• eli@tyeshouse.org
  • 330 Changebridge RD Suite 101 Pine Brook, NJ 07058
Become A Local Food Hero
Become A Local Food Hero

Transform Your Unused Land into a Valuable Asset

The Local Food Heroes Land Partnership Program

Are you a landowner with underutilized acreage? Turn your vacant land into a significant asset while supporting veteran farmers through our innovative 5-year partnership program.
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"We Build Value. You Keep the Improvements."

Our unique proposition is simple: Provide us with a 5-year lease at no cost, and we’ll transform your land with permanent agricultural improvements that become your property.

Perfect For:

Religious Organizations with Extra Land

Transform underutilized church grounds into productive gardens that serve as living demonstrations of creation care. Create visible ministry opportunities that support veterans while practicing faithful stewardship of your land resources. Your organization gains valuable property improvements without any maintenance burden, all while supporting community food security as a tangible extension of your mission.

Public & Private Institutions

Convert unused grounds into educational demonstration sites that showcase regenerative agriculture in action. Meet sustainability and community engagement goals simultaneously while creating positive visibility for your organization's community support initiatives. Implement green infrastructure improvements without budget impact and support veteran rehabilitation while enhancing your property value.

Passive Farm Owners

Maintain or qualify for agricultural tax assessment without the demands of actively farming your land. Receive valuable agricultural improvements without direct investment while preserving your property's agricultural character and heritage. Build soil health and property value simultaneously through proven regenerative practices. Support the next generation of farmers while enhancing your long-term asset value.

Municipalities & Educational Organizations

Turn municipal open space into productive community assets that serve multiple public needs. Create hands-on agricultural education opportunities that connect residents with food systems and environmental stewardship. Demonstrate regenerative land management practices that improve ecological health. Fulfill multiple community service objectives simultaneously while developing innovative public-private partnership models.

How It Works

Year 1: Foundation

  • We establish specialty garlic production on your land
  • We qualify your property for valuable NRCS agricultural programs
  • We handle all planting, maintenance, and harvesting operations
  • Professional soil improvement begins enhancing your property value

Year 2: Infrastructure

  • We secure government funding for a permanent hoop house on your property
  • We install basic irrigation systems that remain after our lease ends
  • We implement cover cropping and soil building techniques
  • You gain valuable agricultural structures at zero cost to you

Year 3: Operational Infrastructure

  • We develop funding for agricultural structures serving day-to-day farm operations
  • We establish storage and processing facilities to enhance production efficiency
  • We begin implementing more advanced conservation practices
  • Your property gains significant permanent infrastructure improvements

Year 4: Agricultural Expansion

  • We scale market garden operations with veteran farmers
  • We implement pollinator habitats and additional conservation practices
  • For suitable properties, we begin silvopasture system development
  • Production reaches commercial scale with established market channels

Year 5: Optimization & Transition

  • We refine all systems for maximum productivity
  • We document all improvements and their maintenance requirements
  • We prepare transition options for continued partnership
  • All improvements remain as permanent assets on your property

Your Benefits as a Landowner

Financial Advantages

  • Property Enhancement: Permanent agricultural infrastructure at no cost to you
  • Tax Benefits: Potential qualification for agricultural property tax assessment
  • Zero Risk: No financial investment required from you
  • Long-term Value: All improvements remain your property after our partnership
  • Multiple Options: Programs tailored to your specific property size and features

Land Improvement

  • Professional soil building and management
  • Sustainable land use that enhances rather than depletes your property
  • Biodiversity improvement through pollinator habitats
  • Implementation of conservation practices that benefit your land
  • For suitable properties, silvopasture systems that combine trees with agricultural use

Community Impact

  • Support veteran rehabilitation and agricultural training
  • Contribute to local food security initiatives
  • Association with the award-winning Local Food Heroes Program
  • Create pathways for veterans to establish agricultural careers

Limited Availability

We select only 2-3 new properties annually for this program. Schedule your property assessment today to see if your land qualifies.

Schedule Now!

