Couple builds $700,000 farm from leased land
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In 2010, Corinne Hansch and Matthew Leon of upstate New York began farming after facing financial hardship and the loss of their home in California.
The couple started with a small plot of leased land, growing vegetables and selling them locally. After losing their initial rental in California, they moved to New York and used land owned by relatives to establish Lovin’ Mama Farm.
The couple focused on building healthy soil through compost and minimal tilling, eventually reaching 12% organic matter, a high level for conventional farming. This allowed them to increase production and sales. Starting with $7,000 from microgreen sales, the farm quickly grew, exceeding $100,000 in revenue within a year. Today, Lovin’ Mama Farm generates nearly $700,000 annually, selling produce at farmers markets, through a greenhouse, and with twelve employees.
Hansch and Leon recently opened Lovin' Mama Kitchen in downtown Amsterdam, New York, using crowdfunding, grants, and a revitalization program to fund a certified kitchen, market, and café. The shop aims to address limited food access in the area and offers affordable options, including accepting food assistance payments.
