Nicholas Byrd is requesting $500,000 in funding to start an agricultural operation on 193 acres of family-owned land. He plans to begin with a pumpkin farm to engage the local community. With the funds, he will purchase equipment and restore the soil. Long term, he aims to grow corn for ethanol and eventually establish an entirely renewable energy company producing both wind and solar power. The goal is energy independence and economic revitalization for the region.

1. “There must be a beginning of any great matter; but the
continuing unto the end until it be thoroughly finished yields the
true Glory.”
Sir Francis Drake

2. Land Layout
This land area represents 193.82 acres of
farmable land this has lain fallow & disused for
the past ten years, with slight exceptions for
small gardens & personal growth.
If cleared, this represents at a minimum 100
acres of farmland with access to a water supply
onsite.
This is a satellite view of the location showing
where the original plots were located in quite
some detail. As you can see, they are separated
but likewise within a manageable distance. This
makes it easier to grow multiple crops on a
rotating basis.

3. Property Ownership
• This land is currently owned by Katie Byrd, my
grandmother, who has no interest in selling it to
private investors. She will however sell the land
to me at market value so that it remains within
the Byrd family. There will be no issues acquiring
the property if funding is successful.
• Her direct descendants have no interest in
farming & have planned to sell the land to
commercial interests if she passes away. As she is
in failing health I urge you to keep expediency in
mind.

4. Small beginnings
• If given this grant I intend to first set up a
pumpkin farm, involving several local churches &
businesses to draw people to the farm. It would
be a pick your own two for $5 deal.
• I am including a $200 per acre overhead cost to
account for the necessary fertilizer, pesticide,
herbicide, & setting up wildlife deterrents. I
intend to use wire frame & mesh netting that is
wide enough to allow bee’s but not large birds.

5. Extra advantage
• There are already established bee colonies & I
would introduce a new queen & hive of
pollenating bees to increase the production of
the all flowering produce. The excess honey
would likewise be pasteurized in jars & sold to
local farmers markets & grocery stores if we can
get them interested. Lowe’s Foods has made local
sourcing part of their infrastructure & a hallmark
of the way they do business. I would seek a
partnership with them for the produce.

6. Equipment costs
• As stated before a minimum of $200 per acre
would be required for the proper soil nutrition
meaning $30,000 would be required to bring the
land back to a productive state.
• As the land has long been in disuse there are no
remaining pieces of equipment. I would require
$220,000 dollars to start purchasing the
necessary equipment & supplies as well as
purchasing all licenses, permits, & buildings to
store the equipment.

7. Long term ideas
• Once the farm is operational & self sufficient, which with your grant would happen
within a years time.
• As stated before the first crop would be pumpkins for the local community,
however come spring I would begin to plant corn with the intent to sell it for
ethanol production. This will allow the farm to use the necessary chemicals
without fear of endangering the food supply, as these corn products would only be
converted into fuel. Allowing us to maximize profits & minimize liability.
• When it proves successful this will allow me to purchase more land from
neighbors. Many of them do not have children, or children interested in the
farming business. We are a close knit community & in all there is close to 10,000
acres of farmable land in the area.
• I would continue to produce corn crops for ethanol for a period of ten years. With
the earnings from this I want set up a solar power grid on the available land. With
the rising demand for oil & it’s increasing scarcity, electrical generation is the way
of the future. Given enough financial backing this area could be the premiere
natural energy source in North Carolina without the ecological consequences
associated with fracking & other forms of crust displacement.

8. Endgame
• The final goal of this project is the creation of Byrd’s Natural Energy, a
completely 100% renewable based energy company utilizing an innovative
combination of wind turbines & solar grid technology.
• The hope would be to set an example for our surrounding areas & States
to take up their own energy production so that we are no longer reliant on
foreign sources of energy. An America that produces all of it’s own energy
is a far stronger America than one at the mercy of OPEC & large
monopolized corporations.
• This is an opportunity to create many new jobs for the construction
industry as well as inspiring the local community to revitalize itself. The
only way out of a deep recession is hard work & I am willing to take the
lead. Others will see the benefits & follow.
• This is not just about profits or shares, this is about making our Country
strong once again. America does have enemies & they are strangling us by
controlling our fuel supply; the time has come for a new period of
American Independence, one in which the entire nation will hopefully join
& become participants themselves.

9. Necessary funding
• For this to be possible a grant of $500,000 would allow
me to make this into a reality. Covering all costs &
allowing the purchase of the land.
• It would revitalize the local economy & with your
support renew the American spirit of innovation & our
ancestral calling of self reliance.
• There is nothing here detrimental to the environment
or local wildlife, the forested areas will remain as they
are for oxygen generation.
• If far more funding could be allocated it would be
possible to simultaneously set-up both a wind/solar
farm & an agricultural farm as well.

10. "Sic Parvis Magna"
• Whatever decision you make, make sure it’s the right one. One you
can be proud of as you continue on your life’s journey. America will
never collapse as long as there are men & women hardy enough to
support it. I am asking for your trust & faith with the full intention
to keep both. The higher the investment amount, the more quickly
things can be done to jumpstart the local economy. I thank you for
your time & patience in being presented this & hope to know your
decision soon.
• Future generations will thank you for making the right choice in
supporting this venture. The future is, after all, all that we have. I
want to leave a new kind of legacy to the World, one of prosperity
& innovation, harmony with nature, all while still enjoying a great
standard of living. All great things come from small beginnings.
• I thank you for your time.

11. Contact Information
• Nicholas Brent Byrd
8406 Atkins Road
Mebane, NC
27302
• Follow @apoeticodyssey
• Friend facebook.com/skornenicholas
• (336) 562-2187