CLOVER MEAD FARM

Chesterfield, NY  - Champlain Region Special Situation

 Certified Working Dairy Farm – Markets Organic NYS Cheeses

 

Price: $ 647,000           Cash Flow: $ 40,000 in ‘07 -- $ 50,000 plus forecast

BUSINESS: Clover Mead Farm is a 112 acre farm with a circa 1820 modernized residence and is a (a) fully equipped facility for production of certified organic milk from its grass fed resident herd Jersey cows, that (b) has cheese making production equipment that produces over 6500 pounds of eight types of critically acclaimed NY State organic cheese products that are (c) marketed in the region at farmers markets and also at the Cheese Store on the premises. Annual cheese sales have passed $ 85,000. There is promise in the upcoming year of sales at the $ 125,000 level that would produce cash income, all in, to the owner approaching $ 50,000. 

INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS: A fantastic, challenging and fun northeastern version of the California vineyard/wine-selling model, with strong satisfaction and profit potential parallels.

• A maturing, unique fully integrated turnkey “organic food” business
• Certified organic milk and cheese products, … 8 products under one brand
• Fully equipped 112 acre working farm, with 20 animal herd, barns and full machinery compliment
• Cheese factory producing over 11,000 pounds annually, with newly opened on premises Cheese Store and Cafe
• December through March “time off” for owner’s holiday or rejuvenation
• Comfortable 3 bedrooms fully modernized charming 1820’s residence
• Quality rural lifestyle with Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks High Peaks nearby
• Tremendous upside marketing potential for expanded production, expanded outlets and Internet or catalogue selling

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT: Clover Mead’s 112 acre site is generally flat and half wooded The rest of the property is pasture or vegetable garden, or residence and farm structures. It is located 12 miles to the west of Lake Champlain, with views, at the northeast edge of Essex County, near the nationally famous tourist attraction of Ausable Chasm. There is a charming three story fully updated 1820’s Farm Residence with three bedrooms, a modern country kitchen, paved stone patio, enclosed dining porch and kitchen garden. The Main Barn of 7000 square feet contains a two bedroom farmer’s apartment, storage for forage and equipment, a four stall milking parlor, a spotlessly clean cheese manufacturing room that is fully equipped, an adjacent waxing and packing anteroom and mechanical facilities. A newly constructed 750 square foot Cheese Shop and Café is adjacent, and contains walk-in cooler, standing display refrigerators, counter prep and stove equipment and a number of guest tables. There is also an in-ground temperature controlled Cheese Cellar that can accommodate 5000 pounds of ageing or stored product, an equipment storage shed, and three Quonset / plastic structures that include a calf nursery “mootel’, a greenhouse and a specially configured 50’x30’ cow shelter.  Clover Mead is fully equipped and turnkey both as dairy and cheese manufacturer: the herd comprises 20+ resident Jersey cows and there is miscellaneous farm equipment such as new tractor with attached loader, spreader, etc., and all necessary cheese making vats and molds and processing and wrapping items.  

OPPORTUNITY: This is a unique, profitable working farm and cheese manufacturer that makes a profit, is growing, and only keeps its owner busy 3/4^th of the year. A buyer can continue the momentum, expand production and profits of the current organic cheese business or, if he wishes, use Clover Mead as a “platform” for expanding, marshalling and selling a full range of “Upstate NY Organic Products”.  Internet marketing and a catalogue are a natural!  Alternatively, a buyer could focus on the bucolic aspect of a beautiful nicely located residence in a farm-like setting with views of the lake and the mountains, with or without the animals and the business, purchase net of the value of the herd, cheese inventory and the specialized farm and cheese equipment.

FINANCIALS: The owner lives rent free with significant perks from a special farm based business that had sales approaching $90,000 in 2007 and produced cash profits. It has planned growth that will expand the current EBITDO (Cash profit before financial costs and taxes) to a level above $ 50,000 in the near future.

PRICE AND TERMS:  The turnkey situation (land, residence, barns and associated structures, 20 animal herd, farm and cheese making equipment and cheese inventory) is turnkey priced at $647,000. Herd, equipment and inventory may be separately considered.  Some local financing is available, but a meaningful equity investment will be required.

Listing : 3DLC1208   

Also offered through Adirondack Country Homes Realty, Darleen March, Broker