Other Ag News: Farm Transitions and Transformations: Small Farms Radio in Conversation with Northland Sheep Dairy

Starting a farm is difficult. But what do you do when you want to retire from one? In the newest episode of our Small Farms Radio podcast, our Associate Director of Distance Learning Erica Frenay discussed farm transitions and retirement with Maryrose Livingston and Donn Hewes of Northland Sheep Dairy. Through their story of farm purchase, operation, and transition to retirement, they have learned valuable lessons for farmers at all stages of their careers. 

When Maryrose and Donn moved across the country from Washington state, they bought a cow dairy in Locke, NY. Curious to learn more about the region and how their fellow farmers ran their operations, the couple visited the sheep farm of Karl and Jane North in Marathon, NY. When they arrived, the Norths shared that they were looking to sell their operation, the Northland Sheep Dairy, in order to retire in the coming years. Maryrose and Donn were skeptical, but kept in touch.

“We were cow people!” Maryrose laughed.

After a few months touring Europe and learning more about sheep and goat dairying, the couple returned to Locke and sold their farm. They entered a partnership with the Norths and began the gradual process of transitioning ownership of the farm.

In 2002, Maryrose and Donn moved to Northland and began producing grass-fed sheep cheese. They have prided themselves on their use of exclusively draft horse power on the farm. A few years ago, Donn and Maryrose found themselves in the same situation that Jane and Karl did over 20 years ago; they are ready to retire, but with no children to take over the business, they must begin the process of transitioning ownership of the farm. Reflecting on their experience of purchasing the farm, they have learned a few valuable lessons that they have applied in the process of finding someone to continue their legacy at Northland.

The first lesson: to be intentional and gradual. When Donn and Maryrose first became interested in buying Northland, they did not jump in as full-time operators. They spent several years as partners, with Maryrose working as an employee of Jane and Karl, and Donn working off the farm as a firefighter. They learned about the property, their experience with sheep, and their values and philosophies surrounding agriculture.

“They weren’t in a hurry. They were thinking ahead,” Donn remarked about the Norths. “It was helpful to take that time to get to know them … When we did get around to the nitty gritty, we had that experience already.”

Maryrose and Donn applied this experience to their current transition plan. They have maintained apartments and housing on the farm for many years, and have had a host of employees and interns move through to learn about farming, work with sheep, and get to know Donn and Maryrose. While they never expected that one of these people would be the perfect one to take over the farm, they kept their minds open and were honest with interns and employees about their eventual plans to retire.

“I think of our transition as a transition every day,” Donn said, referring to his mindset that farm transitions must be a gradual, slow process that one works toward over time.

Through this ongoing process of finding the next owner of Northland, Donn and Maryrose were not necessarily looking for a person with the perfect amount of experience or training; instead, they were hoping to find someone with an intrinsic passion for Northland, someone whom they would feel confident to carry on the Northland legacy.

“One of the things we’ve been figuring out between us is how to make them [interns or potential future owners] feel invested in this place,” Donn said. “It’s not just ownership, it’s not just a title. It turns out it’s very little of that — it seems like it’s that, but it’s not. It’s about making them feel that they can invest in something, that they can delve into something.”

In keeping an open mind about what the right next owner may be like, Maryrose and Donn learned the next important lesson: to make compromises, but stick by your core values. When they took over the farm from the Norths, Donn recalled that there was an expectation that they would continue to farm in a similar way. They have made sure to keep their values in mind during their own transition.

The new owners plan to farm medicinal and culinary herbs, along with a small cow dairy production. Donn and Maryrose have kept an open mind to this change, but have remained firm in their wish that the new owners continue to use draft horse power and keep heavy machinery off the farm. They are cognizant of striking this balance between their own wishes for the legacy of their farm, and the dreams and aspirations of the new owners.

“If someone had wanted to keep Northland Sheep Dairy going, that would have been great,” Maryrose said. “But it continues, just not with our name, which is fine!”

The final lesson: they have learned to be creative and think far ahead. When Donn and Maryrose bought Northland, they struck a unique deal with Jane and Karl. The Norths kept a life estate on the farm — this means they would continue to live in their home on the farm, and Maryrose and Donn could buy the property for a lower price that would account for the value “lost” by not being able to use the house. They also incorporated a rent feature, so that Jane and Karl could pay Maryrose and Donn should they want to move away from the farm early. This allowed them to buy the farm at a lower price, and made the transition of the farm even more gradual. The Norths lived on the property until 2012, during which time they enjoyed their home and were able to see how Maryrose and Donn operated Northland.

In their own transition, Maryrose and Donn have also been creative with setting up a life estate. This has given them a unique “source of income” — by not having to pay for a new home, they have more to put away for their retirement. 

They have also had to think far ahead. Their transition has forced them to consider future needs such as end-of-life care, and has made them deeply consider their wishes for retirement. They have also had to grapple with their feelings about seeing someone else work their land, perhaps in a way very different that they had previously.

At the present moment, Donn and Maryrose are delighted to stay at Northland, and plan to live out their retirement in the place they have called home for almost 25 years.

“We’re never gonna leave here,” Maryrose chuckled. “Put us in the compost!”

Listen to the full episode to hear more about Maryrose and Donn’s story, and what they have learned in the process of their farm transition.

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