Generations of Youngman Farms
In a 2015 articles by Jo Windman from AG WEB states that only about 10% of farmers successfully transition from generation to generation. Youngman Farms is a four-generation beef farm located in Wolcott, N.Y. The business was started in 1946 by Shawn Youngman’s grandparents, Gordon and Barb Youngman, as a dairy farm. For Shawn, it has been especially difficult with now being the primary owner of the farm and raising three children who are in elementary school alongside his wife, Tasha Marie Youngman.
Allen and Shawn Youngman feed the cows during their early morning chores in Wolcott, N.Y. on Nov. 10, 2020. Since Shawn started working on the farm full-time, he has introduced some new technology such as a cow feeder, manure machine, and a Facebook page which make work faster, more efficient, and social within the community.
Shawn Youngman tries to help his dad, Allen Youngman, fill up the silo in the late 80s. The farm was bought in 1946 by Shawn’s grandparents, Gordon and Barb Youngman as a dairy business. Allen switched the farm to strictly beef around 1970.
Hats hang in Allen and Kim Youngman’s home in Wolcott, N.Y. on Nov. 10, 2020. Allen and Kim’s home are right across the street from the farm.
(Left to right) Sawyer, 4, Aubreigh, 7, and Quill, 2, Youngman run around the house while Shawn sits at the dining table. “The kids don’t usually sit at the table for too long” says Shawn.
The view of the farm from Shawn and his wife, Tasha Youngman’s, kitchen. The home was built by Shawn and his family directly on the farm.
Sawyer, 4, and Aubreigh, 7, try to interact with the cows on the farm in Wolcott, N.Y. on Oct. 8, 2020. “Aubreigh will sometimes call me at 7 o’clock in the morning and tell me that the cows are running low on feed without me even asking her to do that” says Shawn.
Arthur Youngman (right) helps load hay into Quill’s, 2, wheel barrel in Wolcott, N.Y. on Oct. 31, 2020. Arthur has been helping on the farm for as long as he could remember but usually works the night shift.
Shawn unloads hay from his truck to feed the calves in Wolcott, N.Y. on Nov. 16, 2020. The past 2020 season has been one of the driest summers for the farm. The dry summer prevented a lot of the crops from growing forcing the family to plant extra feed and buy hay to make up for the shortage.
Shawn picks up a delivery from another farm they have partnered with in Wolcott N.Y. on Nov. 16, 2020. During COVID, Youngman Farms have had a spike in sales and are trying to keep up with the production. “This past summer has been not only the driest but busiest summer we’ve ever had” says Allen Youngman.
Kevin McCann hangs piece of beef while Shawn presses a lever in Rochester, N.Y. on Oct. 1, 2020. McCann’s Local Meats has become one of Shawn’s most loyal customers and delivers beef to them every week.
Shawn checks to see if the gate is locked and secure in Wolcott, N.Y. on Nov. 16, 2020. Shawn and his family have been preparing as hard as they can for the winter season.
Shawn and Tasha prepare the kids for bed by reading them bedtime stories in Wolcott, N.Y. on Nov. 14, 2020. Every Saturday, Shawn and Tasha watch a movie with the kids but they try to read books to them as often as they can. “Owning a farm is a lifestyle, not a job” says Shawn.