Soil types:

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

Oak and Osage Farm is a turn-key vegetable operation with great potential for pastured poultry. The farm is 7 miles from Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes Region, about an hour west of Ithaca. The farm consists of one deer fenced in parcel measuring 3/4 acre, and an adjacent field just under one acre. There is a 20'x96' high tunnel, 8'x8' walk- in cooler, and barrel root washer. Best of all is the lower vegetable fields have gravity irrigation from a large pond, providing 10 pounds of pressure to run drip or wobbler-style irrigation systems. The farm has been in operation for 7 years and has various crates, propagation trays, and irrigation equipment, in addition to tillage implements for a category 1 tractor.

2020 was the first year of non- commercial production after operating as a primarily market and CSA- based farm from 2014 to 2019. After so many years of work, the landowner and farmer would rather see the fields continue to produce as opposed to going fallow. 

There is currently heavy weed pressure in certain sections of the vegetable fields, primarily lamb's quarters and palmer amaranth. Tarping or correctly- timed cover cropping and tilling will break the weed cycles.

Farm history / past uses of the property:

The property, like most country land, was once farmed long ago. Prior to 2014, the farm had not been used for commercial agriculture for at least 50-75 years.

The current operation was started from scratch by a first- generation young farmer in 2014. Starting with a one- acre parcel and growing to its current state over the course of several years, Oak & Osage Farm was producing vegetables on 2 acres and serving a 52 member CSA by 2017, in addition to supplying local restaurants on a weekly basis. 

The farm downsized by not offering CSA shares after 2017 and scaling back the amount of acres cultivated.

At present, the farmer/ landowner is no longer able to pursue commercial production. The fields are fertile and available for good stewardship.

Infrastructure and equipment:

• Fencing
• Water access
• Barns or other facilities for storage of equipment, livestock, and crops
• Equipment available for sale or lease
• Electrical Access

Fencing description:

3/4 acre intensive vegetable parcel. Fenced in with 7' deer fence and chicken wire at the base.

High tunnel sides are protected with bird netting to keep birds out of the tunnel

Water access description:

Pond roughly 70'x50'x15' deep. Gas pump sends water to the high tunnel. Buried water line delivers water to lower vegetable fields ~600 feet away, providing 10 pounds of pressure for gravity irrigation of both vegetable plots

Barns/structures description:

20'x96' high tunnel, consists of 4 30" wide by 84' long raised beds. Cables run for trelising tomatoes and other crops

20'x12' propagation greenhouse

8'x8' walk- in cooler

Small barn/ shop for tractor and tools

Equipment description:

45 hp Kubota 4x4 tractor with loader, Ag tires

Many tillage and mowing implements including:

5 shank chisel plow

2 bottom plow

Heavy duty subsoiler

6' notched disc harrow

8' cultipacker

6' rotary mower (brush hog)

6' spring shank cultivator

Hopper seeder/ fertilizer spreader (3pt hitch/ PTO operated)

Bed shaper & mulch layer implement 

Types of crops permitted to be produced on the property:

Types of livestock permitted on the property:

Livestock/crops description :

Not much pasture for grazing large ruminants- pigs or goats would be possible, albeit in not very large numbers

Pastured poultry is probably best suited for this property. There is about 9 acres of open land, including the almost 2 acres of vegetable fields.

Tenure options:

Price for lease per acre:

0

Description of tenure options:

Given the uncertain times, 1 year leases are preferred, and although the farm may be for sale in the future, there is no lease-to-own option yet

Landowner's main preference would be for a farmer to have the opportunity to pursure their agricultural passion. Maintaining the tax breaks through the agricultural exemption would be compensation enough at this point in time. 

Conservation status:

No

Current land zoning:

Agricultural

Is the property located in a NY Agricultural District?:

Yes

Preferred farming method:

Preferences and restrictions on agricultural activities:

Since it's inception, the farm has adhered to organic guidelines despite never pursuing official certification. While all animal feeds or seeds need not be certified organic, only organically approved soil amendments, fertilizers, and sprays are permissible. Organically approved mulches, amendments, and fertilizers are all available within an hour radius of the farm.

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?:

Any additional information about this property:

As mentioned earlier, the farm is located in the Finger Lakes region of upstate NY, 7 miles from Keuka Lake. This website designates Steuben county as Southern Tier for some reason, so just want to clarify the farm's location.

Anything else you may want to know, feel free to reach out