Sleeping Lion Farm

Springfield Center, NY, Otsego County

For Lease Business Partnership Other Tenure Agreement
Updated

Acres Available

400

Open Tillable Acres

200

Wooded (or other) Acres

200

Infrastructure

  • black outline barn icon Barns - Equipment Storage
  • black outline barn with silo icon Barns - Livestock
  • black outline electrical icon Electrical access
  • black outline tractor icon Equipment
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Crops Permitted

  • black outline of a carrot Vegetables
  • black outline of a flower Flowers or Ornamentals
  • black outline of a wheat germ Grains
  • black outline hay icon Hay
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Livestock Permitted

  • black outline cow icon Cattle - Beef
  • black outline horse icon Equine
  • Black outline of a sheep Goats/Sheep
  • Black outline of a pig Pigs
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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

Ra: Raynham silt Loam (23.3%), LeD: Lansing Silt Loam, 15-25% Slope (20.2%), Csb: Conesus Silt Loam, 3-8% Slope (10.2%)

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

Tenure Options

For Lease Business Partnership Other Tenure Agreement

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?

Yes

Do you require a farmer who qualifies for agricultural assessment?

No

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

  • black outline of a carrot Vegetables
  • black outline of a flower Flowers or Ornamentals
  • black outline of a wheat germ Grains
  • black outline hay icon Hay
  • black outline other crops icon Other Crops

Livestock Permitted

  • black outline cow icon Cattle - Beef
  • black outline horse icon Equine
  • Black outline of a sheep Goats/Sheep
  • Black outline of a pig Pigs
  • Black outline of a chicken Poultry
  • Black outline of a bee Bees
  • black outline llama icon Other Livestock

Preferred Farming Method

Organic (not certified) Regenerative/Sustainable

Farm Infrastructure

  • black outline barn icon Barns - Equipment Storage
  • black outline barn with silo icon Barns - Livestock
  • black outline electrical icon Electrical access
  • black outline tractor icon Equipment
  • black outline house icon Farmer housing
  • Black outline of a fence Fencing
  • Black outline of a water drop 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

Barns for Equipment/Storage

On-farm self-serve store.

Three barns – two dairy barns and a beautiful bank barn.

Main dairy barn has electric and is used for storage.

Secondary dairy barn used for storage and livestock housing.

Bank barn used for hay storage on top level.

Potential to use space in a nearby barn for vehicle and implement storage.

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

No

Current Land Zoning

Agricultural

Is the property located in a NY Agricultural District?

Yes

Can the public be on the property as a part of the farm business?

Negotiable

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.

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Ag Updates

Dairy Cows eating silage in the barn.

Applications Open for Dairy Funding Accelerator Program

The Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC) has opened applications for its upcoming Northeast Dairy Funding Accelerator (DFA) program. The 20-month intensive training curriculum will combine virtual and in-person sessions, as well as group and personalized Business Technical Assistance (BTA) training to help each participant meet their individualized needs. Funding for the program is being provided by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC). Applications are being accepted until December 1, 2023.

Learn More & Apply

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The Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Fellowship Program is seeking participants!

The Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Fellowship (CAMF) Program is designed to empower farmers and agricultural advisors to gain and share both the knowledge and tools needed to be resilient in the face of climate uncertainty.  This cohort-based learning opportunity is for farmers and agricultural advisors who are interested in climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies and planning, as well as peer-to-peer networking and support. Applications are due by midnight on November 11th, 2023. 

Learn More & Apply

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Register Now for Cornell Small Farms Online Courses!

Are you thinking about starting a small farm? Do you already have a farm that you're looking to expand? Invest in your professional development and you'll see the returns in your business. The Cornell Small Farms Program offers a suite of more than 30 online courses, primarily taught by Cornell Cooperative Extension educators, to help farmers improve their technical and business skills. 

2023-2024 Online Course List Learn More

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Looking for an on farm job or have a farm job you are hiring for?

Are you looking for a farm job? Are you a farm looking to hire help? Check out the 'Find a Farm Job' page on the New York Farmland Finder website! 

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