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A Guide to the Bounty and Agri-Tourism in the Hudson Valley

The Hudson Valley abounds with everything imaginable that is good and delicious from the garden, pasture and orchard. The Valley's climate is particularly situated to enjoy a special combination of sun, rain and temperature that combines with the deep rich native soils of the river's flood plain to create ideal conditions for agriculture and husbandry. The Valley draws up the cooling breezes of the Atlantic tempering the heat, allowing for an early start and later finish to the growing season than surrounding areas.

Our steep hillsides allow the land to catch the earliest morning rays of the sun and shelter it from the hottest afternoon blaze. The mists and fogs rising up from the river cool the mornings and evenings and dampen the ground establishing and finishing each day, tempering the air as it passes from the chill of the night to the warmth of the day and back again.

Within the Valley unique micro-climates allow for a dizzying variety of fruits and vegetables to flourish. Down on the plains of the river field crops fill the countryside while up on the hilltops mile after mile of orchards produce succulent fruits that hang heavy from the trees. In the shade of the forests and dells mushrooms and ginseng sprout profusely in the leaf litter while many of our east facing slopes are covered with acres of viniferous grapes producing startlingly magnificent wines. A drive in any direction in the Valley brings you past acres of crops, miles of orchards and pastures all brimming with mouth watering produce and products.

The organic movement has taken a firm hold within the Valley as farm after farm convert to this new yet centuries old method of farming. Row after row of baby beets and tiny carrots and plump little lettuces are carefully nurtured to the peak of flavor, then quickly harvested. They are destined for local markets, very popular farm stands and the most discerning eaters in the world in New York City. Their ultimate destination is the palate bringing full rich flavors and succulent mouthfuls of delight to the table.

New York City primarily feasts from the bounty of the Hudson Valley. The best restaurants in the world all demand the flavorful produce and products of the Hudson Valley. Daily the farmers and producers of the Hudson Valley travel to the City bringing the freshest and most succulent produce and products. And, daily the farmers and producers of the Hudson Valley stock the tables and stands of the largest daily Fresh Farmer's Market down in Union Square. Every imaginable crop and specialty vegetable is sold straight from the farmers truck throughout the year. Tomatoes and greens of every description, melons, fruits and vegetables from asparagus to zucchini are abundantly piled high for the discerning residents of New York. The freshest possible produce for sale in the heart of New York City.

But, there is an even better way to get even fresher produce, and it's a lot more fun too! Scattered throughout the Hudson Valley are quaint little shops filled with the best of the surrounding country, brimming with spectacular gourmet cheeses, honey, baked goods and products sourced from the neighborhood. Down almost every country road farmers seasonally put out roadside farm stands with tables and baskets laden with absolutely fresh from the garden fruits and vegetables. The farm stands come and go quickly as the produce reaches perfection and then passes.

Scattered around the Valley are dozens of farms that invite you to come in and pick your own seasonal fruits and vegetables. They frequently farm special smaller plots filled with dozens of varieties that you simply cannot find anywhere else. From the latest gourmet specialty strains to especially flavorful heirloom varieties swaying in the gentle breezes, you are welcomed into the field to select just that special tomato or to pluck the most flavorful bean you can discover.

Don't want to wander in the field but still want the absolutely freshest possible produce? All you need do is travel a short distance from just about anywhere in the Valley and visit one of the dozens of Farm Fresh Street Markets that have been established throughout the Valley. The farmers harvest the night before and the morning of and bring their produce to you. Baskets of peaches and apples, piles of carrots and greens, aromatic onions and shy mushrooms, succulent ruby red and brilliant golden yellow tomatoes, heavily aromatic herbs and subtle fingerling potatoes, and baked goods and honey and flowers and wines and garden plants and nuts and cheeses and, well, you get the picture.

What more delectable mid-summer pleasure is there than selecting a perfectly garden ripened tomato, strolling through a farmer's market as you bite into it, the taught skin snapping and the tangy and succulent flesh flooding your tongue and chin with intense fresh flavor? Wander the stalls of fresh fruits and vegetables and lick your fingers clean of the sticky juices from all those fresh vine ripened berries you've just plucked from the bush.

Or in the fall, picking your own bag of juicy tangy apples and savoring one as your kids giggle with pleasure as they run the corn maze? Then they watch fresh donuts being made or have a hay ride while you relish samples of home-made chutneys and jams, delight in tasting cookies and breads.

How about in the winter, what better family outing is there than a brisk search through groves of perfectly shaped Christmas trees picking and cutting your own and having it wrapped and tied to your car? Followed up by a warm cup of hearty cider and a chewy brownie before a crackling wood stove?

