Majestic Farm

About Majestic Farm

Sara and Brett Budde raise an AWA-certified flock of sheep, laying hens, and herd of pigs at Majestic Farm in Mountain Dale, NY. Both Brett and Sara have a background in arts and music; however, they developed a love for farming when they moved to Sullivan County. The land at Majestic Farm is primarily woodland with a rocky, free-draining sub-soil, which is ideal for raising pigs. The herd of traditional Large Black hogs is happy to graze the vegetation on the forest understory. As Sara explains, the pigs are rugged and perfectly suited for living outdoors in the colder New York climate: “They are friendly and easy to handle, have great mothering instincts, and love to forage the farm’s large amounts of shrubs, grass and trees all year long.” Sara and Brett also lease a nearby pasture that is better suited for raising their sheep. Majestic Farm is currently home to 25 Kathadin and Dorper sheep, although the Buddes are slowly growing the flock to about 100. Working with their farm manager, Michelle Lipari, the farmers rotationally graze the flock through the leased pasture and supplement their feed with hay during the winter months. The sheep are a hair-breed, which are characteristically low-maintenance animals and their coats make them well suited for living outdoors during all types of weather. As farmers, Sara and Brett are dedicated to raising their livestock in a sustainable manner, and they insist the animals deserve the highest level of welfare possible: “At Majestic, we believe that farming is living, and we treat our animals the way we ourselves wish to be treated,” Brett explains. Sara and Brett aim to raise their animals to the highest welfare standards and to provide affordable, high-quality, sustainably-raised meat and eggs to their local community. They hope to grow their family on the farm and offer educational resources for the community in the future. As to why applied for AWA certification, the Buddes explain “we wanted to become part of an organization that stands for our values. We also figured we could use the help Animal Welfare Approved offer farmers in labeling design, marketing, networking, and grant opportunities.” AWA certified pork, lamb, and eggs from Majestic Farm is available at the Rocky Hill Farmers Market in Rocky Hill, CT, and through the Rusty Plow CSA. Sara and Brett also make monthly deliveries to New York City. For more information, contact Sara and Brett directly at [email protected] or (917) 566-6120.