Alex Webel
The convergence of people, culture, and the outdoors ignites Alex’s passion for involvement in land management and assisting others in realizing their land use dreams. As a third-generation landowner with a background in land management, he’s got the right combination of authenticity and curiosity to help you connect with the right people to find your right place.
A native of the Northeast, Alex spent summers on his grandparents’ ranch out West sparking his interest in the land and the cultivation of a “sense of place.” After eight years in farm and land management, he continues to advise and guide potential buyers and future and current owners with their land-holding operations.
A culinary aficionado, Alex lives with his wife, Bliss, daughter, Nellie, and son, Bo, in Charlottesville, Virginia. He’s insistent that his children also discover the thrill of downhill skiing, and they all enjoy spending time fly fishing, traveling and exploring new places, and discovering the local cuisine, whether in the Blue Ridge Mountains or wide expanses of the West.
Talk land with Alex.
Lewis Family Farm
Sections
Overview
Executive Summary
The Lewis Family Farm is an exceptional organic farm raising grass-fed beef in New York’s North Country. The property spans 1,117± acres, 850± of which are in pasture. The backdrop for the farm could not be any more picturesque, with Lake Champlain to the east and the 46 highest peaks of the Adirondack Mountains (“the 46-ers”) to the west.
The farm’s operating strategy quite literally encompasses everything from the ground up, beginning with the soil. Drain tile has been installed under all 850± acres of pasture to eliminate runoff and soil compaction, the result is nutrient rich, resilient sod with root systems running several feet deep. In turn, this creates the foundation for the rotational grazing program. The accompanying improvements match the quality of the land and everything from the fencing to the barns to the six homes has been thoughtfully designed and well executed. It could easily support an operation much larger in size.
The property’s abundant appeal extends well beyond agriculture. The charming lakeside town of Essex can be reached in under ten minutes and the two northeastern landmarks on the farm’s doorstep – Lake Champlain and the iconic Adirondack Mountains – provide year-round outdoor recreation. The Lewis Family Farm is a rare opportunity to step into a first-rate organic, grass-fed cattle operation on a pristine farm in a highly scenic and desirable area.
Just the Facts
- 1,117± acres
- 850± acres of pasture land
- USDA certified grass-fed and NOFA-NY Certified Organic
- Fully fenced and cross-fenced, designed for intensive grazing
- Drain tile installed under all pastures and barns
- Extensive agricultural infrastructure, including ample hay and equipment storage
- Fully heated, multi-bay farm shop with farm office and upstairs apartment
- On-site, farm-use quarry
- Four houses, including a 19th century main farmhouse (five bedrooms, 3,400± square feet)
- Two additional, partially finished homes
- Exceptional recreation nearby on Lake Champlain and in Adirondack Park
- Under ten minutes to Essex, New York
- One hour to Burlington, Vermont and Burlington International Airport via the Lake Champlain ferry
- Four-and-a-half hours to New York City and two hours to Montreal
- Excellent potential for a family compound
- Adjacent to the 3,700± acre Split Rock Wild Forest (part of the Adirondack Forest Preserve)
- Not under conservation easement
General Description
The Lewis Family Farm occupies an idyllic stretch of countryside, surrounded by working lands, small farmhouses, and attractive second homes near Lake Champlain. The eastern portion of the farm looks towards and over the lake, while views to the west capture the Adirondack 46ers (the highest 46 peaks in the mountain range).
In many ways, the approach to the farm begins with the main house, a classic 19th-century farmhouse situated off Whallons Bay Road. Adjacent to the house is the hobby barn, a beautiful old multi-purpose building. To the east is the main three-and-a-half-acre pond. Continuing into the farm is the farm shop complex, which serves as the nerve center for farm operations. It comprises the shop barn, a large, multi-bay workshop, and the farm office with an upstairs apartment. Three equipment barns measuring 3,200± square feet each sit nearby.
Further east towards the lake is a mature sugar bush. Although no longer in use, gravel roads were installed to access all areas that were tapped, and water and electric are on-site. The North Country is well known for its maple syrup production and a revived syrup operation would be an excellent addition to the ongoing farm activities.
Other components of the farm operation include the Hay Barn complex in the northwestern corner of the farm (a collection of nine additional barns utilized for hay storage and miscellaneous farm operations), as well as the cattle working facility in the northeast corner of the property on Middle Road. The same drainage considerations found in the pastures extend to the barns. All barn pads sit on top of drain tile to ensure work areas and buildings remain dry with maximum functionality.
Broker's Comments
Simply put, the Lewis Family Farm is special. The scenery and location are spectacular and the land is pristine. When adding in the established organic, grass-fed beef operation, this is a rare offering that offers both immediate utility and the clear potential to create a true legacy farm.
Locale
Location
The Lewis Family Farm is located within ten minutes of Essex – a tiny, picturesque town on the western shore of Lake Champlain. Known for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture, it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and exudes a quiet, small-town charm. The lakefront recreation, surrounding countryside, the working farms, and proximity to Adirondack Park add to its abundant appeal. Essex is also home to the Essex-Charlotte Ferry, one of two ferries that regularly traverse Lake Champlain, providing an easy and efficient year-round connection to Burlington and Vermont.