NRCS Programs We Can Access For Your Property

We have specific experience implementing these valuable NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) programs that can bring permanent improvements to your land:

High Tunnel System Initiative

  • Season extension structures that become your permanent property
  • Typical funding: $36,000-$81,000 for structures sized 4,000-9,000 sq ft
  • Enables year-round growing opportunities
  • Significantly increases property value and agricultural potential

Pollinator Habitat Program

  • Creation of dedicated pollinator zones to support crop production
  • Strategic planting of native flowering species
  • Enhanced biodiversity and ecological resilience
  • Beautiful landscape features that improve property aesthetics

Conservation Cover Program

  • Establishes protective plant cover that prevents erosion
  • Improves property aesthetics and ecological health
  • Supports crop production through improved soil health
  • Contributes to sustainable land management

Composting Facilities Program

  • Funding for compost infrastructure development
  • Creates valuable soil amendments from waste materials
  • Reduces dependency on purchased fertilizers
  • Improves overall soil health and crop quality

Mulch Systems and Cover Cropping

  • Implementation of soil-protecting mulch systems
  • Establishment of cover crops for soil building
  • Reduced water requirements and weed pressure
  • Improved soil structure and microbial activity

Irrigation Efficiency Program

  • Funding for water-saving irrigation systems
  • Reduces water costs and improves crop quality
  • Enhances property infrastructure for the long term
  • Supports sustainable water management

Fencing Assistance (EQIP)

  • Property boundary definition and protection
  • Wildlife management capabilities
  • Protection of sensitive environmental areas
  • Support for future livestock integration

Silvopasture Development

  • Combines trees with agricultural production
  • Creates multiple revenue streams from the same land
  • Enhances long-term property value and sustainability
  • Provides shade, windbreaks, and habitat diversity

Additional programs may be available depending on your specific property characteristics. We handle all application processes, implementation, and reporting requirements.

What We're Looking For

  • 1-10+ acres of open land (even 1 acre qualifies for our urban/suburban pathway)
  • Water access (or potential for well development)
  • Reasonable proximity to our operations
  • 5-year commitment to the program (with extension options)
  • Landowners interested in sustainable land improvement
Schedule a Call

Hear From Our Partners

"I had 2 acres sitting unused for years. The Local Food Heroes program not only put it to good use, but I now have a high tunnel and improved soil that's increased my property value substantially. The veterans working the land bring a special energy to the place."
James R.
Warren County
"The transformation of my field has been remarkable. From unused space to productive gardens with infrastructure I could never have afforded on my own. And knowing it's helping veterans makes it even more worthwhile."
Sarah T.
Hunterdon County

The Local Food Heroes Difference

While these agricultural programs are available to many, navigating the application process and successfully implementing them requires expertise. Our non-profit brings:

Proven Track Record

Established agricultural program at Veterans Haven North

Grant Experience

Successful history securing NRCS and other agricultural funding

Technical Expertise

Professional agricultural training and implementation

Veteran Focus

Unique mission combining veteran rehabilitation with sustainable agriculture

Full-Service Approach

We handle every aspect from application to implementation

Partnership Extension Options

After the initial 5-year development period, we offer several options:

  • Extended Partnership: Continue with a modified lease structure
  • Transition to Rental: Convert to a nominal rental arrangement based on established infrastructure
  • Profit-Sharing: Explore revenue-sharing models based on established operations
  • Purchase Option: We maintain first right of refusal if you decide to sell the property
  • Complete Handover: You retain permanent improvements with our 1-year transition support

All agreed-upon permanent improvements remain with the property according to our detailed agreement, while we maintain ownership of the agricultural business we've created.

Frequently Asked Questions

For Religious Organizations

How does this align with our ministry mission?
This partnership creates multiple ministry opportunities: feeding the hungry through food donations, supporting veteran rehabilitation, demonstrating creation care through regenerative agriculture, and utilizing church resources for community benefit—all without requiring your staff time or financial investment.

