The fourth annual Hudson Valley Food Lovers Farm Festival will not only serve a benefit for the FarmOn! Foundation, but is also the grand opening of Empire Farm. The event is hosted by Friends of the Farmer on Saturday September 27th from 10 am-6 pm.
Joining the celebration will be famed chef, restaurateur, and food activist, Alice Waters who will participate in the celebration by cutting the ribbon at 4:30 in the community Victory Garden to officially announce the grand opening. Empire Farm introduces the foundations first agricultural education center that will simultaneously as a farm on the grounds of the 400 year old Astor Farm in Copake.
This event is an interactive festival appropriate for the entire family. Festival goers will be provided a unique and personal introduction of their local farmers and food sources. Kids can enjoy entertainment from a Disney musical artist, the farm animal petting zoo, and educational games. As for the adults, the festival provides a farmers market that will dish out samples of the locally grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables, accompanied with samples from TasteNY, Hudson Valley distillers, vintners, brewers, Harney & Sons, and Saratoga water at the bar.
This event also poses the opportunity to directly to engage with the Hudson Valley’s agricultural community in the ‘Future of Farming Tent’ which will introduce community resources, nonprofits, and small businesses throughout the region. A CSA sign-up will also be available to provide information about the FarmOn! build out and program for students who are interested in the business of food on the farm.
Ticket suggestions are $15 for adults and free for kids. Donations will be available at the entrance. To learn more about this event, visit the festival’s official website http://friendsofthefarmer.com/.
FarmOn! Empire Farm is located at 556 Empire Road Copake, NY 12516. (518) 329.FARM.(3276).
This article appears in September 2014.
