Cincinnatus, NY, Cortland County
Acres Available
Open Tillable Acres
Wooded (or other) Acres
Condition & Current Use
This former small dairy was converted to a silvopasture operation in 2018, and since that time has hosted a small flock (12-40) of Shropshire sheep grazing across 15 acres including 3 acres of mostly-cider apple trees and just over 2 acres of chestnuts, alongside wilder treed pastures and open fields that are also hayed each year by a neighboring farm. The property includes an 1800s timber frame barn; a timber frame shop/barn; a pole barn; and a 4 bedroom/2 bathroom 1850s farmhouse (renovated around 1980). An 8 foot woven-wire deer fence was installed in 2019 and contains 19 acres of orchard, hay field and wild space. We are interested in selling or leasing the property to someone with a similar vision for the potential that is here!
Soil Types
Farm History & Past Use
Small-herd dairy (~12 cows) until 1980. Small-herd beef 1980-2012. Silvopasture established in 2018: Shropshire sheep grazing system in apple and chestnut rows as well as in open pasture. 450 apple trees (combination of 20+ cider and dessert varieties) established in 2018 and 2019. 200 chestnut trees established in 2018, 2019, and 2020. A neighbor currently hays the pasture each spring (first cutting only) before sheep graze. Woods were last logged in 2018 under the previous owner.
Tenure Options
We are interested and willing to mentor and support someone transitioning onto the farm. If you are excited about the prospect of working with or owning a diversified orchard with a deer fence and potential for lots more, get in touch!
Price for Lease Per Acre
Sale Price or Estimated Market Value
Are you willing to mentor a new or beginning farmer?
Do you require a farmer who qualifies for agricultural assessment?
Production Preferences
Livestock / Crops Description
We are open to a broad spectrum of production practices on the property, with the only constraint being that we would like to see the orchard maintained - so livestock would need to be managed so that they don't damage the trees. (We are happy to offer support and mentorship on this! We have lots of experience with tree damage from livestock, and lessons learned for better management.) Other crops could be grown within the orchard or on the other tillable acreage on the property (6 acres relatively flat and inside the deer fence; another 8 acres with mixed accessibility and grade). Maple production would be limited given the makeup of the forest (mainly beech, basswood, hemlock and - until lately - ash).
Crops Permitted
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Vegetables
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Fruits
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Flowers or Ornamentals
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Grains
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Hay
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Maple
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Other Crops
Livestock Permitted
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Cattle - Beef
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Equine
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Goats/Sheep
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Pigs
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Poultry
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Bees
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Other Livestock
Preferred Farming Method
Farm Infrastructure
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Barns - Equipment Storage
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Barns - Livestock
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Electrical access
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Equipment
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Farmer housing
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Fencing
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Water access
Equipment
47 hp Kubota tractor (~200 hours) with dirt bucket and tine bucket; 6' brush hog; manure spreader
Fencing
8' woven wire perimeter fence around 19 acres on south side of property; lots of electronet fence with solar charger for daily/regular paddock moves.
Water Access
one well on the property with hydrants at each barn.
Farmer Housing
1850s farm house, 4 bedroom/2 bath, 1,680 sq ft. renovated around 1980. new hot water heater (2022), new well pump (2023), new washer/drier (2018), new wood stove (2022)
Additional Property Information
This is a rural residential area; not everyone farms, but there is support for farming and farmer networks who share resources and trade work. Small scale farming on this property is unlikely to run into restrictions from neighbors, or from zoning (there is none in the town).