For Passive Farm Owners

Yes. Our active farming operation on your property typically qualifies for agricultural assessment, potentially reducing your property tax burden significantly. We handle all documentation and certification requirements.
At the 5-year mark, you have full flexibility as the landowner. If you wish to take over operations yourself, we provide a 1-year transition period with paid mentorship to ensure you’re fully comfortable managing the agricultural systems we’ve established. If you prefer us to continue operating, we can discuss new terms that work for both parties. This 5-year milestone is important because it allows us to access new rounds of funding for additional improvements if we continue the partnership.
The agreement requires a full 5-year commitment to ensure we can complete the planned improvements and establish viable agricultural systems. Early termination options exist only for specific circumstances outlined in the agreement and include appropriate compensation for investments made and future crop values. We structure our agreements to protect both parties while ensuring the program’s agricultural mission can be fulfilled.
Our agreements include protections for both parties in the unlikely event of early termination. In case of early termination, we retain the right to remove all non-permanent structures and equipment, including high tunnels which are designed to be dismantled and relocated. We also retain harvest rights for all planted crops and receive fair compensation for soil improvements and other investments we’ve made. Most importantly, we maintain ownership of the business we’ve created, including customer relationships, market channels, and operational systems. Early termination fees are structured to ensure we can relocate our operations and honor our commitments to the veterans in our program.
The program is designed to minimize landowner costs. You provide the land, and we cover operational expenses, including seeds, equipment, labor, and maintenance. Property taxes remain your responsibility, though many partners qualify for agricultural assessment reductions that significantly lower tax burden.
As a landowner, you maintain ownership of the land throughout the partnership. Our agreement clearly outlines which portions of your property are included in the operation and which remain solely under your control. You’ll receive regular updates on the farm’s progress and are welcome to visit the operations by appointment. While we manage the day-to-day operations, major infrastructure changes will be discussed with you in advance. If you decide to sell your property during the lease period, our agreement includes a first right of refusal provision giving us the opportunity to purchase the property before it’s offered to outside buyers.

For Institutional Landowners

This program enhances your facility’s environmental footprint while creating educational opportunities and visible community engagement. The agricultural improvements add functional and aesthetic value to your property without requiring your management or financial resources.

For Municipalities & Educational Organizations

This partnership creates public demonstration sites for environmental education while producing food for community benefit. It provides opportunities for hands-on learning about agriculture, conservation, and food systems without requiring dedicated staff or budget allocations. The program can fulfill multiple mandates simultaneously—ecological stewardship, community education, veterans services, and open space management—all through a single initiative that enhances public assets.

Our agreement clearly distinguishes ownership throughout the partnership:

We Own:

  • The agricultural business itself, including all customer relationships and market channels
  • All crops planted and growing on the property
  • All movable equipment and non-permanent structures
  • High tunnels and similar structures (which are designed to be dismantled and relocated)
  • Intellectual property related to the farming operation

You Own:

  • The land itself
  • Permanent in-ground improvements like drainage systems
  • Fixed structures that cannot be reasonably removed (as specified in our agreement)
  • Other permanent improvements as specifically outlined in our detailed agreement

This clear distinction protects both parties’ investments while ensuring transparent expectations.

This is entirely up to you. Some landowners prefer a hands-off approach, leaving operations entirely to our team. Others enjoy learning and participating in various aspects of the farm. We welcome your involvement at whatever level you prefer.

We conduct a thorough assessment of your specific property characteristics to identify which programs offer the best combination of benefits. Factors we consider include soil type, water access, topography, existing vegetation, and your long-term goals for the property.

In most partnerships, no. Our standard model focuses on day-to-day operational visits rather than on-site residence. For certain larger agricultural properties where it makes sense, we may discuss the potential for farm operation structures that include living quarters, but this would only occur with explicit landowner permission and would be specifically outlined in our agreement. Any such structures follow all local codes and regulations and are designed to enhance your property value. These structures remain with the property at the end of our partnership unless otherwise specified and can be repurposed for agricultural storage or other uses.

Veterans working with our program gain valuable agricultural training, meaningful employment, and the opportunity to transition to civilian careers in sustainable agriculture. Your participation directly supports our mission of creating pathways for veterans to establish agricultural businesses and find healing through connection with the land.

Limited Availability

We select only 2-3 new properties annually for this program. Schedule your property assessment today to see if your land qualifies.

Schedule Now!