Readers have chosen Story Farms of Catskill as their favorite farm stand. Located in Catskill just south of the intersection of Routes 32 and 23A, the cheery compound, its buildings painted a classic barn red against a mountain backdrop, is a landmark for folks seeking a vast selection of the finest fruits, veggies, flowers, herbs, and starter plants at reasonable prices.
Irene Story, a Philadelphia native, has been here since she married Jim Story in 1979. "Jim and his brother Matt run the farm, and then there are the fifth generation, James, Matthew and Mark," she says. "So they all work the farm together, doing the back-breaking day-to-day stuff, and I'm here at the farm stand with my daughter-in-law and a bunch of the young girls from the neighborhood that work with us. It's a nice first job. And the next generation, James, Matthew, and Mark's kids, they're involved in the farm one way or another too."
Story says it's a great life, growing things and feeding folks. "Between various family members, a lot of whom are involved in one way or another, and a few paid helpers, there's always someone stepping up to do the work, everybody pulling together, and that's the only way it works out. There are ups and downs—the strawberries aren't great this year because of the weather we've had, and it's the first year in many years that we aren't doing pick-your-own strawberries. On the other hand, the asparagus has been beautiful; we're hoping a lot of other things will be, too. And there's always next year."
Strawberries or not, you'll find a cornucopia of goodness at Story Farms—currently, the sugar snap peas and salad mix are going strong, and there are always honey and syrup and fresh baked goods. On the farm's Facebook, people are already eagerly anticipating sweet corn season.
"It's been a really great time," says Story of her decades on the farm. "I've been so very happy to be here, and you know, I think all of us feel that way. It's just a deeply good feeling, to reopen in the spring and be here with summer coming on."
