Allard Family Farm

Wife and I are looking to find a permanent home to expand our current operation. We currently raise pastured poultry, Alpine Dairy goats, East Friesian sheep, a Jersey heifer and a couple of Hereford cows. Currently in CT but looking to leave the state.

Preferred counties/regions

  • Capital Region
  • Hudson Valley
  • Mohawk Valley
  • Central
  • Finger Lakes

Desired acreage

  • 21-50
  • 51-100
  • >100

Farming Status

Beginning farmer: 10 years or less of experience managing a farm business

Currently farming part-time

Primary reason for farming

Farm will generate the majority of my income

Farming status, plans, and practices

Actively farming, entering our third year of production with pastured poultry as our current centerpiece. In the future we are looking to expand into grass fed beef and lamb as well as pastured pork. We center all of our practices around ecological and ethical raising of livestock providing the most nutritious possible food to our local community. We are currently leasing 5 acres of land in Connecticut but are looking to purchase land to start our family and expand our farming enterprise to become full time employment for us in the future.

Farm Experience & Education

  • Farm owner
  • Formal agricultural education
  • On farm work experience

I am a formally trained chef turned diesel mechanic. I work as a mechanic operating and managing mechanical failures to ensure Amazon can continue day to day shipping of packages in its warehouses. 

My wife is an agriculture teacher at local high school specializing in animal science with knowledge carried from childhood and formal education at the University of Connecticut. She worked for the University of Connecticut’s Department of Animal Science helping to manage the milking of their 110 dairy cattle and management of other operations including their beef, sheep, swine and egg layer facilities. 

Farming Plans and Practices

Farming method or practice

  • Biodynamic
  • Organic (not certified)
  • Regenerative/Sustainable

Primary crops

  • No Crops

Primary livestock

  • black outline cow icon Cattle - Beef
  • Black outline of a sheep Goats/Sheep
  • Black outline of a chicken Poultry

All of our animals are raised following the methods of Joel Salatin in a regenerative style focusing on management that involves rotationally grazing to work with nature instead of against it. Our meat birds and turkeys are raised seasonally on pasture from April through October. These birds are provided non-GMO grain and moved to a new patch of grass each day. Our goats are used primarily for brush clearing and small scale milk and cheese production. Our sheep are raised for wool, meat and grass management around the property. Our cattle are currently used for grass management and are our future milk and beef production animals.

Marketing Method

Our current marketing occurs from Farmer's markets, on-site sales, word of mouth, social media (Instagram, Facebook), and email campaigns via Mail Chimp. 

Farm business plan or farm resume

I have a business plan

Farmland Needs

Infrastructure required

  • black outline house icon Farmer housing
  • Black outline of a water drop Water access

barns would be a plus but a house on the property and water are the only requirement. 

Desired Tenure

Tenure options desired

  • For Sale

Looking to purchase

Estimated price range for a lease or a purchase of a farm property

400,000 Max

Has this farmer received a pre-qualification from a lending institution?

Yes

Will this operation qualify an eligible landowner for an Agricultural Assessment?

Yes

Ag Updates

Service providers speak with farmer while overlooking a field.

Starting a New Year with New Growth in New York

The start of a new year aligned with the start for new staff members and transitioning roles for our American Farmland Trust New York team! Meet Heidi, José, Mikaela, and Ashlea and learn a bit about what brought them to their work in saving New York farmland that sustains us below!

Meet Our Growing Team