Preferred counties/regions
- Mohawk Valley
- Oneida County
- Central
- Cortland County
- Madison County
- Onondaga County
- Oswego County
- Cayuga County
- Southern Tier
- Tompkins County
Desired acreage
- 6-10
- 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
Currently landless, seeking land for living and working on. Primarly have used 2 wheeled tractors. Have owned and used 4 wheeled Ferrari tractor and draft horses. My plans are always contingent upon what the land dictates, given what works in the market. I still see success for a mixed farm with vegetables, fruits, eggs and meat direct to consumer. On farm bakery is a viable idea as we have the skills available. I have practiced conventional, organic and permaculture techniques. Observation is the most necessary tool for me.
Farm Experience & Education
- Farm internship/apprenticeship
- Farm owner
- Farm manager
- On farm work experience
I began as a gardener when younger, later worked on a draft horse powered farm, and a conventional turkey farm. Started my own farm from scratch in Oregon with a few packs of seeds on 1 acre, bought a pig, then some chickens and turkeys. Moved to 40 acres, expanded to permaculture efforts with Shorthorn cattle for dairy and beef; Icelandic sheep for wool and meat; Tamworth pigs; goats, sheep, llamas. Later moved to 60 acres of blank land. Built a small milking parlor and created the "Grey Day Dairy" selling raw milk direct to consumer in Oregon. All animals had access to the forest to great benefit for all. Later brought on Devon cattle with great success.
Farming Plans and Practices
Farming method or practice
- Organic (not certified)
- Regenerative/Sustainable
Primary crops
-
Vegetables
-
Fruits
-
Hay
-
Maple
Primary livestock
-
Cattle - Beef
-
Cattle - Dairy
-
Goats/Sheep
-
Pigs
-
Poultry
-
Bees
Dairy, beef, eggs, vegetables, chicken, turkey and orchard fruits, as dictated by the land.
Marketing Method
Created Grey Day Dairy website with online ordering system.
Although inactive now, a copy of the farm's website can be seen at the internet archive (slow loading): https://web.archive.org/web/20180822200944/https://greydaydairy.com/
We ran Facebook and Google ad campaigns, but our single largest source of marketing was bloggers (before influencing became a thing) and word of mouth from neighbors and customers.
Farm business plan or farm resume
Farmland Needs
Infrastructure required
-
Barns - Livestock
-
Farmer housing
-
Water access
Family housing is required as there are 5 of us. Open to creative solutions and timelines.
Water, livestock housing, feed storage and a shop to store and work on equipment is needed. Fencing not requisite.
Desired Tenure
Ideally looking for a transitional farmer with a home on site. Open to other creative arrangements.
