Farming status:

Part time

Description of farming status, plans, and practices:

I currently have small flock of sheep ( 19)most are registered Tunis  heritage style ,Originally started with sheep to train herding dosg , then feel in love with sheep . I have raised lambs for meat ,sold breeding stock , and raw wool. I have worked as head herdswoman for Goat Dairy .,Attended many many workshops and seminars , intensive rotational grazing, sheep & goat health , low stress live stock handling , lambing etc etc. I am passionate about managed rotational grazing,and what it can do for the land, the  animals and working with nature instead of against it. I reclaimed 10 acs of overgrown land with sheep and goats. I currently own my property but am looking to relocate, partly because I am too isolated and have deep desire to be in community.

 

I am interested and open to being a fulltime (live in) caretaker or steward for your country place or farm. I will provide excellent animal care for  many species ( livestock , canines ,felines) property/land maintenance and all the hard work to keep a place going. Advise on setting your place up if new endeavor ..open to all ideas.

I have vision /dream of a not for profit co operative farm with 2-3  "core" live in farmers , most importantly  this would be a Farm as Healing & Retreat& an interfaith Spiritual center .A community for those that have lost contact with natural world and its centering/healing properties! Co operative farming in a supportive enironmen t a true working community. A central "mother house " for retreatants to stay in , host community meals, live in farmers each with tiny eco dwelling. Each farmer has their own specialty and passion , but all help with projects and chores that require a group effort.I  believe a farm where folks come to work with the animals & land as a path to reconnecting with mother nature and themselves is needed at this time. Still working on better written description of the vision.. 

Description of marketing method:

?

Preferred location:

Columbia, Dutchess, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Washington, Eastern, Southeast

Desired acreage:

21-50, 51-100, >100

Infrastructure required:

Onsite housing, Barns or other facilities for storage of equipment, livestock, and crops, Water access, Fencing

Description of buildings required:

Some shelter for grazing animals , hay storage and equipment  Possibility of contructin "tiny" eco houses for resident farmer(s) and one central main house for guests/retreatants and group gatherings

Description of water access required:

Acces to water in pasture ideal

Description of fencing required:

Fencing is not a deal breaker ! Ideally  good perimeter fencing , to set up protable paddocks  inside for rotational grazing 

 

Primary crops:

Vegetables, Hay, Other Crops

Primary Livestock:

Cattle - Beef, Goats/Sheep, Pigs, Poultry

Description of livestock/crops:

dependant on situation  vegetable production for on farm consumation livestock for sale & consumption. Land and owners preferences

Tenure options desired:

Farm Management, For Lease, Partnership, Other Tenure Agreement

Description of tenure options desired:

?

Will this farmer's operation qualify an eligible landowner for an Agricultural Assessment?

Maybe

Experience & education:

Farm owner, Farm employee, Farm internship/apprenticeship

Experience description:

raising my own flock since 2004 ,  attended VT Grass Farmers Conference 4 yrs Prior to getting sheep , Sheep & Goat mentoring program  in 2004 , attended many many seminars workshops on sheep , goats and rotational grazing, low stress live stock handling , Hersdwoman for fairly large goat dairy. Grew up on mixed arriable farm in Ireland, learned milking and much more there