FEATURED JOB OPENING: Ranch Managers - Smyrna, SC

Ranch Managers

I am seeking a couple to manage a farm/ranch in Smyrna, SC, about 45 miles southwest of downtown Charlotte on a partnership basis. A home is included at no cost to the Managers. No salary will be paid, but for the first two years the Managers will receive 100% of net income, after which profits will be shared 50/50. The farm is probably 6 months to one year from being in the black, but some income from egg sales will be available to the Managers from day one. Earnings potential from farming activities alone are $100,000+.

We are also developing the farm as a site for family outings, parties, school tours, weddings, etc. We have conducted a few events ourselves, including Family Farm Days and an Arts and Crafts Festival, but with very limited success. If the couple chooses to accept responsibility for planning, promoting, and conducting farm events, the same 50/50 profit sharing arrangement will be in effect.

If the couple chooses to concentrate only on farming, other candidates will be considered for event management.

The farm is 92 acres, with about 30 acres in 4 fenced pastures, about 7 acres of fertile crop land, and the remainder wooded. We presently have about 50 Kiko goats, of which about half are registered, 15 pureblood Berkshire pigs (4 are registered), about 30 Khaki Campbell ducks, 200 laying hens, 100 chicks and pullets, 2 miniature horses, 4 Great Pyrenees Live Stock Guard Dogs, and two very disagreeable turkeys. We have a pond of about ½ acre for the ducks. We hatch our own chickens (and eventually ducks) in a 300 egg incubator.

I recently planted 1,000 Christmas trees and we have about 20 mature Asian pear trees. We have about 5 acres suitable for a corn maze, pumpkins, or pick-your-own berries or vegetables. Our well and pump is sized to allow small scale crop Irrigation.

All of the animals, except breeding stock, are free range. Our farm is organically oriented with no routine use of antibiotics or hormones. Our ranch moto is “Raising Happy Animals, Naturally”.

The ranch and infrastructure represents an investment of about $650,000. These assets will be available in their entirety to the Managing Couple. The farm requires about 50 hours per week of effort from a dedicated abled-body person. It is possible for one member of the couple to work outside the farm.

The couple may also choose to manage our Agritourism efforts. We are an approved South Carolina Agritourism site and meet all requirements for events and tours. We have a specialized insurance policy that covers us for farm events.

I am constructing two self-guided tour trails. Some of our interpretive signs for the tours are already in place, and they look great. In addition to the animals and plants, we have an Indian mound, Indian grave, an old gold mine, a gold exploration pit, a historic railroad bed, and two free flowing spring. We have a few fruit trees and about 1,000 newly planted Christmas trees. We have additional land available for a corn maze, pumpkins, or pick-your-own berries or vegetables.

Most of our animals are friendly and used to visitors. We have a lot of open land for events. Water and electricity are on site. We are constructing a large pavilion for school tours, meetings, meals, etc.

I am looking for a hand-on partners for these ventures. No salary is involved, but the managing couple will receive all profits for two years to build our clientele and reputation.

I prefer to work on a simple letter of understanding and a handshake, but it the managers feel they need the protection of a legally binding contract, I will certainly agree.

A retired couple would probably be idea for this position since the couple will have to be self-supporting until the events begin producing a profit.