OXFORD — Ryan’s Yak Farm, located at 368 Kilroy Road in Oxford, NY, will be one of the many farms participating in Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Open Farm Day, July 18.

CTE Barbering Teacher and local barber Cody Elizabeth Ryan and her husband Craig, a full-time logger and farmer, run Ryan’s Yak Farm in Chenango County with their three children.

The Ryans actively participate in local farmers’ markets and produce and sell hay. They look forward to visitors on CCE's Open Farm Day and are currently building a Milk House Market on their property. The market will feature their products and other locally made goods.

"We hope to have our Milk House Market ready for the event," said Cody.

In addition to their yaks, the Ryan farm is also home to mini-Highlands, a mini-Hereford, goats, sheep, Kune Kune pigs, and even a mule and horse. They are a working farm first and foremost, focused on healthy animals and responsible land stewardship.
With an intentional expansion into agritourism, Cody said a large part of their mission is educating both the local community and the growing online community about yaks and modern agriculture.

“Many people have never seen a yak in person. Through farm events, homeschool visits, and sharing daily life online, we hope to reconnect people to where their food comes from,” Cody added.

She said the family dairy farm began in 1906 and since has transitioned to raising beef cattle, all due to one sweet yak named Jack, a survivor of an animal abuse case.

Cody explained a yak is a bovine originally native to the Himalayan region. They’re hardy, efficient grazers and very well suited to the Northeast climate. They require less feed than traditional cattle and thrive on pasture.

She said they are intelligent, calm animals and added, “Truly magnificent to watch.”

Due to the on-going investigation of the abuse case, Cody cannot share information about the previous situation of the yak, but the Ryans knew they could save him and give him a loving and caring environment.

“When we learned Jack’s story, it broke our hearts,” she said. “One evening Craig came home and asked, “Do you want a yak?”

“We knew absolutely nothing about yaks but knew if we brought him home, it would be forever and we meant that,” Cody said.
They brought Jack to their farm and quickly learned yaks are herd animals and need companionship.

“So, we drove up near Lake Placid and brought our next yak Diane to the farm,” she continued. “From there, the herd grew naturally and today we have 12 yaks with the hopes of welcoming six more calves this summer.”

“While we raise some yaks for meat, we are also intentionally building a strong, healthy herd through responsible breeding and rotational grazing,” she said.

“In many ways, we rescued Jack, but the truth is, he rescued us too, Cody said. “He gave us renewed purpose and direction at a time when farming felt uncertain. Through him, we found a way to honor the legacy of this land while building something unique for the next generation.”
Cody noted at the end of the day, their farm is about legacy. It’s about keeping farmland in agriculture, raising animals responsibly, and showing their children what hard work and stewardship look like.

“Jack may have been the beginning of our yak journey, but he reminded us why this land matters so much,” she added.

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.

To schedule a visit to the farm, email ryan.cody003@gmail.com or call 607-725-6083. Visits will be by appointment only.

To follow the Ryan’s Yak Farm story, visit their Facebook page or TikTok page at Ryan’s Yak Farm.