Preferred counties/regions
- Central
- Cayuga County
- Seneca County
- Southern Tier
- Schuyler County
- Tompkins County
Desired acreage
- 5 or fewer
- 6-10
- 11-20
- 21-50
- 51-100
- >100
Farming Status
Emerging farmer: 2 years or more of on farm work experience
Not currently farming
Primary reason for farming
Farm will generate a portion of my income
Farming status, plans, and practices
I am not currently farming, but my plan is to start farming at small scale (2 acres or less) while working full time on other farms gaining more experience. I intend to grow vegetable crops for wholesale markets. My vision for vegetable production is mixing regenerative practices with conventional agriculture in order to preserve the land and environment, while maintaining high yields and economic viability. My main practice I want to implement is reduced tillage and preferable no-till in most or all production. I would still maintain conventional inputs to facilitate this (i.e. herbicides; cultivation is obviously not an option in no till). I can share more about my farming philosophy and ideal production techniques if you reach out to me.
Farm Experience & Education
- Formal agricultural education
- Farm manager
- On farm work experience
Education
Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ithaca, NY
Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Sciences May 2022
- Concentrations in Sustainable Crop Production and Business Management; coursework in horticulture, vegetable production, and orchard management.
- Cumulative GPA: 3.57; Dean’s List, three semesters
Agricultural Experience
Bean Family Farm Westwood, MA
Farm Manager May 2019 – April 2023
- Managed a small-scale commercial vegetable operation across four growing seasons, building annual production plans that aligned variety selection and planting schedules with acreage and local market demand.
- Designed and executed fertility and crop-protection programs, managing application timing, rates, and recordkeeping across all blocks.
- Coordinated seasonal labor, assigning daily tasks and training crews to planting, cultivation, and harvest quality standards.
- Operated and maintained tractors and field implements, keeping equipment running through peak planting and harvest windows.
HAAC Chile S.A.Pichidegua, Chile
Agricultural Intern Summers June 2016 – August 2018
- Trained under management at an export-oriented Chilean farm across three Southern Hemisphere seasons, studying field production and farm business practices.
- Built professional working proficiency in Spanish through daily immersion with crews and management.
Cornell University – Meat Marketing Research Ithaca, NY
Research Assistant August 2021 – December 2022
- Conducted market research and demand forecasting for the animal-agriculture industry.
- Analyzed pricing, consumption, and purchasing trends, translating findings into written reports on shifts affecting beef, pork, and lamb producers and processors.
Skills
- Agronomy & Equipment: crop planning and variety selection, fertility and nutrient management, crop-protection programs, weed identification, sustainable production, harvest operations, tractor and implement operation and maintenance.
- Technical: Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Languages: English (native); Spanish (professional working proficiency).
Farming Plans and Practices
Farming method or practice
- Conventional
- Regenerative/Sustainable
Primary crops
-
Vegetables
Primary livestock
-
Pigs
-
Poultry
Crops I am considering growing for the first year is golden zucchini, sweet corn, and eggplant. This is because I have experience in growing all of them, and it will require the least amount external labor that I will have to factor into costs. I also know that these crops can be easily marketable.
I would consider raising some pigs and/or poultry, but this would be primarily for my own consumption and to sell/trade with friends and family.
Marketing Method
I would sell all of my produce wholesale and primarily at produce auctions. While I may not receive the best prices I will almost guarantee selling most of what I grow. This will also make it easy to create a schedule for harvest and sales while working a full time job, making the farming feasible.
Once I begin working with a landowner I will put togethera full business plan showing market forecasts, input costs, etc.
Farm business plan or farm resume
Farmland Needs
Infrastructure required
-
Equipment
-
Fencing
-
Water access
Water access and fencing is preferred, but not necessary. Some equipment, especially a tractor, is ideal to avoid burdensome fixed costs in the first year. I am willing to invest in farm equipment, especially no-till equipment, but investing in everything up front may not be feasible.
Desired Tenure
Currently I am looking for land to lease and potentially purchase or create a partnership with down the road. I am trying to start small before expanding and this would be the most ideal situation.
