Preferred counties/regions
- Finger Lakes
- Genesee County
- Livingston County
- Orleans County
- Wyoming County
- Monroe County
- Ontario County
- Seneca County
- Wayne County
- Yates County
- Southern Tier
- Schuyler County
- Steuben County
- Tioga County
- Tompkins County
Desired acreage
- 6-10
- 11-20
- 21-50
- 51-100
Farming Status
Beginning farmer: 10 years or less of experience managing a farm business
Currently farming full-time
Primary reason for farming
Farm will generate the majority of my income
Farming status, plans, and practices
Our main farming focus is our fiber flock, as well as breeding stock of fiber-dairy sheep. We specialize in quality fiber for single source yarns, textiles and felted items. We sell registered finnsheep breeding stock and offer a few dairy sheep breeding stock as well. We maintain a small flock of laying hens, and heritage breed turkeys and raise red rangers pastured poultry. We grow vegetables, and have a small nursery that produces nut trees and other edible perennials as bare root nursery stock.
As part of our longer term vision, we are seeking land where we can put down roots, on land that has abundant natural resources. We have a long-term vision of lasting stewardship of the land. Ideally, we are seeking opportunities for long term tenure including ownership, cooperative/partnership, land trust or similar. Our farming approach is regenerative and carbon conscious. Long-term, secure land tenure would allow us to pursue our vision for agroforestry with chestnuts and hazel, as well as the design of silvopasture systems for our flock.
We are also open to shorter term grazing arrangements, particularly in Tompkins or Tioga counties.
Farm Experience & Education
- Farm internship/apprenticeship
- Farm owner
- Farmer training or workshop
- Formal agricultural education
- Farm manager
- On farm work experience
B.Sc - International Agriculture and Rural Development- Cornell University (2016)
M.Sc -Agroforestry and Sustainable Agriculture- The Center for Tropical Agriculture Teaching and Research (CATIE), Turrialba, Costa Rica (2018)
Diversified farm work experience in dry land agriculture, coffee agroforestry, tree nursery and temperate tree crops, and organic vegetable farming. Research experience in silvopasture systems. Professional experience in agricultural extension service, youth agriculture education and agriculture non profit work.
Co-owner and Operator - Finca La Abundancia LLC, est. 2023, a diversified small farm focused on high quality local fiber from Finnsheep and Finn crosses. We also raise dairy sheep, pastured heritage turkey, quail and laying hens. We have a small nursery with edible perennials, fruit and nut trees.
Farming Plans and Practices
Farming method or practice
- Regenerative/Sustainable
Primary crops
-
Vegetables
-
Fruits
-
Hay
Primary livestock
-
Goats/Sheep
-
Poultry
Seeking land to graze sheep. In the longer term, we are also seeking land establish tree crops and vegetables. We need access to some basic infrastructure for housing sheep in cold climates, as well as access to water and hay storage. Ideally we would love to have land that provides opportunity to produce hay crop in future.
Marketing Method
Direct to consumer
Local Fiber Collective
Local Markets
Farm business plan or farm resume
Farmland Needs
Infrastructure required
-
Barns - Equipment Storage
-
Barns - Livestock
-
Electrical access
-
Equipment
-
Farmer housing
-
Fencing
-
Water access
For short term grazing, nice to haves include: barn and housing for ewes, frost free faucets, drought resilience (ponds/streams on site) and access to shade.
Our ideal farm for long term would have housing or the potential for our tiny house.
Desired Tenure
Seeking a land owner who is open to a long term land tenure if its a good fit, with option to buy, partner or collaborate in farming in other ways.
Open to shorter term grazing arrangements for our sheep.
