Copake, NY, Columbia County
Acres Available
Open Tillable Acres
Wooded (or other) Acres
Condition & Current Use
This historic 18-acre homestead is comprised of: 1) 14-acres of farmland, and 2) a 2-acre residential compound with a Greek Revival Farmhouse, Icehouse cottage and outbuilding. The property was purchased in 2020 at which time it had been used by local tenant farmers to grow corn for feed, and for sheep pasture grazing. The 7-acre South Production field has been cultivated in 2021 and 2022 with organic covercrops (oats & peas, buckwheat) to build soil health. The separate 7-acre North Pasture has been recently used by local farmer, Pigasso Farms, for pasture grazing his sheep. In 2021, Appleseed Permaculture prepared a site Master Plan. Recommended best fit farming uses were as follows: a) SOUTH PRODUCTION FIELD, market crops such as vegetables, cut flowers, u-pick flowers, strawberries, fruit trees. New potential infrastructure: wash/pack barn, greenhouses, frost-free irrigation hydrant. b) NORTH PASTURE, rotational small livestock pasture (sheep and/or poultry), rotational small livestock silvopasture, e.g. mulberry, chestnut, honey locust. New potential infrastructure: winter sheep barn, mobile poultry housing, retention pond.
Soil Types
Farm History & Past Use
The 18.25-acre Sweet Homestead is the intact domestic portion of a historic 240-acre family farm that was among the first deeded farms in the area. Atttributed to Fyler D. Sweet (1808-1889) and wife Dorothea Decker Sweet (1812-1875), the site includes a large c.1845 Greek Revival farmhouse, Icehouse Cottage, Farmer House, functionally-related outbuildings and related yards, and 14-acres of productive farmland. The property is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Place, recognized as "a good example" of a rural Hudson Valley homestead" with an adjacent "rare collection of mid-19th century agricultural outbuildings that remain virtually unaltered" (four are under separate ownership). The original 19th century farmers produced diversified cash crops including indigenous crops, as well as sheep's wool, butter and honey products before transitioning to dairy farming in the 20th-century. The 7-acre Production Field likely provided a wide range of subsistence crops for the family. The property was used largely for tenant farming through most of the 20th century. In recent decades the farmland and historic buildings were functional but neglected. I am hoping to bring a farmer-partner onto the land to build soil and ecological health and to sustain active farming use.
Tenure Options
I am seeking a new owner-steward that is connected to the history of the land and able to make use of the historic buildings on site to generate revenue. Options can include sale, lease, lease with option to purchase, and/or other negotiable terms.
Sale Price or Estimated Market Value
Sale Website Listing
Do you require a farmer who qualifies for agricultural assessment?
Production Preferences
Livestock / Crops Description
A 7-acre South Production field (Soil: BIA) is fertile loamy soil ideal for a wide array of crops, flowers, herbs, etc. There is no perimeter fence currently and there is a dedicated vehicular gate access.
A 7-acre North Pasture (Soil: FaB + BIA) has been used in the recent past by local farmers for sheep grazing. I am open to small animals such as chickens, goats and/or sheep. Land is secured by a perimeter fence with dedicated vehicular gate access.
Crops Permitted
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Vegetables
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Fruits
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Flowers or Ornamentals
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Other Crops
Livestock Permitted
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Goats/Sheep
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Poultry
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Bees
Preferred Farming Method
Farm Infrastructure
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Farmer housing
Farmer Housing
There is a two-story historic buidling at the south edge of the property that is available for on-site farmer housing but in need of some update. It includes new kitchen, 2-bedrooms, one bathroom, and a living and work space. It sits on about an acre of land and has a private driveway and parking as well as a small outbuilding shed nearby.
Additional Property Information
The property borders on the east and north to the Taconic Shores, a lakefront residential community built around nearby Robinson Pond. This property border perhaps a dozen residential properties, so minimal use of motorized equipment is preferred. There are some small outbuildings that exist on the property for possible farmer use. I am looking for a farmer that promotes soil and ecological health.
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
The Sweet Homestead site is zoned Rural Residential - Agricultural with Special Permit Use for Agritourism. I see the potential for a diversified operation that includes small-scale farming with other compatible, revenue-generating uses for farm-based experiences such as farmstay lodging, farm-to-table, farmstore, community workshops, and small events. I am looking for either: 1) a farmer-partner to work with me to envision and develop an 18.25-acre historic farmstead in Copake, NY; or 2) a new owner-steward that is interested in farming while utilizing the historic buildings for new contemporary uses. I am seeking farmer-partner that practices regenerative farming, produces diversified crops and that has some interest in connecting with the public. The Greek Revival farmhouse and compound could be available to accommodate your farm-to-table dinners, and other farm-related workshops and events. The property has an Agricultural Assessment that keeps property taxes low.