From the Vermont side of Lake Champlain, downtown Burlington is a short drive from the ferry dock. Burlington is a lively small city that is home to the University of Vermont, a vibrant arts scene, delicious farm-to-table dining, and a wide array of amenities and resources. It’s also home to Burlington International Airport, which offers direct commercial air service to 18 cities throughout the U.S
Approximate distances to nearby towns, cities, and airports:
Towns/Cities
- Essex, NY: 6 minutes/4 miles
- Willsboro, NY: 10 minutes/6 miles
- Burlington, VA: 1 hour/23 miles (via ferry)
- Montreal, Canada: 1hour 40 minutes/96 miles
- New York, NY: 4 hours 20 minutes/280 miles
Airports
- Plattsburgh International: 35 minutes/34 miles
- Adirondack Regional: 1 hour 15 minutes/55 miles
- Burlington International: 1 hour 5 minutes/25 miles (via ferry)
Locale
The North Country is no secret, yet it retains a somewhat undiscovered feeling for those less familiar with the region. It encompasses a wide swath of northern New York that stretches from the Thousand Islands across the Adirondacks to the western shores of Lake Champlain. It is a rural region that balances rugged wilderness, agriculture, history, and rural charm.
Lake Champlain has played a key role in the area for centuries, dating back to Native American and Colonial times when it was a strategic military and commerce corridor. Today it supports a vibrant mix of boating, tourism, recreation, wildlife, and waterfront communities. The lake sits less than a mile down the road from the farm and there is a public marina nearby in Essex.
Adirondack Park is a sprawling six-million-acre tapestry of protected lands to the west of the farm. Established in 1892 as a byproduct of the Great Camps of the Gilded Age, it was one of the first wilderness preservation efforts in the U.S. Unlike traditional state and national parks, it is a unique mix of public and private lands, with more than 100 communities and 130,000± residents living within its boundaries. The lands within the park are comprised of an awesome patchwork of dense forests, more than 3,000 lakes and ponds, thousands of miles of rivers and trails, and peaks of the Adirondack Mountains. Recreational pursuits within the park are wide-ranging and never-ending. In short, it’s an unparalleled resource on the Farm’s doorstep.
Climate
This area has a true North Country climate with four distinct seasons. The long summer days are warm and pleasant, with low humidity and average highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. Autumn brings crisp air and vibrant foliage, gradually cooling temperatures into the 50s. Winters are snowy and colder, with average highs in the 20s and lows in the single digits. Spring arrives in April and the landscape comes alive as temperatures steadily rise into the 50s and above. Annual rainfall averages around 38 inches and annual snowfall is approximately 75 inches.
Property Details
Acreage (Deeded & Leased)
An approximate breakdown of the acreage on the farm is as follows:
- Pastures - 846± acres
- House Sites and Barns - 36± acres
- Wooded - 117± acres
- Other (ponds, roads, non-pasture, open ground, etc.) - 118± acres
- Total - 1,117± acres
Taxes
Annual property taxes are approximately $21,607.
Recreational Amenities
Recreational Considerations
The recreational opportunities surrounding the farm are boundless, starting with Lake Champlain, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the United States. The 122-mile-long lake reaches depths up to 400 feet and is a favorite destination for boating, fishing, and a number of water-based activities. Nearby, Adirondack State Park is an outdoor person’s paradise and is home to endless hiking, climbing, paddling, hunting, and fishing for both trout and warm water species. Whiteface Mountain is 45 minutes from the farm and features the largest vertical drop (3,420 feet) of any ski resort east of the Rockies.
The area around the farm has rich and diverse wildlife populations, including whitetail deer, moose, Eastern Wild Turkeys, black bears, and fox. Seasonal waterfowl are also frequently found on the farm ponds and New York State biannually stocks pheasants in the Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest. While hunting has not been a focus on the farm under current ownership, ample on-site opportunity exists for future owners.
General Operations
General Operations
Grazing is spread across 11 larger pastures, which together measure 850± acres. A six-strand barbed-wire perimeter fence surrounds the pastures and runs along the road frontage and property boundaries. All interior pasture fences are built with two-strand, electrified high-tensile to facilitate rotational grazing. The farm manager estimates the stocking rate is one AUM per acre, although the farm is currently stocked at a much lower density and a portion of the pastures are utilized for hay production.
As mentioned, all pastures have drain tile installed, ensuring there is virtually no runoff on the farm or soil compaction. The resulting soils support deep rooted, drought-resistant sod throughout the pastures. Further preventing runoff are nearly three dozen water and sediment control basins (WASCOBs) installed in key drainage areas.
No pesticides or herbicides are used on the property and the farm is both USDA grass-fed certified and NOFA-NY Certified Organic. Simply put, the owner’s goal is to raise healthy beef on pristine land in sync with nature. The success of the farm's methods can be seen in the diversity of wildlife and bird populations, which include important indicator species such as grasshopper sparrows and short-eared owls.
The barns and support structures are concentrated in three areas—the farm shop, the hay barn complex, and the working facility. Spread among those sites are 17 barns, ranging from smaller equipment barns to the maintenance shop to three large hay barns measuring approximately 80’x250’ each.