Celebrating Farmers

Philmont, NY  |  Another sibling-esk farm for Ironwood. Dan and Keri have a determination and grit that inspires us all to keep pushing. Their farm Common Hands organically grows vegetables that are offered to CSA members, markets and wholesalers. Dan and Keri have weathered some real challenges in moving their farm to different locations over the years. Through this adversity they continue to succeed in growing fantastic produce. Settled now just around the corner from Ironwood in Philmont, Common Hands are rocking some great looking and tasting vegetables. Go check them out!

Valatie, NY |  There aren't enough words to express the deep sense of gratitude, awe and inspiration we at Ironwood draw from Willy and Claudia. In many ways, they are responsible for the founding and success of our farm. Lauren, Aliyah and Jenny met working at Little Seed, just starting out as young farmers. After years of important learning, Willy and Claudia mentored us through starting a small-scale farm business and then onto farming maturity. They continue to be influencers on topics like holistic management, conflict mitigation and organic farming practices. They are the first and last people we call for help and advice. Aliyah was married at their farm! Their roots in the Hudson Valley organic farming scene and their positive impact on our farm run deep.

Philmont, NY |  Imagine biting into the crispiest, most-succulent and mind-altering apple you've ever tasted. Now follow that up with the most delectable peaches, pears and plums. This is what we experience each and every time we pick-up our CSA fruit share from Hanna and Hugh. They have years of experience and learning about biodynamic growing in this sometimes challenging climate. They've weathered fruitless years and dramatic changes to the local fruit market. And they've done it all while raising a beautiful family and maintaining their passionate and loyal customers that know just how special their products are.

Ghent, NY |  Hawthorne Valley Farm has done so many incredible things. They are one of the first organic and Biodynamic® farms in the Hudson Valley that inspired generations of future farms, like ours. They operate on a scale that dwarfs our operation, yet stay true to the Hawthorne Valley institutional vision and mission, which includes supporting a school and one of the region's most loved farm stores. They grow certified organic produce and raise livestock for meat and dairy. Amongst all this, they have also found the time to support us when we needed it, sharing experience and insight. They are a beacon for all that visit the Hudson Valley looking for inspiration into organic farming and its relationship to community, sustenance and education.

Hudson, NY |  When we think of Letterbox we imagine bushfuls of delicious looking vegetables, braces of rabbit, baskets of blue eggs, succlent roasting chickens and a CSA that makes us farmers want to join. Faith, Laszlo and Nichki run this active and impressive farm just outside of Hudson. You'll find their produce in a lot of Hudson restaurant dishes or on the shelves of grocery stores. Their three-season CSA includes meat, eggs and flowers. You'll also find them at a lot of the local farmers markets. One of our favourites is a big bag of their chicken feet, which keeps our stocks on the right side of tasty.

Hillsdale, NY |  Mettabee is one of those special farms that aren't just growing vegetables and raising sheep, they are also creating a valuable space for community engagement. Elizabeth's vision for the farm includes an active and welcoming array of family and arts programming. There is thoughtfulness and intention to the farming, the community work, and the beautiful spaces they have created; the latter which includes the most incredible barn and yurt for your next event. There is always something special happening at Mettabee. Do try to attend one of their exciting barn dances!

Pine Plains, NY |  You would be hard pressed to live or visit the Hudson Valley and either A) hear about Chaseholm B) eat their cheese, or C) meet someone who wouldn’t rave about their raw milk and cheese. Sarah and the team are raising a heard of milking cows that produce some of the most delicious full-fat milk we’ve ever had the pleasure of drinking. They also produce whey-fed pork (unbelievable) and pasture raised beef (totally delicious). Their farm store is also of Hudson Valley day-dreams. Stop what you’re doing, drive to Pine Plains, and drink some life altering milk right now.

Hudson, NY |  While they're not farming per se, The NYFC wholely deserve to be in this "Farm Partners" secton. They are a bunch of farm-loving and hard-working folks who help support young farms and farmers. They've played an important role in assisting our education, grant-writing and community envolvement. One of our favourite of their programs is the farm-visits. With their facilitation, we've visited a number of Hudson Valley farms to learn more about our neighbors' techniques, ideas and community-based approaches. As well as their valued advocacy work, they have become an important facilitator and connector for Hudson Valley farms. 

Cropseyville, NY | Laughing Earth has been an active farm for over 200 years and is now stewarded by our friends Annie and Zach. An important part of this new beginning was a Farmland Forever easement held by the Agricultural Stewardship Association made possible with funding from New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and assistance from the American Farmland Trust and Scenic Hudson. This is a testment to the community of organisations supporting farmers-for-life like Annie and Zach. With their beautiful farm they organically grow vegetables and raise chickens for meat and eggs. If we could, we'd join their CSA!

Hudson, NY |  Stone House Farm was born out of Peggy Rockefeller's mid-century efforts to support farming in the Hudson Valley amongst a rising tide of nationwide corporate farms. With Ben at the helm, Stone House Farm has grown into a standout certified organic grain and feed farm, focusing on regenerative farming practices. They produce some of the best quality grain and feed that go on to support the ventures of many of the local smaller farms in the Hudson Valley. With a lot of land under management, they are by far one of the biggest farms around - and Ben and his team ensures this land stays productive and stewarded under certified organic growing practices.

