Preferred counties/regions
- Tompkins County
Desired acreage
- 5 or fewer
Farming Status
Aspiring farmer: 1 year or less of farming experience
Not currently farming
Primary reason for farming
Farm will generate a portion of my income
Farming status, plans, and practices
I'm a Air Force/Air National Gaurd Veteran hobbyist green thumb that wants to eventually turn my passion for growing plants into a livelihood. Did a good amount of farming and farmhand work in 2024, became a Horticulturist in 2025 which cut into the farming, was too exhausted after work to farm. Looking to get an easier on the body type of job where I can dedicate at least 15 hrs a week to farming crops.
Farm Experience & Education
- Farmer training or workshop
- On farm work experience
Growing season of 2024 I grew tomatoes at an incubator farm, worked at a few local farms to learn how they operate. Sold produce at the Freeville Farmer's Market. Took several beginning farmer courses through the Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Farming Plans and Practices
Farming method or practice
- Biodynamic
- Organic (not certified)
- Regenerative/Sustainable
Primary crops
-
Vegetables
-
Fruits
-
Flowers or Ornamentals
Primary livestock
-
Goats/Sheep
The main crop I'd prefer to focus on is growing fruit and vegetables suitable for sale at a farm stand and cash crops I'm leaning towards growing are garlic, elderberry and saffron. I've seen the usefulness of sheep in rebuilding the soil. I have very little experience with sheep but I'm open to using them in the future.
Marketing Method
I'd like to sell at the Virgil community farmer's market or set-up a farm stand very close to where I'd be growing produce. Then sell elderberry cuttings, garlic and saffron on Etsy.
Farm business plan or farm resume
Farmland Needs
Infrastructure required
-
Barns - Equipment Storage
-
Water access
A shed to store equipment would be nice.
Desired Tenure
My preference is to work the land at no cost then work out an arrangement with the landowner in how to split the profits after I start selling produce, maybe 70/30, in the grower's favor.
