I spent an entertaining hour this morning contemplating the economics of growing Shiitake mushrooms. (the tennis court would be Ideal) A friend of a friend thinks we ought to plant Paw Paw trees.* A very good friend wants to transplant some of the struggling Ostrich Ferns (the area next to the drive is simply too dry on average these years) down by the pond. They make the best fiddleheads it would seem. Though, then I might not get that trip to the deepest backwoods of Maine in the spring…not that we ever have time.
I wonder if Goldenseal or American Ginseng could grow here?
Is there perhaps a new direction somewhere in all these ideas? A century ago it was dairy cows, today New England farming relies on the local, the slightly odd, the high value as a supplement to other income streams. It is an interesting avenue to contemplate. And one h–l of a cliff. But then, there is a winery next door and a flower farm across the street….
*I remain unconvinced about a fruit that possums love and that tastes like banana custard….
Acair Fearann 
Heh. I’ve been dreaming for absolute years (like, most of my life) that some owner, someday, might just decide to try to do something to make Esperanza pay for at least some of its expenses. Go for it!!!
:)Betsy
No place pays for its expenses even in part. It is only the productivity of the people living on it -value added- that make the money. And the very qualities which define the place making it what is is maybe in the way of its use for economic return. Such is the case,i fear, with Esperanza unless one could somehow create a culture enclave or center so attractive that the very rich would come to stay.
Go for it!
You know, much stranger dreams have born fruit. They take an extraordinary person but then, it is an extraordinary person who is dreaming them.
To AITD’s point; you are right that it is the mind, the sweat equity, and the passion, of man that makes anything go. But there is nothing preventing that passion from taking root and flourishing close to home.