Ramble On

Agroforestry R&D Farm and Events Venue

About The Farm

Ramble On’s mission is to make
agroforestry culturally accessible:
financial viability, aesthetic vitality, vibrant ecology

42.50, -76.59 — 15 minutes north of Ithaca

What’s on the farm

  • 15 acres of chestnuts: 30 different seedling varieties of Chinese and Chinese-American hybrids

  • 10 acres of timber: Black Locust and Hybrid Poplar

  • 3 acres deer-fenced with black locust fenceposts, and irrigated

  • 1 acre of mixed orchard, planted with 16 types of fruit, with vegetables grown in between the trees

  • 4 acres of riparian forest along the 600 feet of Willow Creek

Farm Practices that build Organic Matter & Biodiversity

  • Site Ripping

  • Cover Crops

  • Compost & Woodchip Application

  • Windbreaks

  • Soil Inoculants & Beneficial Foliar Sprays

  • Riparian Tree Planting

  • Biodiversity Tree Plantings

Fields & Buildings

Event space

The events barn is round pole timber-framed, and made with 95% local wood, much of which was harvested from the farm’s forest. It serves as an 860 sq. ft. venue, with a 10x12 ft stage. The 400 sq. ft. loft-office is furnished and heated.

High Intensity Multi-Species Orchard

3 acres is deer-fenced with black locust fenceposts, and irrigated. One acre of orchard is planted with 16 types of fruit, with vegetables grown in between the trees.

Camping & Riparian Corridor

4 acres of riparian forest along the 600 feet of creek frontage invites with a trail, campsite, and stage. 10 acres of flat hardwood forest is connected by hedgerows of black locust, aspen, ash, and linden.

Black Locust Trials

Black locust is a native, rot-resistant hardwood that thrives in the soils of The Finger Lakes. A substitute for tropical hardwoods such as teak, the lumber is used for high-end decking and fenceposts.

Upcoming events

  • Tree Planting Workshop

    Saturday May 3rd at 2:00

    $10, includes entrance to Birding Man

    For small producers and anyone interested in planting trees! We’ll talk about fitting the right tree species to the right soil, see and experience different soil prep methods, and walk through how to plant fruit trees, chestnuts, black locust, willows, and a few other species. Participants can observe or be hands on.

    No need to RSVP! Just show up!

  • BIRDING MAN

    Saturday May 3rd, 2025

    Music! Birdwatching! Farm tour! Local food!

    Come spend a Saturday afternoon and evening celebrating avian biodiversity amidst agroforestry, dancing and marveling at early May peak migration.

    CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

  • Farm Planning for Agroforestry

    Sept. 5-7, 2025

    With Darren Doherty of Regrarians and the Propagate Team, this is the opportunity to lightspeed skip your understanding of whole-farm planning for trees and more.

    Keyline planning from Climate to Forestry.

    Come network and learn.

    More Info

  • Intro to Food Forests

    A hands on course in The Finger Lakes!

    Friday June 20th: Dinner,
    Finger Lakes Cider House
    Saturday June 21st: Full-day course
    Sunday June 22nd: Optional farm tours

    $100/person, includes Saturday Lunch. Camping available.

    More Info + RSVP

Rent the Farm

The Campsite

A place to camp, a forest classroom, or your own woodland venue.

Fall asleep to the sound of the creek, make dinner and memories around a campfire, host a show…
or do all of those things.

This piece of forest was one of the main reasons I fell in love with this property. It’s cool in the summer, with minimal mosquitos.

The platform is 10x12 feet, with a roof over it, and doubles as a stage. The slope of the land creates a natural amphitheater.

The campfire has 4 benches around it, and a grate for cooking. There is ample firewood and buckets to douse.

The Barn

A place to dance, host a down-to-earth get together, or a backyard concert.

Whole trees, rich in character, frame this piece of architecture. An 800 sq ft ground floor invites with sliding barn doors, and an ash staircase leads up to a 320 sq ft furnished loft.

Coppiced willow trees and Jerusalem artichoke encircle the 4,000 sq ft back yard, where there are sit spots, picnic tables, a campfire, and a tetherball pole.

There is a 10x12 foot stage, sized for a 4-person band, or a DJ. The stage is made of black locust. There are picnic tables to seat 40 people.

The barn has electricity.

There is a dry toilet, and hand washing station.