garden club

Minnesota Mato · August 29, 2012

I was asked to give a presentation on tomatoes to a local garden club and explain what differant things I did with them. All were ladies between 50-80 years old and most were farmers wifes. They were so open minded, asked tons of questions and took notes, we really connected. When they finally left after 2 1/2 hours I started getting phone calls from them about how much they appreciated my presentation. Lastly I received a call from a lady that said she was a widow on a farm and had acres of land that I should use for a garden for free. Then she took it a step further and said no one at their farmers market was selling tomatoes and she wanted me to plant crops to sell at the farmers market and use the money for my childrens college. She was talking about up to 4 acres for nothing and she would have it tilled for free also. I am a little taken back, not sure what to think or where to start. She is very geniune and sweet, I'm just not sure how to plant that much land or even what to plant. very strange day!!

saltmarsh · August 29, 2012

Sounds like you made an impression on her. I hope other members who have similar growing conditions to your area will give some suggestions. Best of luck. Claud

dustdevil · August 29, 2012

I wouldn't call your day strange, I'd call it wonderful! Productive farm land rents for $100-$200 an acre here in the North due to the corn boom. I suggest that you offer her rent/free veggies in return for use of the land and make a written agreement with her. That way, nobody in her family will get angry that you took advantage of an elderly senior and kick you off the land while you're in the midst of growing. She might have given power of attorney to a family member. You can always start with a smaller piece such as an acre. If you want to try it, I would get at least one soil sample analyzed. With gas at nearly $4 a gallon, you have to figure out if driving back and forth every day to the property is doable. Lastly, if it's a drought stricken year, how will you water your plants?

koshki · August 29, 2012

I'm wondering if your first clue is "widow"...

Deborah · August 30, 2012

I'd say you've been blessed ! Wow !

Minnesota Mato · August 30, 2012

I think I will meet with her sometime this week just to look at things. I am glad I will have all winter to figure things out. I will be going from carefree crossbreder to actually having a plan and goals. I will be doing alot of reading! Good thoughts and advice, thankyou

rockhound · August 30, 2012

Not sure what I would do but I do envy you. Such a deal.
Yes, if she has children or is in poor health, you need a plan for "just in case".

August 29, 2012	#1
Minnesota Mato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: minnesota Posts: 175	garden club I was asked to give a presentation on tomatoes to a local garden club and explain what differant things I did with them. All were ladies between 50-80 years old and most were farmers wifes. They were so open minded, asked tons of questions and took notes, we really connected. When they finally left after 2 1/2 hours I started getting phone calls from them about how much they appreciated my presentation. Lastly I received a call from a lady that said she was a widow on a farm and had acres of land that I should use for a garden for free. Then she took it a step further and said no one at their farmers market was selling tomatoes and she wanted me to plant crops to sell at the farmers market and use the money for my childrens college. She was talking about up to 4 acres for nothing and she would have it tilled for free also. I am a little taken back, not sure what to think or where to start. She is very geniune and sweet, I'm just not sure how to plant that much land or even what to plant. very strange day!!

August 29, 2012	#4
koshki Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Grosse Pointe Shores, MI Posts: 127	I'm wondering if your first clue is "widow"... __________________ Katherine

August 29, 2012	#2
saltmarsh Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: 2 miles south of Yoknapatawpha Zone 7b Posts: 662	Sounds like you made an impression on her. I hope other members who have similar growing conditions to your area will give some suggestions. Best of luck. Claud

August 29, 2012	#3
dustdevil Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: WI, USA Zone4 Posts: 1,887	I wouldn't call your day strange, I'd call it wonderful! Productive farm land rents for $100-$200 an acre here in the North due to the corn boom. I suggest that you offer her rent/free veggies in return for use of the land and make a written agreement with her. That way, nobody in her family will get angry that you took advantage of an elderly senior and kick you off the land while you're in the midst of growing. She might have given power of attorney to a family member. You can always start with a smaller piece such as an acre. If you want to try it, I would get at least one soil sample analyzed. With gas at nearly $4 a gallon, you have to figure out if driving back and forth every day to the property is doable. Lastly, if it's a drought stricken year, how will you water your plants?

August 30, 2012	#5
Deborah Riding The Crazy Train Again Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Marcos, California Posts: 2,562	I'd say you've been blessed ! Wow !

August 30, 2012	#7
rockhound Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 285	Not sure what I would do but I do envy you. Such a deal. Yes, if she has children or is in poor health, you need a plan for "just in case".