Callicoon Center, NY, Sullivan County
Acres Available
Open Tillable Acres
Wooded (or other) Acres
Condition & Current Use
For the 51 years of our tenure the property has been a horse-powered organic farm raising sheep, goats, chickens, breeding and training draft horses, producing renewable energy via wind, photo voltaic and solar thermal arrays, and welcoming the public for a variety of educational programs and farm vacations.
In 2003, Apple Pond Farm was heavily damaged by a tornado. Tornadoes are very infrequent in this area of New York State. Nonetheless, it touched land first at our farm with devastating effect. There are no animals on site as we concentrate on retrofitting the farm for its next farmer(s). The farm residence, garage and barn have had extensive foundation to new roof retrofit.
The farm is covered by an agricultural easement held by Delaware Highlands Conservancy. There are 2 parcels - of 11 and 70 acres respectively. An additional residence in an area close to the farmhouse is permitted. Pastures cannot be subdivided and sold as housing lots or commercial building sites. Additional buildings for animal and vegetable production are permitted through out the property. Please see additional documents for details of the easement.
The 74 tillable acres have been used to pasture sheep, horses, goats, grow vegetables and make hay. Perimeter fencing is wooden and barbed wire. Areas for containing animals are provided with electric and wood fencing.
Soil Types
Farm History & Past Use
The farm has always followed organic practices in producing vegetables, animals and hay but is not certified organic. We have bred, trained and sold 143 draft horses. For the majority of years, the farm was powered by horses. Motorized equipment was added to supplement horse power in 2010. In 2002 a 10kw wind turbine, 12 .5kw solar electric array and 64 solar thermal vacuum tubes were installed. About 90% of the energy used on the farm has been produced here. The wind turbine and solar thermal systems have not been restored to operational condition at this time.
Our major sources of income included breeding, training and selling draft horses, sheep, goats, vegetables, carriage and sleigh rides at local hotels and educational programs on renewable energy and horse powered farming for the public, farm vacations and year long rentals.
Educational programs have been diverse. In addition to our renewable energy and and agritourism several day workshops, educational programs on "Farming with kids," "Babies in the Barn," "A Lotta Ricotta," and "Farming with Horses" welcomed more than 25,00 people here at the farm. We hosted and trained more than 40 volunteers from WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunity on Organic Farms) USA and 200 year long farming and renewable energy apprentices from 27 countries. Several have gone on to be farmers or occupy positions in government, private consulting firms and renewable energy and other sustainable industries and businesses.
Tenure Options
The property is under a conservation easement through the Delaware Highlands Conservancy. https://delawarehighlands.org/apple-pond-farm-protected/
Property is sold as is.
Price for Lease Per Acre
Sale Price or Estimated Market Value
Sale Website Listing
Are you willing to mentor a new or beginning farmer?
Do you require a farmer who qualifies for agricultural assessment?
Production Preferences
Livestock / Crops Description
We have bred, raised and trained draft and carriage horses, sheep, goats, chickens and turkeys and have areas, supplies and equipment for them. All manner of fruit, nut and lumber trees, to hemp and animals are welcome.
Crops Permitted
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Vegetables
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Fruits
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Flowers or Ornamentals
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Grains
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Hay
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Other Crops
Livestock Permitted
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Cattle - Beef
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Cattle - Dairy
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Equine
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Goats/Sheep
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Pigs
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Poultry
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Bees
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Other Livestock
Preferred Farming Method
Farm Infrastructure
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Barns - Equipment Storage
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Barns - Livestock
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Electrical access
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Equipment
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Farmer housing
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Fencing
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Water access
Equipment
Equipment
John Deere 5410 tractor, mfg date 2000, 4500 hrs, 80hp
Front end loader, manure/hay bucket/cab
John Deere Gator
Allis Chalmers tractor 20 hp, with front end load and bucket
Hay elevator
Hay tedder, side delivery rake
Storm King 7’ cycle bar with additional bar and knife sections
7’ front mount tractor rototiller
2 Troy walk behind rototillers
Single and 2 bottom plows
Several hay wagons for round and square bales, trailers
Lime spreader
4 foot brush hog
Heavy duty electric power cement mixer
Industrial compressor
Water pumps
Several chain saws and weed whackers-STIHL, ECHO
Heated 150 and 5 gallon water containers
Many rolls of new and used webbing/pole and webbing plastic/electric fencing, 16' x 52" metal cattle panels
(65) locust posts 6’ (45) 4” x 6’ round pine posts
(24) locust calibrated sheep fence posts and 1000's of pieces of lumber
solar fence chargers, calf, dog/sheep shelters
The lumber yard and second story of many sheets of new steel galvanized and painted roofing, 2-4 inch pv pipe, used doors and windows in good condition, several sheets of 1 and 1/2 inch plywood,
Fencing
Due to the April 22, 2023 tornado, much of the board fencing was destroyed. High tinsel electric wire fencing for sheep and goats in the back pasture is still usable.
Water Access
Ponds, streams, water hole in pasture, well water are available.
Farmer Housing
The FARM HOUSE has 3 apartments:
# 1) 1800 sf with 2 full baths, dining room, living room, kitchen, 3 bedrooms, office, and large deck. Heating is hot air and fire wood.
#2) 1200 sf, 1 bedroom, kitchen,1 bathroom, living room with cathedral ceiling and an outstanding view of the pastures; air source heat pump, one flight upstairs.
#3) 1800sf- open space living /dining room /kitchen, large sunroom used for guests and meetings, 1 1/2 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, 2 offices, a storage room for fuel and two freezers, a full basement with new washer and dryer, jacuzzi room, attached solar thermal greenhouse, and exterior deck. HVAC includes hot water boiler and radiant floor, hot air furnace, heat pump and 2 wood burning stoves.
Additional Property Information
Is the Property Conserved
Current Land Zoning
Is the property located in a NY Agricultural District?
Can the public be on the property as a part of the farm business?
Additional Information About This Property
This property is well-known and its next owner/stewarts will be welcomed with support and warmth. We have many trades/barters and other helpful collaborative relations which, upon request will be facilitated. This hill farm and its community has transformed our lives in many ways for which we are very grateful.
