Preferred counties/regions
- Western
- Allegany County
- Cattaraugus County
- Chautauqua County
Desired acreage
- 51-100
- >100
Farming Status
Beginning farmer: 10 years or less of experience managing a farm business
Currently farming part-time
Primary reason for farming
Farm will generate the majority of my income
Farming status, plans, and practices
We are a small diversified farming operation. We currently have a herd of beef cows and operate primarily as a cow-calf operation. We also raise and sell meat chickens to local consumers and a have a growing flock of laying hens. We also have started a goat herd. While the goal of the goats is to sell market animals, it is also to help clear land and improve pastures.
Our long term goals include returning Jeff to the farm full-time, growing the direct to consumer side of the business to eventually include all of our animals that we raise. We would like to also grow the majority of our own feed, including grain crops.
We do strongly believe in the health of the land and believe that is the land is healthy it will provide better returns for the farmer, not only now but the generations to come. where we can we utilized rotational grazing and "active pasture management". While we understand it doesn't work in every situation be think no-till/minimal till are great options as well as trying to utilizes cover crops for soil improvement and grazing.
Farm Experience & Education
- Farm internship/apprenticeship
- Farm owner
- Farmer training or workshop
- Formal agricultural education
- Farm manager
- On farm work experience
Born and raised on a dairy farm in Randolph NY, worked on the farm for as long as I can remember.
Attended Alfred State College and obtained a Degree in Agricultural Business
Attended Cornell University and obtained a Degree in Animal Science: Dairy Management
Work on 2 large dairy farms post college as a operations manager and a herd health manager
Worked on my father's farm for 5 years. Grew from just a dairy farm to have direct to consumer beef sales and increased hay and corn production. We were unable to agree on a farm transition plan and we decided to part ways.
Farming Plans and Practices
Farming method or practice
- Biodynamic
Primary crops
-
Grains
-
Hay
Primary livestock
-
Cattle - Beef
-
Goats/Sheep
-
Poultry
We have a herd of about 60 beef cattle, none of them are purebred, but they are predominantly Angus. We raise just shy of 450 meat chickens this year and have a flock of 35 laying hens. We also have a small starter herd of goats.
We currently purchase all of our feed but in the future would like to have hay production and possibly grow our own grains as well.
Marketing Method
We primarily use Facebook for all of our direct to consumer needs. We have an active farm Facebook page under the name "Andrews Cattle Co."
For all of our feeder livestock we use Empire Livestock to sell them. in the future as we grow we would like to use an online auction service such as Superior Livestock. this would help us get a higher price by reaching a larger audience.
Farm business plan or farm resume
Farmland Needs
While we don't have any required infrastructure some things would add convenience. Fence would be the most important and then a cattle handling/working area or barn. While housing is not required it would be important especially if we were to buy the property.
Desired Tenure
The ideal set up for us is a lease to own option. in the early stages of our business cash flow is the biggest struggle and we can't buy every piece of ground right now but in a few years as cash flow improves we would like the option to buy. We also understand that not everyone will want to sell, so just having the ability to have a longer term lease would add a lot of stability to our lives.