Hudson, NY |  When one of our mother's visited from the UK, a land known for their strawberries and cream, we took her to pick strawberries at Whistle Down. Out there in the fields, smiling in the heat, she proclaimed "these are the best strawberries I've ever tasted." And she's right. Nicholas and Eileen organically grow some of the best vegetables and fruits around, at a scale and intention that supports there on-farm household. We constantly look to them for inspiration and support. As well as keen farmers, their homesteading skills run deep, with Nicholas building their lovely house and Eileen wiring everything on the farm.

New Paltz, NY |  Pat and Allie are a story that shows where we believe farming is headed. They were two young farmers with other day jobs and families when they hatched a plan to start a beef operation. They partnered together to lease land and quickly establish a thriving heard that they deliver direct to customer-markets. Since then, Allie has had two children with her husband and both Pat and Allie have learnt a lot about raising cattle. They have materialized their dream of farming, seamingly out of no where, through grit, determination and a tight budget. And now we all benefit from their continued hard work and savvy business management with some of the Hudson Valley's most delicious and cared-for grass-fed beef.

Kinderhook, NY |  Walking onto Kinderhook Farm's land is like walking into a farming fairy-tale. Picture rolling paddocks lined by thick forests and hedgerows. Meanwhile, baby lambs frolluck about, dutifully sheaparded by Anna and her team. Their facilities and farm stay also match that red-paint dreams of your childhood. The founders, moving from Wall-street to upstate farming to this 1000-acre oasis, now run a beef, pork, lamb and chicken operation. They raise their cattle and sheep on a 100% grass and legume diet that includes no grain, antibiotics, growth hormones or animal by-products. The results are spectacular!

Stuyvesant, NY |  We visited Sue at Blue Star Farm just the other day, dropping off a delivery. She welcomed us into her greenhouse for a quick tour and our minds were promptly blown wide open. Her systems are ingenious, her vegetables (year-round) are incredible, and her attitude always so positive. Her years of experience and dedication to organic vegetable growing has made her, in our minds, one of the most consistent and respected farmers in the Hudson Valley. We continue to look to her for guidance, advice and basic how-to-knock-it-out-the-park instructions. Find her produce in the Hudson Farmers Market and lots of local restaurants and food coops.

Livingston, NY |  Founded by Abby Rockefeller and the Foundation for Agricultural Integrity, Churchtown aspires to be a beacon for those working to promote sustainable agriculture and regenerative communities. They run a working biodynamic farm and dairy operation, as well as making and aging their own cheeses. Stop by to pickup some raw milk, a delicious wheel of Peggy, and some pasture raised beef. It's also worth touring the grounds and medicinal herb garden, meticulously kept by Jean-David. The architecture, gardens and heard are simply stunning.

Clermont, NY |  It was farmers like Ben and Lindsey at Hearty Roots Farm that gave us the example, bravery and aspiration to start our own farm. They have grown Hearty Roots into a certified organic farm working across 70 acres, feeding a loyal CSA, including a CSA on the Upper West Side as well as wholesalers and restaurants. Their consistency and dedication to certified organic farming across many years of business showed us what was possible in the Hudson Valley. They've also just opened up a fantastic farm store on Route 9h. Be sure to stop in an grab some of their delicious produce!

Hudson, NY |  Girl meets guy, and couple build one of the most impressive certified organic farms in the Hudson Valley. Throw in four kids, 200 acres, solar power, a farm store, big New York CSAs, horses, cattle, ski instructing, farmers markets and maple syrup, and you get a thriving and awe-inspiring family farm. They've also awesome neighbours and mentores to us at Ironwood, sharing farm tours, techniques and winter veggies when our store ran dry. They operate on a scale and skill-level that we often admire as we drive by their always well-prepped fields on the way to our own farm.

Ghent, NY |  Yong and Jeana are doing something unique at the beautiful Et Cetera farm. They're focusing on growing some Korean staples, like ginger, rice, mesclun greens, carrots, bok choy, daikon and napa cabbage; basically everything you need to make the most delicious kimchi you've ever tasted. We've grown ginger ourselves, and can tell you from experience that it isn't easy in upstate New York. It takes great care, attention and skill. Obviously Yong and Jeana have plenty of all that, because their ginger is exquisite! They offer all of us a wonderful example of how honing an agricultural skill can produce great rewards.

Ghent, NY |  Liberty Farms is a picturesque 300+ acre NOFA-NY Certified Organic farm that has been transformed from a former Thoroughbred breeding farm into a State-of-the-Art horse boarding and training facility, along side a diversified organic farm, offering farm-to-table vegetables, eggs and grass-fed meats. Our long time farmer friend Jon manages the vegetable operation, growing some gorgeous looking vegetables for the Lineage CSA. If this wasn't enough, the property also offers a stunning site for weddings and special events. Check out their website and pictures to dream up your perfect wedding!

