Specifically, I am looking for a 2 years pasture lease with basic infrastructure for starting a small herd of water buffaloes.
Preferred counties/regions
- Dutchess County
- Putnam County
- Westchester County
Desired acreage
- 6-10
- 11-20
Farming Status
Aspiring farmer: 1 year or less of farming experience
Currently farming part-time
Primary reason for farming
Farm will generate a portion of my income
Farming status, plans, and practices
I am currently a beekeeper and I am planning to start a herd of water buffaloes using regenerative practices.
In the short term (the first 2 years), I will focus on growing the herd, starting with 3 individuals to hopefully around 10. I have a full time job that require me to be in the city a few times a week, so during this early stage, I need to be able to commute from time to time.
After the early stage, I am planning to retire and focus full time on the bees and the water buffalo herd, start selling honey, meat and dairy.
In the long term, the full size herd would be around 30~35 (including calves, heifers, cows and bulls)
Farm Experience & Education
- On farm work experience
I do not have a formal agricultural education. However, I have been raising bees for more than 5 years and volunteered at a handful local farms with livestock operations in the Hudson River Valley and upstate NY.
Most of my livestock experience was in my teenage years, on my grandparents' homestead.
Farming Plans and Practices
Farming method or practice
- Organic (not certified)
- Regenerative/Sustainable
Primary crops
Primary livestock
-
Bees
-
Other Livestock
Water buffalo - Diary
Marketing Method
My goal is to be a small operation farm that will provide high quality niche products.
In the first couple of years I will start building my costumer base by attending local farmer markets, selling honey, possibly beeswax and related products and preparing the ground for the "soon to come" water buffalo products. Word of mouth spreads slowly, but I am optimistic that a reasonable size customer base can be built in a couple of years.
Farm business plan or farm resume
Farmland Needs
Infrastructure required
-
Barns - Livestock
-
Water access
Water access is a must. A pond (even small) would be very nice to have for the water buffaloes to wallow in.
Barn: nice to have for the first couple of years or during winter.
Fencing: the water buffaloes will be trained to electric fence - I will set it up around the paddocks as part of the rotational grazing planning. Perimeter fencing would be nice to have, though.
Desired Tenure
I currently have a non-farming full time job which I intend to keep for another couple of years or so. During this time the plan is to grow the herd, as I will not be able to dedicate full time to farming. Because of that, in these early years, leasing would probably be my only option.
