What is your farming experience or connection to agriculture?
I have been farming vegetables organically in the Hudson Valley for 12 years. I started my own operation growing Asian vegetables in 2020. I currently sublet 2 acres in Kingston with no utilities or infrastructure.
What are your future farming plans? What do you hope to accomplish in the next year? 5 years?
I am reorganizing my farm business plan to be cooperatively owned and am in search of farming partners as well. I will primarily be growing Asian roots, cucurbits, greens and aromatics and will sell through a multi-farm CSA that partners with other Asian growers in the area. The CSA will also include prepared Asian food that will be made by food maker partners. If I can find a new property with the appropriate infrastructure, I will be able to launch this CSA next year, as well as resume farmers market and wholesale accounts. In five years, I would like this business to show solvency and acquire larger wholesale contracts for Asian greens.
How are you looking to access land?
I am looking for a long-term lease, 5 years to start, so that the farm can continue to grow with the leadership of the next generation. Lease to own is a possibility.
What are you looking for in farmland?
I would like to lease 3 acres, with room to expand to 10. The property should have electric, potable water and irrigation water; buildings for tractor and other equipment storage, and a building for cold storage and wash and pack. A greenhouse is helpful but not necessary. Deer fencing is a necessity. If it is absent, I'm willing to install with the owner paying for the materials.
Is there anything else you would like for a landowner to know about you?
I have done well on property owned by other farmers and appreciate the knowledge that others can pass on. I am looking to have access to land that will allow occasional community events. Alliances with LGBTQ+ community and other BIPOC farmers and food makers in the area is important to me and I hope that the owner supports these values as well.
To learn more and connect with Betsy’s go to her profile!
