Hudson Valley, NY farm visits?

July 12, 2011 8:59 AM

What are some particularly noteworthy farms to visit in Hudson Valley, NY? Obviously, they would need to be open to the public, but I don't necessarily need a formal tour- if they have nice grounds and interesting foodstuffs for sale, that's just fine. We'll be staying in Hudson, but have a car.
posted by mkultra to Travel & Transportation around New Windsor, NY (11 answers total)

It has been two years since I've visited (stopped for half an hour while driving through the area), and about 30 years since I lived there, but way way back in the day the farm and community in Harlemville, centered around the Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School, was fairly open to people with questions.

They've been making cheese there for that long, and are only spitting distance from Hudson.
posted by straw at 9:07 AM on July 12, 2011

Stone Barns.

It's Rockefellers old property, very pretty. Bonus points if you get a reservation at the restaurant on premises: Blue Hill
posted by teabag at 9:08 AM on July 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

Ray Bradley's farm, near New Paltz. Lovely people, amazing produce.
posted by neroli at 9:17 AM on July 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

Stone Barns is great and I live fairly close by, but despite it being technically in the Hudson Valley, it is not near Hudson NY unless you think an hour and a half+ drive is near there. Hudson is just south of Albany, north of Woodstock and Saugerties.

Blue Hill is a great restaurant if you decide to make the drive.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:22 AM on July 12, 2011

Also, if you take the Taconic Parkway to get there, be aware that there are a lot of State Trooper speed traps between I-90 to the north and I-84 to the south.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:24 AM on July 12, 2011

JohnnyGunn is right, though your question about "Hudson Valley" did imply a large area of NY state.
posted by teabag at 9:31 AM on July 12, 2011

I also recommend the farm (Hawthorne Valley Farm) straw mentioned. They have a farm store with cheese, milk, and yogurt from the diary as well as fresh bread and other baked goods daily. People came and sort of wandered around from time to time and no one ever seemed bothered and if someone's around and you have a question, people are happy to answer. HVF is cool because due to its ties to Waldorf education it's a biodynamic farm and there are some really interesting methods for vegetable, diary, and meat production. Also right now lots of the cows will have calves and calves are ADORABLE. It's maybe a 15-20 minute drive from Hudson.

Full disclosure: I worked there summer 2009 and 2010 and absolutely loved it.
posted by vakker at 10:14 AM on July 12, 2011

Hudson Valley Duck Farm. Duck charcuterie!
posted by brand-gnu at 11:18 AM on July 12, 2011

Old Chatham Sheepherding Company. Sheep's milk cheese, cute lambs, very nice scenery.
posted by sulaine at 11:33 AM on July 12, 2011

I will probably be attending this tasting festival at Copake Lake. I will wear my Metafilter tee.

I thought there was another tasting thing this weekend, but cannot find any info so maybe I misremember.

Rural Intelligence and CCScoop are good sources for Columbia Country shenanigans.
posted by shothotbot at 2:12 PM on July 12, 2011

Thirding Hawthorne Valley Farm, it's great and an easy drive from Hudson. (Disclaimer: I grew up on the farm).
If you want a tour and don't see anyone around wander over to the Farm Store and ask there.
posted by dolface at 2:15 PM on July 12, 2011