Services

Overwhelmed by your land and don’t know where to start?

Most new farmers and homesteaders drown in research, waste seasons chasing the wrong priorities, and end up stuck. You don’t need more information—you need a clear plan and a guide who’s been there.

I help landowners cut through the noise and turn potential into a thriving, resilient property.

Apply to Work With Me

My Story

I’ve spent the last 19 years working with land—running a farm, tending a homestead, building soil and ecosystems, growing my own food, and guiding clients through the same work. I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed, pulled in too many directions, and unsure where to begin. I’ve wasted seasons chasing the wrong priorities and felt the frustration of wanting the land to thrive without clarity on what to prioritize.

That experience led to what I now call the Adaptive Design framework. It cuts through the noise, creates clarity, and helps you align your goals with your actual capacity—so your land, and your life, can genuinely flourish.

My first laying hens at age 20.

The Adaptive Design Journey

1: Find Your North Star

We clarify your Guiding Context and assess your site so you finally know what to focus on—and what to ignore.

2: Your Custom Roadmap

I help you design a step-by-step plan tailored to your land and your vision. No generic templates—just a plan that works for you.

3: Ongoing Support

As you implement, I stay alongside you to adapt, troubleshoot, and keep momentum—so your vision actually takes root.

Who I Work With

  • Homesteaders who feel stuck
  • Farmers designing for resilience and productivity
  • Landowners who want their property to nourish them
  • Leaders building projects that serve people and land

This work requires long-term commitment and willingness to observe, revise, and build systems that last. It’s thorough, not fast. Hands-on, not hands-free.

If you’re looking for quick fixes or expecting answers without your full involvement, this isn’t a fit.

I work with a limited number of clients at a time. If reading this feels clarifying rather than discouraging, let’s talk.

Apply to Work With Me

What to Expect

You will get:

  • Clear priorities and a long-term strategy grounded in systems, not tools or trends
  • A context-specific roadmap you can actually execute with your time, energy, and resources
  • The ability to think like a designer, so you can make confident decisions well into the future

You won’t get:

  • Cookie-cutter plans that ignore your context
  • Overwhelm dressed up as strategy
  • Shiny language without practical substance

Ready to Begin?

This work is a serious investment—for people who are ready to commit the time, energy, and resources to bring their land to life. If you’re ready, fill out the form below to tell me about your land and your goals.

Start Your Project

Trusted by families, farmers, and community leaders alike

Don’t just take my word for it—here’s what clients are saying after working with me to bring clarity and momentum to their land.

“An unforgettable lesson in food’s journey you wouldn’t find anywhere else.”

“For 7 years, Mark and Allison led our elementary school teaching garden and kitchen program with patience and professionalism. Their ‘soil to table’ approach culminated in incredible experiences, like a meal the students shared featuring corn muffins (from corn they grew, dried, and milled!), honey from our bees, an egg frittata with garden vegetables, fresh-pressed grape juice, and sweet potato fries—all from the garden. It was unforgettable.”
— Mary Jo Boone, CEO, Bedford Area Family YMCA

“He certainly is a trusted guide.” 

“Mark has a deep well of knowledge, extensive contacts, and very grounded, personal experience in applying principles to the realities of one’s own property, family, climate, finances, and capabilities. He listens closely, probes sensitively, expresses himself clearly, and shares his views and advice generously without being dogmatic. He certainly is a trusted guide.”

—Brent Bailey, West Virginia

“With his guidance, we’ve developed a decade-long roadmap.” 

“We’ve been working with Mark for nearly two years, and it’s been an incredible experience. Mark’s expertise has been invaluable in shaping our vision. One of Mark’s greatest strengths is his ability to anticipate questions and provide thorough, well-thought-out resources. With his guidance, we’ve developed a decade-long roadmap. Beyond his professionalism, we feel as though we’ve gained a friend. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, thoughtful, and passionate partner, Mark and Mountain Run Permaculture are the best choice. We can’t recommend them highly enough!”

—Dane Rickett, Virginia

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the process take?

How long does the process take?
Designs unfold over a 12–14 month engagement. That’s the timeframe needed to clarify your Guiding Context, through site assessment, skill, knowledge and capacity building into a full Adaptive Design plan you can actually implement at a sustainable pace.

For landowners who aren’t ready for a full engagement but still want direction, I also offer a limited number of one-day on-site consultation. This is a focused strategy session guided by my Getting Clarity exercise, designed to help you cut through overwhelm and leave with clear priorities and next steps. Some people pursue one or more of these to help them apporach their project in a more DIY/piecemeal approach. PLEASE NOTE: I only take on 4-6 one-day consultations per calendar year.

Most people opt for a longer-term engagement to ensure they have a cohesive, whole systems plan that can be developed over 5-10+ years.

What do I get from a one-day consultation?

What do I get from a one-day consultation?
Before I arrive, you’ll complete a Getting Clarity exercise that helps you clarify your context, priorities, and goals. On-site, we’ll walk your land together, work through your self-identified priorities, and I’ll provide tailored recommendations you can act on immediately. You’ll leave with a prioritized action plan, strategy and clarity on what to do first.

How much does it cost?

The one-day consultation is $2000 + travel, with a $200 deposit to hold your date.

Multi-month Adaptive Design Partnerships typically range from $8k–$60+k, depending on the scope and complexity of your project.

How do I know if this is a fit for me?

If you’re overwhelmed by possibilities and unsure where to start, this work is designed for you. I only take on a handful of projects each year, so I look for landowners who are serious about investing in their property, ready to engage in a structured process over 12-14 months, and committed to stewarding their land for the long run.

I do not work with people who want quick fixes, magic bullets, or expect to have their dream project come to fruition “next season”. 

If you’re committed to stewarding your land according to a context and capacity specific plan over the next 5, 10, 20+ years, then this may be the right fit for you.

Your Land Has Potential. Let’s Unlock It.

I only take on a handful of projects each year. If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start moving forward, now’s the time.

NEXT STEPS:

  1. Click the button below to complete my inquiry form
  2. I will assess if you are a strong fit for my process and respond within 5 business days to confirm and schedule a clarity call–typically 3-6 weeks away from the time of my first reply.
  3. We will meet over Zoom to discuss your vision, clarify my process, and see if we are a good fit for working together.

Fill Out the Inquiry Form