ZHONGYI MA

Coming from a family with deep farming and ranching roots, I am looking to lease land near NYC to continue that tradition with a diversified vegetable and small-livestock operation. Committed, hands-on, and focused on long-term stewardship of the land.

Preferred counties/regions

  • Hudson Valley
  • Dutchess County
  • Ulster County
  • Sullivan County
  • Orange County
  • Putnam County
  • Westchester County
  • Rockland County
  • Southern Tier
  • Broome County
  • Chemung County
  • Chenango County
  • Delaware County
  • Schuyler County
  • Steuben County
  • Tioga County
  • Tompkins County
  • Long Island
  • Nassau County
  • Suffolk County

Desired acreage

  • 11-20
  • 21-50
  • 51-100
  • >100

Farming Status

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

Not currently farming

Primary reason for farming

Farm will generate a portion of my income

Farming status, plans, and practices

I grew up in a family of farmers and ranchers, so working the land and caring for animals has been part of my life from an early age. I am now looking to establish my own operation near New York City, starting small with vegetables and a few animals and building steadily. I bring a strong work ethic, practical familiarity with farm life, and a serious, long-term commitment to any land I steward.

Farm Experience & Education

  • Farm owner
  • On farm work experience

Lifelong exposure to farming and livestock through my family's farming and ranching background, including hands-on work with crops and animals from a young age.

Farming Plans and Practices

Farming method or practice

  • Organic (not certified)
  • Regenerative/Sustainable

Primary crops

  • black outline of a carrot Vegetables
  • black outline apple icon Fruits
  • black outline hay icon Hay
  • black outline other crops icon Other Crops

Primary livestock

  • black outline dairy icon Cattle - Dairy
  • Black outline of a sheep Goats/Sheep

Planning a diversified operation rooted in my family's farming and ranching background: pasture-raised beef cattle and poultry, supported by hay production and a vegetable plot. Emphasis on rotational grazing and low-impact, sustainable practices.

Marketing Method

Direct-to-consumer sales and local markets to start — farm pickup, local farmers markets, and word-of-mouth within the community — scaling as the operation grows.

Farm business plan or farm resume

My business plan or farm resume is in progress

Farmland Needs

Infrastructure required

  • black outline house icon Farmer housing

Reliable water access and adequate fencing for rotational grazing are essential. Livestock barn or shelter preferred. On-site housing would be a plus but is not required.

Desired Tenure

Tenure options desired

  • For Lease
  • For Sale
  • Other Tenure Agreement

Seeking a multi-year lease with a clear, fair agreement that supports a long-term operation. Open to discussing terms that work well for both the landowner and my farm.

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

Unsure

Ag Updates

Greenhouse

Farmer Housing Matching Portal

Growing Homes has created a house matching portal to provide access to affordable rentals for farmers and farmworkers in the Hudson Valley region! You can create a listing as a farmer housing home seeker or home provider.

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Sea Matias and Tom Hutson

New York Farm Transition Advisors Directory

NY Farm Transition Advisors Directory is designed to be an accessible and inclusive referral resource that is available to farmers, farmland owners and ag service professionals working through farm transitions and farmland access in New York State.

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Leslie Hamilton, Triple H Farms, Geneseo, NY October 15 2018Photo essay for the American Farmland Trust and Great Lakes Protection Fund illustrating farms and landowners working together to conserve the land and resources.

Farmland Owner Resource Hub

Are you a landowner looking to support farmland preservation by making your land available to farmers? Maybe you want to learn more about how you can steward your farmland with sustainable practices in mind? Or maybe you have goals you’d like to achieve that ensures the future of your farm? Check out the Farmland Owner Hub to explore various topics.

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Sam in field

Looking for an on farm job or have a farm job you are hiring for?

Are you looking for a farm job? Are you a farm looking to hire help? Check out the 'Find a Farm Job' page on the New York Farmland Finder website! 

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