Jonathan Vantman

Though I didn't grow up in a farming family, I love growing plants, and it has always amazed me to know where food comes from. I started growing vegetables in pots in high school, later taking a pick-axe to my front yard and hacking out a small garden. The garden has grown every year since and now I even have a small flock of laying hens in the back.

After graduating with a degree in Plant Science from Cornell University, I worked for Row 7, a seed company focused on breeding crops for flavor. I also worked at a small farm in Ossining, NY, improving greenhouse operations and designing a system for pastured egg production. I have also gained experience growing mushrooms and am involved in a startup growing gourmet mushrooms for restaurants.

My dream is to own a homestead which would be both my home and business. I want to grow most of my own food, including chickens and cows for eggs, dairy, and meat. I believe that intensive organic farming at a small scale can be profitable with the right marketing and a direct-to-consumer business model.

I am looking to create and manage a market garden near my home in Stamford to gain experience. I've gained a lot of knowledge and experience in the field of market gardening since graduating college, and with the right opportunity, I believe I can start a successful business and move towards my ultimate goal of living off the land.