“I needed guidance, community and a compassionate ear for all my newbie questions. I found all of that and more while working with Tracy”-– Bess Brownlee, Southbound Flowers
“I will always remember the biggest impact for me of that conversation as feeling like I was seen, supported, and trusted to be capable in what I set out to do.” –-Evelyn Langley, dirtbaby farm
At County Rail we strongly believe in sharing information between farmers, beginning and experienced, and I have been on each end of that relationship. I can’t value enough the farmers who have been willing to share their knowledge with me. in an effort to continue that cycle and value my gained knowledge and information at the same time, I do some consulting for farmers or farmer-dreamers. If you’d like in depth information about how we do what we do and the tools we use to help us do it, I’m available to go over a variety of subjects, including:
– Crop Planning
– Record keeping
– Small business / Self-employment financial management
– Excel spreadsheets
– Quickbooks
– Employee paperwork & legal hiring
– GAP (Food Safety) paperwork and certification
– Organic paperwork and certification
– Small tools / equipment (BCS and attachments, Greens Harvester)
– Soil Test analysis
– Value added products and branding
– Grants (specifically NRCS and GTA) and KIVA loans
I offer one free brief teaching session (whether that’s an email or phone call). Beyond that, I ask an hourly consult fee of $60. Minimum of $30 for partial hour consult.
We are also happy to host you for a farm tour. Tours usually last about an hour and are a full walk around of our space and answering any questions you might have. We ask $60 for farm tours.
Feel free to contact me, Tracy, anytime via the “contact” page on this website, send an email to countyrailfarm@gmail.com, or give me a ring at 406-207-7299. No surprise, I’m most available November through March.
For more mentors, visit CFAC’s Farm Link website and click on the “Mentor” page for more information and the “Listings” link in the top left corner for a map of mentors (look for green icons).
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Words from folks I’ve had the pleasure of working with:
When I decided to create a small CSA on leased, urban land with absolutely no money and no equipment, I felt 100% determined and 100% out of my mind. Sitting down with Tracy helped me to hone in on my ideas and hash out the specifics of how it would all work. We talked through legalities of starting a small business, crop planning for weekly yields from a tiny piece of land, soil fertility, veggie transport and distribution, and much much more. Working through these things with Tracy was exhilarating for me because honing in on the specifics and writing it all down literally brought my feverish farm dream into reality. I will always remember the biggest impact for me of that conversation as feeling like I was seen, supported, and trusted to be capable in what I set out to do. Tracy generously shared her farming knowledge with me in a way that was incredibly affirming. She really allowed my questions to guide the conversation, offering pragmatic and creative solutions while drawing out my own confidence about the answers I already had.
–Evelyn Langley, dirtbaby farm // a tiny, feisty CSA in philadelphia, pa
As a new farmer, I was daunted by many aspects of establishing my micro flower farm in Montana. There are so many facets that go into cultivating a healthy farm and business, and I was starting from square one. I needed guidance, community and a compassionate ear for all my newbie questions. I found all of that and more while working with Tracy of County Rail Farm. During our consulting sessions, she patiently and graciously fielded all of my questions, from taxes and business paperwork to finding my sales avenues, building a good reputation in the community, and everything in-between. It is often hard to ask for help and be vulnerable about what we don’t know, but Tracy’s enthusiastic and knowledgeable approach never left me feeling foolish or inadequate. She is passionate about seeing new farmers succeed and has the experience to help your business and operation grow.
— Bess Brownlee, Southbound Flowers // Florence, Montana