This past spring, the US Department of Agriculture released results from the 2017 Farm Census, which is taken every five years. For the first time, the survey allowed farming families to list more than one “principal” farmer. Couples who own farms no longer must designate one person—usually a husband—as the principal farmer. As a result, women as a percent of farmers has risen by 26% nationwide and by 36% in New Jersey. Some of this increase may be real—more women involved in farming than in 2012. But most of it is surely due to the methodology change, which finally gives women credit for their work in agriculture. You can support and celebrate these innovative, hard working, resilient women by visiting their Central New Jersey farms, farm markets, farm stands or dining in farm-to-table restaurants or farm-to-fork events where their foods are sourced. Central New Jersey gem Terhune Orchards is a family owned and operated 200-acre farm in Princeton, NJ. Keeping the legacy alive are farmer Pam Mount and her daughters Tannwenn and Reuwai managing farm and winery operations. Along with husband and father, Gary, they are 10th & 11th generation farmers in New Jersey. Since purchasing the Terhune Orchards, they have also become award-winning winemakers. Awarded Vegetable Farmers of the Year, they host annual themed family festivals every year and offer seasonal PYO strawberries, blueberries, apples, peaches, pumpkins and space for private functions in their barns. In addition, they host special wine themed events and tastings and special farm-to-table events. Check out the rest of the Central New Jersey women who tirelessly work to put food on our table. Download the NEW agritourism map over at DiscoverCentralNJ.com and start planning your farm escape! And if you’re car-less, many of these farms are just a quick cab ride away from the nearest bus or train stop via NJ
This past spring, the US Department of Agriculture released results from the 2017 Farm Census, which is taken every five years. For the first time, the survey allowed farming families to list more than one “principal” farmer. Couples who own farms no longer must designate one person—usually a husband—as the principal farmer. As a result, women as a percent of farmers has risen by 26% nationwide and by 36% in New Jersey. Some of this
Revel in the fall foliage and orchards of Dutchess Tourism, Inc.and pick apples till the cows come home! The bus will make stops in the quaint town of Rhinebeck for lunch on your own. Then we’ll stop at the friendly petting zoo and get lost in the corn maze at local favorite, Kesicke Farm Cattle. Next, we’ll travel to historic Rose Hill Farm for apple picking. NEW for 2019, they have added a cider tasting room. We’ll then proceed to the idyllic Greig Farm for pygmy goat feeding, the indoor farmer’s market and café (and more apple picking if you wish.) Tour includes guide, farm entrance fees, corn maze and transportation. Pick up at 9am and return to Bryant Park on NW corner of 6th Ave. / 42nd St. by 7:30pm. $79/pp.
Revel in the fall foliage and orchards of Dutchess Tourism, Inc.and pick apples till the cows come home! The bus will make stops in the quaint town of Rhinebeck for lunch on your own. Then we’ll stop at the friendly petting zoo and get lost in the corn maze at local favorite, Kesicke Farm Cattle. Next, we’ll travel to historic Rose Hill Farm for apple picking. NEW for 2019, they have added a cider tasting
Revel in the fall foliage and orchards of Dutchess Tourism, Inc.and pick apples till the cows come home! The bus will make stops in the quaint town of Rhinebeck for lunch on your own. Then we’ll stop at the friendly petting zoo and get lost in the corn maze at local favorite, Kesicke Farm Cattle. Next, we’ll travel to historic Rose Hill Farm for apple picking. NEW for 2019, they have added a cider tasting room. We’ll then proceed to the idyllic Greig Farm for pygmy goat feeding, the indoor farmer’s market and café (and more apple picking if you wish.) Tour includes guide, farm entrance fees, corn maze and transportation. Pick up at 9am and return to Bryant Park on NW corner of 6th Ave. / 42nd St. by 7:30pm. $79/pp.
Revel in the fall foliage and orchards of Dutchess Tourism, Inc.and pick apples till the cows come home! The bus will make stops in the quaint town of Rhinebeck for lunch on your own. Then we’ll stop at the friendly petting zoo and get lost in the corn maze at local favorite, Kesicke Farm Cattle. Next, we’ll travel to historic Rose Hill Farm for apple picking. NEW for 2019, they have added a cider tasting
Hop on MTA Metro-North Railroad and revel in the fall foliage and orchards of Dutchess Tourism, Inc. and pick apples till the cows come home! The bus will make stops in the quaint town of Rhinebeck for lunch and then travel to historic Rose Hill Farm for apple picking. NEW for 2019: a cider tasting room! We’ll then proceed to the idyllic Greig Farm for pygmy goat feeding, more apple picking and the indoor farmers market and cafe. Last, we’ll explore the friendly petting zoo and get lost in the corn maze at local favorite, Kesicke Farm Cattle!
