Hamilton, NY, Madison County
Acres Available
Open Tillable Acres
Wooded (or other) Acres
Condition & Current Use
Our farm has been owned and operated by the Migonis family for over 100 years. Until 2018, it was a working dairy farm. We now rent out much of the tillable land and grow hay for our business. As stated in our profile, we have 70 acres tillable land, 20 acres working gravel bed, 60 acres of pasture, 40 acres of forest, 22 acres wetland, 5 acres of homestead, house & barns. The homestead is made up of a 6 bedroom farmhouse, a 2 apartment duplex, a 93 stall barn, 2 chicken houses , a horse barn, and a pole barn. All of the buildings are are usable but in need of repair. We are in the process of renovating the farmhouse, a geo thermo system has been put in, windows have been replaced and currently, new siding is being put on. The downstairs will be completed at the end of 2025 beginning of 2026. Completion of the upstairs bedrooms and bath will be in 2026-2027. Because of our near proximity to Colgate, Hamilton College and SUNY Morrisville, we intend to use the farmhouse as a B&B. Our goal is to make the B&B an interactive farm experience, including small and large animals with a large garden. Cedar Crest Farm is 2 miles from Hamilton. Hamilton, located in the Chenango Valley, has a population of around 4,000. It is a friendly community with a rich history and a variety of things to experience. There are numerous housing opportunities and a wonderful school system.
Soil Types
Farm History & Past Use
Cedar Crest is located in the Town of Eaton and the Town of Lebanon. The farm was established in 1925. Two families, the Migonis' and the Dombrauskas' worked the land and raised milk cows on shares with the owner, a wealthy lawyer, Mr. Guylok. The profits were split 3 ways. The farmhouse, built in the 1850's housed the two families, the two sides being mirror images of the other. They grew corn, beans, wheat, oats and other crops. Chickens and geese were raised and sold on the farm. The families cultivated orchards of mulberry, pear and cherry trees. The pear and cherry trees are gone but the mulberry trees are still part of the farm. The Migonis family eventually bought out the Dombrauskas' and expanded the dairy farm. Andy, his father John and his brother Marc worked the very successful dairy farm. A great place to raise our 4 kids. We continued farming until Marc left and Andy's parents passed away. We decided to sell the cows. We have kept up the farmland by mowing pasture land, growing and selling hay and renting some of the fields to local farmers who use it for corn and soybeans. This farm is perfect for boarding horses and providing trail riding. We have a feeder canal on the property but also have a couple sites for potential ponds.
Tenure Options
We are open to a range of opportunities from short-term lease through full business partnerships. We are currently working with farmers who are cropping and grazing some of the land, but open to other arrangements. Andy is very experienced in raising beef cattle. He would be willing to assist a beginning farmer in that endeavor. He has also raised geese, chickens and pigs. We are willing to mentor committed folks.
Price for Lease Per Acre
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 were dairying and grazing livestock on the farm, but are broadly open to pigs, sheep, goats and chickens. Our pastures are ideal for grazing. We would like to see that pasture land utilized. We are also open to a variety of crops. The soil is prime.
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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Maple
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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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Fencing
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Water access
Equipment
4 working tractors, one being an original 1941 Farmall tractor, a discbine, 5 hay wagons, a kicker baler, a tedder, a rake, a grain drill, a 5 bottom plow, a disc, 2 drags, a manure spreader, 3 hay elevators, 2 grain augers, 3 point hitch mower, a 2 row corn planter and a brush hog.
Fencing
At this time there is electric fencing for a family owned horse. The pasture fencing was intentionally removed for easier maintenance.
Water Access
At this time there is a location selected for a pond and SWCD is working on a plan. There is a feeder canal on the property located near the barn. There is good water at the barn.
Additional Property Information
The dairy cows have been gone since 2018. We would really like to have the barn updated and used. There is plenty of tillable land to support beef cattle, heifers, dairy cows or any other grazing animals. It is very important to us that the farm be a working farm.
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
There is currently a working gravel bed on the property. There is also a 22 acre wetland preserve on the property.
