There’s something incredibly reinvigorating about stepping away from the daily rhythm of the farm to connect with other beef producers. This past weekend, John and I had the privilege of attending the Pasture to Profits Workshop, hosted by the New York Beef Council. The event featured farm tours, networking opportunities, and an inspiring keynote from social media phenomenon Kendall Ballantine — who generously took time to speak with us about our personal farm goals. Meeting farmers from New York and neighboring states was both encouraging and eye-opening. My mind is overflowing with new ideas and fresh perspectives, so I thought it fitting to organize my thoughts by sharing a recap of the weekend with you.
Otter Creek Farm – A Story of Regeneration and Revival
Our first stop was Otter Creek Farm in Johnsonville, NY — a 440-acre, multi-generational farm that transitioned from dairy to beef in 2018. Otter Creek raises 35 head of grass-fed Red Angus cattle alongside pastured pork and chicken. Co-owner Elizabeth shared that the farm’s revenue stems from three main sources: their cow-calf operation (selling feeder calves), a hay business, and a farm-stay Airbnb. They also market products through an on-site store and CSA shares.
Some key takeaways from Otter Creek Farm included:
- Regenerative Practices: After years of chemical dependency from commercial dairy operations, Otter Creek began a land “detox,” implementing two years of no-till cover crops and strategic terminal grazing. This transition revived their soil health, leading to increased biodiversity and natural productivity.
- Hay Management: By leaving six inches of growth during the first hay cutting — an uncommon practice — the farm tripled its yield on the second cutting, achieving higher quality and quantity simultaneously.
- Soil Health Focus: Working with a soil health consultant, Otter Creek has increased organic matter and balanced soil bacteria and fungi levels through natural management methods.
- Holistic Animal Health: Their cattle enjoy free-choice minerals, clay (for detoxification), salt, solar well water, and apple cider vinegar for gut health. Impressively, they maintain a vaccine-free herd, relying on natural immunity.
- Marketing Approach: Their farm-stay guests are introduced to regenerative farming through welcome bundles and education, selling an experience rather than just a product.
Ghost Light Farm – New Beginnings and Strategic Growth
Our second visit was to Ghost Light Farm in Cambridge, NY. Established in 2020 by first-generation farmers Kate and Bill, Ghost Light Farm manages approximately 65 head of Black Angus and Angus-cross cattle across 170 acres. Though a young farm, Kate and Bill brought with them deep agricultural roots — Kate from a Montana ranching family, and Bill from a Texas grazing operation.
Highlights from Ghost Light Farm included:
- Breeding Strategies: The farm carefully manages four cattle groups — spring calvers, fall calvers, yearlings, and steers — utilizing rotational grazing across 17 pasture lots.
- Feeding Innovations: Given the farm’s hilly, non-hayable land, cattle diets are supplemented with distillers and brewer grains. They creatively dehydrate these wet grains for longer storage life.
- Operational Safeguards: With only one breeding bull, they smartly split the herd into spring and fall calving seasons, safeguarding against a bad breeding year.
- Marketing Adaptations: After facing initial marketing challenges, Ghost Light shifted focus toward value-added products like beef jerky and smash burgers, identifying a customer base more interested in convenience foods than raw cuts of beef.
- Family Involvement: Their 14-year-old son James impressed us all with his mature insight and passion for farming life, proving that Ghost Light is not just a business — it’s a thriving family operation.
Tiashoke Farm Store – Diversifying Farm Income Streams
Our third and final stop was the Tiashoke Farm Store in Schaghticoke, NY. While the main farm operates as a dairy, the farm store has become a thriving destination for local meats, antiques, and seasonal products. Located near the capital district, Tiashoke exemplifies how thoughtful marketing, diversified offerings, and attention to customer experience can elevate a farm into a community landmark.
Though we did not formally tour the farm, simply observing their detailed marketing and event space left a strong impression.
Learning from Kendall Ballantine
Following the farm tours, we had the opportunity to learn from Kendall Ballantine, a first-generation farmer from Canada. In just nine years, Kendall transformed Central Park Farms into a million-dollar business. She shared her journey from corporate marketing to farming success and offered invaluable marketing strategies for small farms like ours.
Even more special, Kendall personally met with John and me to discuss our farm’s aspirations — including our dreams of shipping bundle boxes nationwide and supporting a full-time on-farm salary for John. Her encouragement and practical advice left us motivated and reassured that our goals are achievable.
Final Reflections
The Pasture to Profits Workshop was an inspiring reminder that there are many different paths to success in agriculture. Despite differences in size, focus, or terrain, all the farms we visited shared important principles: rotational grazing, water conservation, direct-to-consumer sales, and strong marketing strategies.
We came away feeling validated in our practices and excited for the future. Like Otter Creek Farm, we are deeply committed to holistic land and animal management. Like Ghost Light Farm, we understand the importance of genetics and connecting with the right customer base. And like Tiashoke Farms, we aim to create a memorable experience for those who visit or support our farm.
More than anything, this weekend affirmed that we are on the right track — and with continued learning, adaptation, and hard work, the future of our farm looks bright.