All of this spectacular bounty of the Hudson Valley is easily available and even more easily enjoyed. Pick your weekend or weekday afternoon, check the many places organized for you below and have a great day.
A Quick Guide to U-Pick Farms

U-Pick Vegetables

U-Pick Strawberries

U-Pick Berries

U-Pick Apples & Pumpkins

U-Pick Pears, Plums & Peaches

U-Pick Cherries
A Quick Guide to Farmer's Markets

Upper Hudson Valley

  • Armory Center Farmers Market
    64 Colvin Ave. at Armory Center, Albany Sunday 10 AM-3 PM
    Mid June - End October Rocco Ricchiuti
    (518) 482-0249x462
  • Capital District Regional Market
    E side Broadway (Rt. 32) and Rt. 378, Menands Sat. 6 AM-9 AM, MWF 5:30AM-8 AM
    May-October Anthony Goodyer
    (518) 465-1023
  • Chatham Farmers Market
    Chatham Village Green Friday 2 PM-6 PM
    Mid May - Mid October Chris Cashen
    (518) 851-2331
  • Downtown Albany Farmers Market
    SUNY Plaza, State St. & Broadway, Albany Thursday 11 AM-2 PM
    Late April - Late November Annette Van Auken
    (518) 732-2991
  • Delaware Area Neighborhood Farmers Market
    St. James Church, 391 Delaware Ave., Albany Tuesday 4 PM-7 PM
    Early June - End October Mary Connair
    (518) 463-7605
  • Empire State Plaza Farmers Market
    N. end of Empire State Plaza at Leg. Office Bldg. Wed. & Fri., 11 AM-2 PM
    Early May - End October Dave Bowman
    (518) 885-8888
  • Empire State Plaza Winter Farmers Market
    South Concourse Wednesday 11 AM- 2 PM
    Early November - End April Dave Bowman
    (518) 885-8888
  • First Congregational Church Farmers Market
    405 Quail St. at Maple Ave., Albany Saturday 8 AM-12 Noon
    Mid May - End October Loucien Muller
    (518) 273-4384
  • First United Methodist Church Farmers Market
    428 Kenwood Ave, Delmar Tuesday 3 PM-6 PM
    Early April - Late December Annette Van Auken
    (518) 732-2991
  • Holy Cross Church Farmers Market
    Rosemont & Western Aves, Albany Wednesday 2:30 PM-5 PM
    Mid July - Late October Annette Van Auken
    (518) 732-2991
  • Hoosick Falls Farmers Market
    Wood Memorial Park Wednesday 2:30 PM-6:30 PM
    Early June - Mid October Melodee James
    (518) 686-7388
  • Kinderhook Farmers Market
    Village Square and Green Saturday 8 AM-12:30 PM
    Early June - Mid October Jean Brower
    (518) 758-1232
  • Rensselaerville Farmers Market
    Main Street, Rensselaerville Saturday 10 AM-1 PM
    Late June - Mid October Steve Kenney
    (518) 797-5269
  • St. Ambrose Church Farmers Market
    347 Old Loudon Rd, Latham Saturday 9 AM-1 PM
    Mid July - Late October Annette Van Auken
    (518) 732-2991
  • State Campus Farmers Market
    State Office Campus, Bldg. 8A, Albany Thursday 10:30 AM-1:30 PM
    Early May - End October Dave Bowman
    (518) 885-8888
  • Troy Farmers Market
    Broadway bet. 3rd & 4th Sts. Wed. 10 AM-2 PM, Mid May-End Oct.
    Fri. 10 AM-2 PM, Mid June- End Oct. Charles Riggio
    (518) 692-7312
  • Troy Waterfront Farmers Market
    Troy Dock & Marina, River St. N of bridge Saturday 9 AM-1 PM
    Early May - Late November Jonathan Clement
    (518) 477-6602

Middle Hudson Valley

  • Arlington Farmers Market
    Vassar College Lawn, Raymond Ave. Thursday 3 PM-7 PM
    Early June - End October Bill Martin
    (845) 876-7756
  • Beacon Farmers Market
    Veterans Place Thursday 2 PM-6 PM
    Early July Early October Al Romanelli
    (845) 831-2163
  • Catskill Region Farmers Market
    Historic Catskill Point, foot of Main St., Catskill Saturday 9:30 AM-1:30 PM
    Mid June - End October Marilyn Wyman
    (518) 622-9820
  • City of Hudson Farmers Market I
    N. 6th St. & Columbia St. parking lot. Saturday 9 AM-1 PM
    Early June - End October Carmine Pierro
    (518) 828-7217
  • City of Hudson Farmers Market II
    North 1st St. bet. Warren & Columbia Sts. Wednesday 3 PM-7 PM
    August - September Carmine Pierro
    (518) 828-7217
  • City of Poughkeepsie Farmers Market
    Hudson Valley Foodworks, 320 Main St. Friday 8 AM-2 PM
    Early July -End October James Long
    (845) 471-9478
  • Fishkill Farmers Market
    Grand Union parking lot. Rt. 52 Thursday 3 PM-7 PM
    Early June - Late October Donna VanTine
    (845) 897-4430
  • Kingston/Old Town Stockade Farmers Market
    Wall St., Uptown Kingston Saturday 9 AM-2 PM
    Early June - End October Karen Fitzgerald
    (845) 331-3659
  • Mil