Hop on MTA Metro-North Railroad and revel in the fall foliage and orchards of Dutchess Tourism, Inc. and pick apples till the cows come home! The bus will make stops in the quaint town of Rhinebeck for lunch and then travel to historic Rose Hill Farm for apple picking. NEW for 2019: a cider tasting room! We’ll then proceed to the idyllic Greig Farm for pygmy goat feeding, more apple picking and the indoor farmers
Take a ride on MTA Metro-North Railroad and explore the culinary mecca and historic town of Rhinebeck and visit the bountiful pick-your-own berry and fruit farms of Dutchess Tourism, Inc.. Stops include Greig Farm, with its cozy café, indoor farmers market, pygmy goats and fruit fields and Rose Hill Farm, with its fruit orchards and – NEW for 2019 – a cider tasting room! Pending fruit availability, pick blueberries, blackberries, peaches and more to your heart’s content. Then we’ll explore the friendly petting zoo and stocked farm market at Kesicke Farm Cattle! Cap off your day with dinner in Poughkeepsie before you head home with your farm fresh bounty.
Take a ride on MTA Metro-North Railroad and explore the culinary mecca and historic town of Rhinebeck and visit the bountiful pick-your-own berry and fruit farms of Dutchess Tourism, Inc.. Stops include Greig Farm, with its cozy café, indoor farmers market, pygmy goats and fruit fields and Rose Hill Farm, with its fruit orchards and – NEW for 2019 – a cider tasting room! Pending fruit availability, pick blueberries, blackberries, peaches and more to your
Oh, the sweet life in Dutchess County! Join us on a wine and strawberry adventure from NYC! We’ll start the day at McEnroe Organic Farm in the midst of their strawberry season. Pick strawberries, shop on your own for yummy baked goods, pony up to the King’s Highway Cider Shack for a drink and bask in the summer sun on this gorgeous farm, known for its sustainability practices. Then, we’ll head to the renowned Millbrook Vineyards & Winery for a tasting of 5 wines as you soak up vineyard views and then get a tour of the winery. We’ll cap off the day with a visit to Clinton Vineyards for a tour, a wine tasting and a farm-fresh dinner, sourced from local ingredients. You’ll return to the city refreshed, renewed and feeling sweet! Price includes tours, wine tastings and dinner. Additional glasses or bottles can be purchased for a fee. Pick up at 10am and return to Bryant Park on NW corner of 6th Ave. / 42nd St. by 9pm. $149/pp.
Oh, the sweet life in Dutchess County! Join us on a wine and strawberry adventure from NYC! We’ll start the day at McEnroe Organic Farm in the midst of their strawberry season. Pick strawberries, shop on your own for yummy baked goods, pony up to the King’s Highway Cider Shack for a drink and bask in the summer sun on this gorgeous farm, known for its sustainability practices. Then, we’ll head to the renowned Millbrook
Here at EscapeMaker, we are on a mission to connect all you adventurous, curious, farm- and food-loving travelers to unique local experiences. We're here to open your eyes to the herculean effort that goes into getting those fresh apples into your farmers market tote, or crafting that crisp, hoppy pint of beer in your hand. In our new "Escape to the Maker" series, we hope you'll take time to learn a little bit more about the producers and craftspeople that are helping to make this region so special. And even more, we hope you'll be inspired to take a day trip or weekend getaway to visit these local treasures in person. Happy traveling! The Maker: Buck Brook Alpacas Who Are You?: We are a family run fiber farm specializing in alpacas and angora rabbits. We have over 150 alpacas, we offer hands on tours to meet our animals and learn about their history and purpose. We have a farm store on site, which features many handmade alpaca items. Location/ Contact: 35 Bestenheider Rd. Roscoe, NY 12776 / (845) 807-3104 Hours: 10-4 on weekends during the winter and by appointment during the week. Open 7 days a week from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. Travel: No car? Take the Shortline Bus from Port Authority in NYC to Roscoe. Cab 6.5 miles from bus drop-off to the farm.Agritourism Offerings: Interactive livestock activities and tours; festivals; workshops/classes; children's activities; farm stay. Stay: Accomodations in Sullivan County.Highlights: You will leave feeling well informed!Local Attractions: 2 local breweries and a distillery are within 5 miles. Several restaurants and bed and breakfasts. Outdoor Offerings: Fishing, biking, boating, hiking, state parks, etc. More here.Learn: //buckbrookalpacas.com/Follow: Find Buck Brook Alpacas on Facebook & Instagram
Here at EscapeMaker, we are on a mission to connect all you adventurous, curious, farm- and food-loving travelers to unique local experiences. We’re here to open your eyes to the herculean effort that goes into getting those fresh apples into your farmers market tote, or crafting that crisp, hoppy pint of beer in your hand. In our new “Escape to the Maker” series, we hope you’ll take time to learn a little bit more about
