The soil in Ulster County contains an abundance of natural treasures—from the sprawl of orchards to the rolling fields where livestock roam and feed. When the weather permits, it’s hard to beat a weekend in thrall to nature’s bounty, but where do you start? We have a few ideas.
Dolan Orchards in Wallkill specializes in apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums, and vegetables. CDC Farms in Gardiner is all about handcrafted artisan cheese made with fresh Hudson Valley raw cow's milk. The facility also offers tasting tours, field trips, and private parties. Hepworth Farms in Milton yields more than 400 varieties of organic vegetables, while Four Winds Farm in Gardiner sells heirloom vegetable seedlings along with turkey, pork, and grass-fed beef. Minard’s Family Farm in Clintondale is an ideal autumn stop for its apples and pumpkins, corn maze, hayrides, and a barn market.
Ulster County’s numerous farmers’ markets are magnets for chefs, foodies and locavores in search of the freshest flavors. In addition to organic produce and meats, the Ellenville Farmers’ Market features art from local makers and the Rosendale Farmers’ Market offers live entertainment. Of course, we’d be remiss not to mention the Kingston Farmers’ Market, named “Best Farmers’ Market” in 2016 by Hudson Valley magazine.
These suggestions only scratch the surface. For a full list of farms and markets, visit ulstercountyalive.com and start planning your outing today.
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