Rasaq Babatunde Kunrunmi-Abiola

Description of farming status, plans, and practices:

I worked at Saratoga Farm in Brooklyn as Lead Farmer during the 2017 season. I would like to establish my own farm for the 2020 growing season, where I wish to grow both American and African vegetables. Eventually, I would like to diversify the farm to include chicken, rabbit, and honey production. An even longer-term goal would be to add larger stock like cattle and goats. As I would like to be within a short distance of NYC area, for market purposes, I am primairly looking at farmland in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Orange counties, but I am open to good opportunities in other nearby areas.

Description of marketing method:

As for the African vegetables, the target products are the African foodstuff markets and restaurants in NYC.

Does this farmer have a business plan?

In progress

Preferred location:

Desired acreage:

6-10, 11-20, 21-50, 51-100

Infrastructure required:

Onsite housing, Barns or other facilities for storage of equipment, livestock, and crops, Farm equipment, Water access, Fencing, Electrical Access

Description of buildings required:

An average farm building that can habour farm workers,processing space for animals.

Description of farm equipment required:

All relevant farm equipments required for farm production.

Description of water access required:

As appropriate as possible for farm production

Description of fencing required:

As appropriate as possibe to keep the protect the farm from external influence

Primary crops:

Vegetables, Fruits, Grains, Other Crops

Primary Livestock:

Cattle - Beef, Cattle - Dairy, Goats/Sheep, Poultry, Other livestock

Description of livestock/crops:

Vegetables are my initial priority. Eventually, I would like to diversify the farm to include chicken, rabbit, and honey production. An even longer-term goal would be to add larger stock like cattle and goats.

Tenure options desired:

Farm Management, For Lease, For Sale, Other Tenure Agreement

Description of tenure options desired:

My preference is to own the farm, either immediately or eventually, but I am open to other arrangments.

Will this farmer's operation qualify an eligible landowner for an Agricultural Assessment?

Unsure

Experience & education:

Formal agricultural education, Farm owner, On farm work experience, Farm internship/apprenticeship

Experience description:

I owned a farm back home in Nigeria.I established this farm in 2001. We planted all types of vegetables/crops, among which are yam, cocoyam, beans, maize, groundnut, cowpea, tomatoes, peppers, and sweet potatoes. We had a sucessful rabbit production program. We also raised goat, ram, sheep and chicken (we raised day old chicks for other farmers as well as broilers). At Saratoga Farm, where I was the Lead Farmer in 2017, I participated in the daily running of the farm, including managing the nursery, transplanting,  harvesting, marketing, training of young farmers and record keeping. 
I have a degree in Accounting and a Masters Of Business Administration. I have additional proffessional qualifications in Business/Administration. I also completed GrowNYC’s farm business class in 2017/2018 and I have taken other crop and livestock courses offered online by Cornell University. Lastly, I am working with Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell’s NY FarmNet on developing and updating my farm business plans.