Springfield Center, NY, Otsego County
Acres Available
Open Tillable Acres
Wooded (or other) Acres
Condition & Current Use
Some of the pasture land is currently used by Sleeping Lion Farm to raise cattle in a rotational grazing system. We are actively improving the farm – renovating barns, building fences, installing water lines, adding electric access, etc. – as part of a multi-year transition from a conventional dairy to an organic, diversified livestock farm.
Soil Types
Farm History & Past Use
Previously a conventional dairy. We are transitioning all cropland on the property to permanently fenced pasture to support our growing grassfed beef operation.
Tenure Options
I am offering a short-term (1-2 year) opportunity for beginning farmers to access shared farmland and equipment.
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're open to sharing farmland with any enterprise that makes sense in a short-term tenure opportunity, and that will not constrain our beef operation.
Crops Permitted
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Vegetables
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Flowers or Ornamentals
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Grains
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Hay
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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
54hp Kubota tractor
Brush hog
Truck w/ utility trailer & livestock trailer
Fencing
One large barnyard with permanent cattle fencing; Permanent cattle fencing in progress on 60-acre field; Older barbed wire fencing on other pasture fields
Water Access
Mountain spring-fed system to reach all fields in progress; Well access near farmhouses; Creek access in multiple fields
Farmer Housing
On-farm housing is not currently available (as of October 2023). However, there are multiple rented houses on the property and we expect one or more of these homes to be available to rent in 2024.
Additional Property Information
We prefer to avoid enterprises that involve perennial crops or significant permanent infrastructure investments.
Is the Property Conserved
Current Land Zoning
Is the property located in a NY Agricultural District?
Can the public be on the property as a part of the farm business?
Additional Information About This Property
We are tenants on this property, with rights to sublet the property to other producers. We are looking forward to welcoming other beginning farmers to be our neighbors!
Our farm is on the northern end of Otsego Lake, and we have lake access at the end of our road. Boating, fishing, hiking, and hunting opportunities galore, if you're into that sort of thing. Cooperstown is 10 miles away at the south end of the lake. It's a bustling tourism destination with many opportunities for part-time/seasonal off-farm work.
