You might have recently heard about the bed-and-breakfast in Maine that will go to the person who writes the most convincing essay about why they want the place. Now, cheese enthusiasts the world over will have a chance at their own cheesy dreams. Leslie and Paul Spell, owners of Humble Heart Farms in Alabama are looking for interested parties who can win the farm with a well-written essay.
The couple estimates their farm is worth about $350,000 and that few people who are interested in taking over can afford that price. They would also like to avoid anyone going into debt. So, inspired by the essay contest in Maine, they cooked up one of their own. The essay contest includes an entry fee of $150, and the contest has to reach 2,500 entries to cover all the costs. The Spells plan to use the money to move to Costa Rica, but the contest winner will receive a check for $20,000 to help with start up costs.
Interested? Here’s some relevant information:
- Contestants must be at least 19 years old.
- You do not have to have any previous cheesemaking experience. Contest winners will receive training before they take over the farm.
- Essays have to be 200 words max. (For reference, this article just hit the 200 word mark)
- The contest starts May 1 and ends October 1. The winner will be announced on October 15.
The farm itself is 20 acres and debt free. In addition to the land, the winner will receive equipment, operations, and a goat herd! Can’t forget about the goats. The new owner would be making farmstead goat cheese, which means all operations are limited to the farm itself.
Check out the website for the complete list of rules written in legalese and instructions on how to enter. You can submit your entry online or mail it in.
For anyone now craving goat cheese, might we recommend a couple of recipes from the culture library? Try an appetizer, crusty bread topped with goat cheese, strawberries, and balsamic. Or explore the realm of topping your pizza with chèvre.
Happy writing (and eating)!
Gabrielle Roman
Gabrielle Roman is earning her Master's in Publishing and Writing at Emerson College in Boston. She is originally from Kansas City and misses the BBQ but the Thai food is good consolation. Her favorite hobby is cuddling with her puppy.
