Preferred counties/regions
- Columbia County
- Hudson Valley
- Dutchess County
- Ulster County
- Sullivan County
Desired acreage
- 5 or fewer
- 6-10
- 11-20
- 21-50
Farming Status
Beginning farmer: 10 years or less of experience managing a farm business
Currently farming full-time
Primary reason for farming
Farm will generate the majority of my income
Farming status, plans, and practices
I have nine years experience working on a small, diversified raw milk farm. I worked in the vegetable, meat and dairy operations of the farm to various degrees over the last nine years. In 2020 I started my own small vegetable operation and started a CSA in the 2021 season. All my farm experience has been organic growing and rotational grazing for land management and health of animals. My own farm plans are to farm with soil health, animal health, and human health in mind by compost spreading, adding nutrients when needed, cover cropping, and rotational grazing. I would like my farm to include animals and vegetables to be able to sell direct to people through CSA and perhaps a small farm store.
Farm Experience & Education
- Farm owner
- On farm work experience
I have nine years of hands-on experience on a small, diversified raw dairy farm, Old Ford Farm. Over the years I worked in the vegetable, meat and dairy operations of the farm doing the day to day chores and long term farm and infrastructure projects. I have also worked on a small, biodynamic farm in Greece growing, harvesting and selling sundried tomatoes and peppers as well as legumes (lentil, chickpeas, etc). In 2020 I started a vegetable garden/operation on a small piece of land in a friend’s back yard with the intention of donating food to those who didn’t have access to fresh vegetables during covid, I also sold a portion to some local friends and neighbors. In 2021 I expanded my small operation to include a small CSA and sold to a couple farms and stores in my local area. With a group of friends, I also raise sheep and broilers that we slaughter ourselves, and layers. In addition to milking cows at Old Ford Farm, I have also milked goats. My hands on experience has essentially been my farm education. I have read some books, asked many questions of other farmer friends.
Farming Plans and Practices
Farming method or practice
- Organic (not certified)
- Regenerative/Sustainable
Primary crops
-
Vegetables
-
Fruits
-
Maple
-
Other Crops
Primary livestock
-
Cattle - Beef
-
Goats/Sheep
-
Pigs
-
Poultry
-
Bees
Currently I grow a small variety of staple vegetables. I also raise broilers, layers, and sheep with some of my neighbors as a group. I would like to continue vegetables and chickens and add pigs or goats for meat. I'm also open to other crops and livestock depending on the land.
Marketing Method
My current marketing method is social media, word of mouth and a weekly email to a list of friends and folks in the area who have bought from me in the past two years. It’s worked well enough for me so far because my farm is very small, but I would like to expand and I do need help with marketing ideas.
Farm business plan or farm resume
Farmland Needs
Infrastructure required
-
Water access
Infrastructure I need is a barn or small structures that can house animals in the winter. A greenhouse for starting plants in the spring. A tractor with a mower would be helpful and a cooler or place for cooler and freezers.
I can start on raw land and bring my own infrastructure, but starting with something would be amazing.
Desired Tenure
I am open to almost all tenure options. Ideally I would like to work in partnership with at least one other person, but I am open to management of a current operation as well. In the end I think it depends on what the situation presents.