Goshen, NY |  Back before Ironwood was established, Lauren lived for a hot minute in New York city. Having farmed for a few years in Chatham at Little Seed Gardens, and met many farmers around their thanksgiving table, including Jeff and Adina, we were pleasantly surprised to run into Jeff on a street corner, slinging his fantastic certified naturally grown vegetables at West 97th Street market. A simple story, but a formative one; this was what marketing vegetables looks like, week in week out. And Jeff did it with a hearty smile and a great attitude. There is a lot more to J and F's farm, including a rocking CSA, so check out their website. But for our story here, we always look back at the due diligent example Jeff set for us in our own farmers market endeavors.

Kinderhook, NY |  Roxbury is more than just a farm with one of the hottest CSAs around, it's also an 'institute', providing education and training resources to farmers. Jean-Paul started the farm in 1990, and with the additions of Jody and Keri, have built it into one of the most respected farms in Upstate New York. Constantly inventing, testing and sharing, they have helped countless farmers hone their biodynamic techniques both on their own farm but also through their public sharing of knowledge.

Ghent, NY |  Visit Love Apple in September, when the leaves are changing, pumpkins are glistening and the smell of cider donuts is intoxicating, and you'll find a line of happy families out the door and through the apple fields. Their popularity shows us they're doing something right! They have pick-your-0wn apples, a restaurant, a farm store, and a pirate-play-ship. They are engaging a large number of locals and out-of-towners in the joys of farm living, and for this we salute them! We too have indulged in their delicious donuts. If you're looking for a fun family day out, look no further!

Kinderhook, NY |  We often bump into Bob at Lowes, where he's buying a sheet of metal or some other raw material, destined to be skillfully crafted into a custom farming implement. He is a farm inventor, a keen watcher of tasks and solution maker. Bob, Kristy and Liz's NOFA certified organic farm grows vegetables and herbs for a brilliant CSA and wholesale. The farm also hosts The Sylvia Center, an educational nonprofit that introduces children to the pleasures and benefits of healthy, sustainable food through farm visits and cooking workshops.

Alford, MA  |  Molly has a special place in our hearts. She owns and operates a small farm in the Berkshires, growing organic vegetables for markets and a lovely CSA. She is a farmer of brilliant attitude, perseverance and skill. Recently she moved the farm to a new promising land in partnership with Ray Wilcox of Twin Oaks Farm. She's also a real community-player, helping us out at Ironwood on numerous occasions in variety of ways. We consider her a farm sister. And if you're lucky enough to be around Alford, MA, you simply must join her CSA for the best veggies in the state!

Hudson, NY |  We drool a little every time we look at MX Morningstar's instagram account. Their bed rows are long and beautifully straight. Every vegetable we see coming off the farm looks fantastic, and so well cared for. They always have an enegetic crew and their aspirations are fine tuned. But instagram, as we all know, is just one side of things. We also know they hit the tough farm walls we all do, wether its weather, labor or equipment related. Farming is tough, most of the time. What's truly inspiring is that Max, Maria and Jess head these challenges off every day with a great passion for what they do. Also, their branding is kick-ass!

Hillsdale, NY |  This Tiny Heart farm makes our hearts swell big time. Jenny and Luke are growing some of the most beautiful flowers in the Hudson Valley. And they don't stop there... they find ingenious and captivating ways to share them in different arrangements, CSA shares, and through workshops out of their Hillsdale shop. When we dream of flowers, we dream of Tiny Hearts. When we fill our house with flowers, we know they are from a farm that really cares about what they do, and how they do it. Visit them immediately to lighten up your life! 

Millerton, NY |  Okay, we’re just going to lean fully into this alliteration... Rock steady is rocking it out over there in Millerton! Their farm is crazy awesome, with a massive CSA, loyal market followers and a buzzing wholesale game. They grow flowers, veggies and herbs on 8 acres, which doesn’t seem like much for how productive they are. They also have some great partnerships with other Hudson Valley farms and non-profit organizations which provides their customers with lots of CSA add-on options, and a fundraising program to provide lower-income people reduced or fully subsidized CSA shares. We just love what they’re doing and only wish we could get down to Millerton more often to see and learn more about how they do this rocking farming.

New Paltz, NY |  Pete, Robin and team are our organic vegetable neighbors at the Rhinebeck Farmers Market, with their stall a few down from ours. We love selling next to them and sharing the joys of organic produce with the Rhinebeck crowd. Their stall is always incredibly inspiring with the high quality and large variety of veggies they bring each week. It’s market partnerships like this that make up a ‘farming community’ that are so important to lifting the entire demand and reputation of Hudson Valley farms. Working along-side each other we generate new customers every week who are increasing the demand for produce across the Valley.

Chatham, NY |  In just a few short years nry has changed the face of small-scale Hudson Valley farming. His farm, Dogwood, produces turkeys, eggs, beef and honey and Rock City mushrooms. If this wasn’t enough work, he also owns and operates Good Food Farms, a collective CSA distributor that feeds hundreds of families, sourcing food from farms around the Hudson Valley, including Ironwood. He has created a new wholesale market and connected families with nutritious and well-sourced organic food, including her own. We are incredibly grateful for the work Henry does.