One of the most special parts about living in New York is the quick access to so many different Northeast regions, famous for their fresh air and utter beauty. Spend the weekend in Central New York, where you can take off on a rare adventure below ground at the Howe Caverns! 156 ft below the earth's surface, your journey will wind through limestone corridors, cavernous galleries, under massive boulders, until you discover a subterranean riverbed carved over countless millennia. Deep in the cave, solid rock appears fluid: creating strange formations, flowing sheets and dripping stalactites. Mysterious grottos lead off into distant, unexplored passages. Shadows hide secrets in deep cracks and crevices. The well-worn path twists and turns descending into the depths, downward to the glassy surface of an underground lake that trails off into the absolute darkness of the cave’s Eastern Terminus. An amazing experience for all ages! Visit Garden of Eve in Riverhead, NY for their Sunflower Festival Weekends (July 21 & 22, 28 & 29 9am - 6pm). For just a $5 admission fee, enjoy Fun Fields admission with 100,000 flowers, one sunflower to take home and you can cut your own as you explore the Sunflower Path (additional stems are $1 each), hayrides, farm animals and more! The farm café will include Sunflower specials and locally produced organic sunflower oil tasting! U Pick blueberries and other berries available! Get there via LIRR from Penn Station in NYC! If you can't get enough Sunflowers at these Festival Weekends, head up to Dutchess County to Hudson Valley Cold Pressed Oils. This year, they are offering U-Pick sunflowers in addition to their variety of sunflower oil products. Plan your visit for U-Pick fun from August 7 - August 12. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram for updates! Get there via Metro-North Railroad
One of the most special parts about living in New York is the quick access to so many different Northeast regions, famous for their fresh air and utter beauty. Spend the weekend in Central New York, where you can take off on a rare adventure below ground at the Howe Caverns! 156 ft below the earth’s surface, your journey will wind through limestone corridors, cavernous galleries, under massive boulders, until you discover a subterranean riverbed
This time of year, I run into two cooking woes. 1) What to make when I'm too tired and lazy to chop and prep and use every one of my pots and pants, and 2) what's a quick and easy bite to make/bring to one of the many holiday parties popping up on my calendar? This quick, easy, farm-fresh dish is the perfect solution to both! It takes 10 minutes, makes very little mess, and is an absolute crowd-pleaser! Enter: The Pawlet & Honey Crostini. During my Saturday shopping excursion at McCarren Park in Brooklyn for my Honey Roasted Carrots, I picked up a few additional items for my crostini. From Vermont's Consider Bardwell Farm, I perused a variety of delicious cow and goat cheeses. I was specifically searching for something that was soft and easy to melt, so I was directed to the "Meltlet" cheese, which is a version of their Pawlet. It was nutty and mild and perfect for a sweet and savory recipe. I bought 1/4lb ($5). I picked up a fresh baguette ($3) from New Jersey's Baker's Bounty. The outside felt nice and crusty, but the inside was soft and pillowy. The perfect type of bread for a crostini! The honey, which I picked up for my Honey Roasted Carrots last week, came from Nature's Way ($6.25/honeybear). There's something about fresh cheese that brings on an unstoppable craving for wine, am I right? Luckily, Borghese Vineyard was set up just across from the cheese stand, so I made my way over to pick my poison :). They had so many delicious bottles straight from their Long Island vineyard, but I settled on an easy-drinking red wine, the Petit Chateau ($17). Time to head home and assemble my delicious and festive treats! Here's how
This time of year, I run into two cooking woes. 1) What to make when I’m too tired and lazy to chop and prep and use every one of my pots and pants, and 2) what’s a quick and easy bite to make/bring to one of the many holiday parties popping up on my calendar? This quick, easy, farm-fresh dish is the perfect solution to both! It takes 10 minutes, makes very little mess, and
In Letters to a Young Farmer, the first book from Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Westchester County, some of the most influential farmers, writers and leaders of our time share their wisdom and insight in an anthology of 36 essays and letters. Stone Barns' seeds were planted in the 1990s by the Rockefeller family, together with conservation planners, organic farmers and many others who came together to set a common vision and purpose for the land. Their goal was a working farm practicing resilient, transparent, four-season agriculture and open to the public as a hub of learning, creativity and experimentation. They envisioned a place where people could connect with the land and farmers; a place that would help to inspire people to grow and eat sustainably produced food. For more info on visiting Stone Barns and the surrounding area for a day-trip or weekend getaway from NYC, visit www.visitwestchesterny.com.
In Letters to a Young Farmer, the first book from Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Westchester County, some of the most influential farmers, writers and leaders of our time share their wisdom and insight in an anthology of 36 essays and letters. Stone Barns’ seeds were planted in the 1990s by the Rockefeller family, together with conservation planners, organic farmers and many others who came together to set a common vision and