Stone & Thistle Farm: A pastured poultry operation that sells chickens, ducks, turkeys and guinea hens at three regional farmers markets and three markets in the metropolitan New York area

I grew up and worked on our family livestock farm in the Catskill mountain region of New York State. As a boy I kept a flock of several hundred laying hens, and had a small egg delivery route in the nearby town of Delhi. I funded the start of my egg delivery business with a farm service agency youth loan. I was an active 4H member for 12 years. In 2007, after graduating from high school, I enlisted in the army and was stationed in Fort Myer in Arlington, VA serving as a joint service honor guard. I returned to the Catskills and the family farm in 2014 and am currently managing major factions of the farm, including farmers market operations. I am operating a pastured poultry business and plan to substantially increase the business in 2016.

I am running a pastured poultry operation. I sell the chickens, ducks, turkeys and guinea hens at three regional farmers markets and three markets in the metropolitan New York area. I would like to increase the number of poultry we process on farm each year. To be compliant with federal and NYS laws I plan to construct a NYS 5a licensed plant on the farm. This would allow us to process up to 20,000 birds per year.

The purchase of new processing equipment will enhance flow through speed, and allow for increased production. Processing the birds on farm reduces transport time and transportation stress on the birds. Our customers recognize the care we put into growing and processing the poultry we produce. Growing my business and keeping the entire production process under my supervision is important to me. Funds will be used to purchase a scalder, plucker, and transport crates as well as other processing equipment.