Visit Penwingle Farm on Cornell Cooperative Extension Open Farm Day, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 18 and meet the two registered Painted Desert rams, Peanut and his Uncle Hickory. The Penwingle Farm is a veteran-run and owned farm. Owners Jennifer and Curtis Caci look forward to greeting visitors to their farm, located at 167 Joslyn Road in Guilford. (Photo by Jennifer Caci)

GUILFORD — Penwingle Farm is a veteran-run and owned farm. Owners Jennifer and Curtis Caci signed up for Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Open Farm Day, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 18, and look forward to greeting visitors to their farm, located at 167 Joslyn Road in Guilford.

The Caci’s established the Guilford farm in 2021 and produce a variety of products, including berries, vegetables and maple syrup. They also produce dry, square bale hay.

During Open Farm Day, Jennifer said they will show off their animals, offer wagon rides and discuss rotational grazing and the establishment of silvopasture on their farm.  

Silvopasture is a practice of integrating trees, forage, and the grazing of domesticated animals in a mutually beneficial way.

“We think it is extremely valuable for the community to experience the farming that's happening locally,” she said. “Our family farms should be a great source of pride for the county and we would like to show people why.  

“We’re very excited about it,” said Jennifer. “I think it is a great opportunity to show the community some unique animals as well as some sustainable farming practices.”

She said they love being around the animals and also love driving tractors and also enjoy the fulfillment of producing things from the land and giving back to the community.

“We have heritage breed Cayuga ducks, Cotton Patch geese and American Blackbelly hair sheep,” Jennifer said. “We also have Painted Desert hair sheep.

She said the hair sheep require a bit less attention because they don't need to be sheared like wool sheep.  

Jennifer noted they will have their products for sale and additional products from the Oxford farmers market vendors.

She explained every day starts with chores which entail feeding and caring for the animals before turning them out.  

During the summer, they make hay whenever the weather permits, as well as working on equipment, tending to vegetables in the high tunnel and all the berry bushes.

“We are always trying to improve on how we do things as well as finding sustainable practices that help maintain the natural balance on and around the farm,” said Jennifer.

When the Caci’s aren’t busy farming, they show their animals at several fairs and have several sheep that are leased and shown by 4-H kids. Plus, she said they are vendors at the Oxford and Pharsalia farmers’ markets.

Jennifer grew up on a farm in Orange County and started farming in Chenango County in 2021 when she retired from the Army after 29 years of service.

She said the farm dates back to the 1840’s, but they bought it in 2007 and had a caretaker until 2020, when she retired from the U.S. Army. Curtis retired a year later.

“I grew up on a farm a couple hours south but many of the farms down there are gone now,” she added, “So I knew I needed to go farther upstate if I wanted to farm.”

Jennifer said her husband Curtis is originally from Georgia and NewYork winters have been a big change for him but he's embraced the farm life.  

She said they are both combat veterans several times over and the farm is a healing place for them.

Colonel Jennifer Caci’s career in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, included seven combat deployments to Afghanistan and leadership of the 47th Combat Support Hospital at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

They are big proponents of the role that agriculture can play for veterans after their service and are members of the NY chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition.

She said they will have information about NY-FVC at the farm during Open Farm Day.

CCE Open Farm Day is all about bringing the community together to meet and support local farmers and supplying fresh produce for a healthier lifestyle choice.

To sign up for Open Farm Day, contact CCE Ag Economic Development Specialist Rich Taber at rbt44@cornell.edu.