New Moon Farms is a diversified farm that is owned and operated by Chris and Sarah Ficken in Munnsville. The Fickens, who met while they were studying at Cornell University, always intended on owning a farm together and put in an offer on their Stockbridge Falls Road farm the day after they got married. Chris has been farming since he was 6 years old and while Sarah doesn’t have a background in farming, she has enthusiastically embraced this lifestyle. Since December 2012 they have been working to rehabilitate the land and build their farm while staying true to their philosophy of “Sustainability. Diversity. Community. Livestock.” When it came time to name their farm, New Moon was the natural choice. It was the name that Chris always used for his herd, originally inspired by the farm in one of his favorite childhood books, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Emily of New Moon. The Fickens believe that being environmentally, socially, and financially sustainable will be essential to the longevity of their farm – which they intend to maintain for “at least the next fifty years.”
The Fickens bought their first cows in 2012, and their herd has grown with the farm ever since. New Moon Farms is currently milking 18 cows a day and is a proud member of the Agrimark Cooperative, makers of Cabot and McCadam cheese. Next year the number of cows they milk will increase to 55, from the natural increase in the size of their herd. Along with their dairy operations, the Fickens are in the middle of their 3rd CSA season. They provide a bounty of fresh vegetables from their farm to shareholders each week who have the option to add beef, poultry, and eggs to their weekly basket.
New Moon Farms is one of nine farms participanting in Open Farm Day for the first time this year. The eighth Open Farm Day will be held on Saturday, July 30th from 10:00am-4:00pm. Visitors of the farm will have the opportunity to visit with calves, see milking demonstrations at 10:30 and 3:30, go on pasture walks, garden tours, and purchase meats and vegetables. In addition to these attractions New Moon Farms will be serving up grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch starting at 11:00. On Open Farm Day, Chris and Sarah are looking forward to giving out Cabot cheese samples and introducing their neighbors to their cows. Beyond Open Farm Day, Chris and Sarah are looking forward to settling in to their farm and to the expansion of their family, their herd, and their CSA.
On Saturday, June 18th from 5-9pm Greyrock Farm CSA will be hosting a Burger Night! Visit the farm, located at 6100 East Lake Rd, Cazenovia NY, get a grass-fed Greyrock burger, local beer, and enjoy the surroundings!
The Cornell Small Farms Program and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) will conduct a week-long Armed to Farm workshop at the White Eagle Lodge in Hamilton, New York this summer from August 8th through August 12th. The program is available to military veterans at no cost in New York State who are interested in starting a farm or who have been farming for less than 10 years and who wish tolearn more skills, explore sustainable and diverse enterprises, and improve or change their farm business plans. The program includes classroom and on-farm learning through exercises, discussions, presentations, hands-on skill practice, and tours at host farms in the area. Applications are due by July 1st and can be submitted online here.
Open Farm Day
Mark Your Calendar!
No other event gives you the opportunity to connect to local farms like Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County’s Open Farm Day! The annual event, now in its eighth year, invites the public to tour farms of all kinds for a day of agricultural fun that’s sure to offer something for everyone. This year’s Open Farm Day will take place July 30th from 10 am until 4 pm. Throughout Madison County, 38 farms are graciously opening their gates to visitors to share with them their unique farm operations, giving guests the opportunity to interact with working farms.
The Madison County fair will be held on the fairgrounds in Brookfield, NY -- July 7th through the 10th. Join Madison County CCE throughout the week in the Larkin Building for a wide variety of displays and activities offered! Join Madison County 4-H on Youth Day beginning at 10am. On Sunday, July 10th there will be a "Meet Your Farmer events from 11:30am-2:30pm in the Larkin Building. Sunday is "Local Agriculture Day" at the fair and will include free samples and activities with Madison County farmers.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment benefits.
