North Carolina State Flower Drawing

Following in the footsteps of this movie-theater owner, this inn keeper, and this goat farmer, one North Carolina farmer is giving away her flower and vegetable farm to someone who can pen an award-winning essay instead of selling it for profit.

Norma Burns, the owner of Bluebird Hill Farm in North Carolina, has organized an essay contest to give away her USDA Certified Organic Farm, which is estimated to be worth $450,000. According to Travel and Leisure , Norma says the farm become too difficult to manage on her own since her husband passed away in 2005. She will confer the farm and $50,000 in cash for transition costs to the couple who can best prove that they have the skill set and desire to run the farm successfully.

Flowerpot, Plant, Flower, Garden, Landscape, Shrub, Land lot, Rural area, Flowering plant, House,

Courtesy of Bluebird Hill Farm

To pick a winner, Norma is asking participants to submit a 200-word essay based on her "Why We Want to Own and Operate Bluebird Hill Farm" prompt. She is also asking candidates to submit a $300 entry fee and resumes in order to prove they possess the necessary farming skills.

"There are so many people who love farming and would really like to make that their life commitment, but there's just no way that they can afford to buy that kind of land and all the equipment you need," the owner told Travel and Leisure. "So, instead of selling it outright, I thought I'd see if there was a way to pay off the mortgage and award the winner with the farm, free and clear."

The winners of the contest will become the owners of everything else on the 12.68 acre property including the 200-year-old barn, the farm's shop, all of the equipment, the chicken coop, the greenhouse, an 85-gallon distiller, and the furnished farmhouse. The property also boasts lavender fields, two ponds, and several pastures.

Plant, Purple, Tree, Lavender, Land lot, Agriculture, House, Shrub, Rural area, Garden,

Courtesy of Bluebird Hill Farm

The owner requests that only "committed couples" enter the essay contest. "Experience has shown that Bluebird Hill Farm cannot be operated successfully by a single individual," Norma writes on the Bluebird Hill Farm website. And at least one person must be between the ages of 25-50, and a permanent resident or citizen of the United States.

If you're interested in owning the farm, couples must enter the Bluebird Hill Farm Essay Contest according to Norma's requirements before June 1.

(h/t Travel and Leisure)

Jessica Leigh Mattern Web Editor Jessica Leigh Mattern is a web editor and writer who covers home, holiday, DIY, crafts, travel, and more lifestyle topics.

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