Soil types:

Description of the property’s current condition and current use(s):

I grow hops for craft brewers and am seeking someone interested in working on and eventually managing the hop yard. The hop yard is 2.5 acres with plans to expand to another 10 acres. I am open to different management, leasing, or partnership options but the land is not for sale. Plenty of additonal acerage that could be used for other ventures if desired. 

Until I built the yard in 2015, the farm had not been in active agricultural use for 50+ years so it has been a slow process of building the yard, rehabilitating the buildings, and collecting the necessary equipment. My interest is in hops but there is lots of other open land that can be used to grow other crops if desired. We have a small orchard that has not been maintainted - other than the occasional pruning - and a local hard cider maker takes the apples. I don't think the farm is currently configured to allow animals but am willing to consider it. 

Farm history / past uses of the property:

The property has been a farm for over one hundred years but, until recently, not actively farmed since the 1960's. Most recently, it was a dairy farm. The passage of the New York State Farm Brewery legislation, coupled with my desire to bring the farm back into operation, spurred my decision to plant hops.  The hops were planted and the trellis was built in the summer of 2015. Currently, the hops are sold to about a dozen different breweries around New York State and New Jersey.

Infrastructure and equipment:

• Water access
• Barns or other facilities for storage of equipment, livestock, and crops
• Electrical Access

Water access description:

I draw water from a pond to irrigate the hops. There is another pond that is also available as a water source.

Barns/structures description:

I have renovated and put into use two small buildings. One houses the irrigation pump, walk-in cooler, and small tools. The other is used to dry the hops. There is a large former dairy barn that is used to store tools and equipment. No farmer housing on the property, but the farm is located in Sharon Springs and not too far from Cobleskill. Housing opportunities could be found there or in Amsterdam a little farther away. 

Types of crops permitted to be produced on the property:

Livestock/crops description :

As stated above, I'm primarily interested in growing hops but am open to other uses for the land. Main goal is to find someone who shares an interest in hop production who could help expand the production. There is plenty of additional acreage that could be used for other ventures. Property does not have any infrastructure for large livestock, but with the use of portable fencing and housing something could be arranged. Open to discussing other ideas and uses. 

Tenure options:

Description of tenure options:

I'm open to different options with managing the hop yard at the core. 

Conservation status:

No

Current land zoning:

Agricultural

Is the property located in a NY Agricultural District?:

Unsure

Preferences and restrictions on agricultural activities:

My hops are grown as naturally as possible. I use integrated pest management and other non-chemical measures whenever possible to manage the common hop yard pests, diseases, and weeds, while using chemical applications when needed.

Do you require a farmer who qualifies for agricultural assessment?:

Are you willing to have the public on the property as a part of the farm business?: