Please join us this Saturday, June 13, for our seasonal opening day celebration!
For some dancing and fiddling by the Wahoo String Band, homemade crepes and omelets, a tasting of local cheeses and artisan products, and a photo show by local artist Michael Sibilia. Whether you are a regular of the farm, an occasional visitor from Westchester or the City, or you've never been before, now is the perfect time to come with friends and family to enjoy the spring scenery. You are welcome to stroll around our beautiful orchard and visit our new flock of sheep (with nine baby lambs!) and our friendly pasture-raised chickens.

We are open from 9-5pm on Saturday, but the music and fun will start around 10:30 and run through 4pm. And if you can't make it this Saturday, we'll be open Tues-Sunday, 9-5pm through the fall. Come by Saturday or Sunday for crepes, omelets, and sandwiches made with seasonal ingredients. Check our website, www.fishkillfarms.com, for details and directions. Or call us at (845) 897-4377, or mapquest our address: 9 Fishkill Farm Rd., Hopewell JCT, NY.

What's new at the farm?
This year is momentous for us in many ways. Our new flock of sheep and vegetable garden mark a large step towards our goals of diversity and sustainability, as does the whole new line of local and natural products we're carrying in our newly renovated store. But perhaps most significantly, we have embarked on the process of transitioning to organic production. Our vegetables are grown without any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, and in our orchard, we are taking an ecologically friendly "IPM" (Integrated Pest Management) approach that uses less toxic forms of pest control, and will pave the way for organic apples in the future.
Kids Unplugged at Fishkill Farms
We want the farm to be fun for the whole family-- so we're collaborating with nature education group Kids Unplugged to introduce "Saturdays at the Farm," a new bimonthly series of nature and farm-based activities for children. Fishkill Farms, and its surrounding farmland, orchards, woodlands, pond, creek and meadows will serve as the backdrop for our adventures. Hands-on, sensory learning experiences include hiking, storytelling, nature games, crafting, treasure hunts, singing, creek walking, and farm chores. Learn more at http://kidsunpluggedny.blogspot.com/
What we grow:
Our biggest crop is apples-- we have 40 acres and over 15 varieties of them. But we also grow a lot of peaches, nectarines, pears, cherries, blueberries and blackberries, all available for pick-your-own. September and October are the busiest time on the farm-- the hayrides and music are fun for the whole family. But the summer is also a great time to visit, pick some summer fruit, and have a picnic in the orchard. For pick-your-own, please call in advance for availability before you make the drive. In our garden we grow over 100 types of vegetables, which we sell at our farm store and our farmer's market stands in New York City, Beacon and Fishkill.
Some Sad News:
Three Wednesdays ago, the farm suffered an devastating barn fire. Luckily, no humans or animals were hurt. Not so luckily, the fire was so strong and hot that it burned down our historic, 100-year-old timber-peg barn, our cinderblock work-shed, and 2 large cold-storage rooms. The firemen ran out of water several times trying to put it out-- it was their bravery and perseverance that prevented the fire from spreading to our farm store and greenhouse. The fire was a difficult loss for us- for one, much essential farm machinery was consumed, but it is the things you can't replace that hurt the most-- heirloom furniture, a horse-drawn wood sleigh, and a book collection passed down from Henry Morgenthau, who started the farm in 1913.
On the brighter side, despite the fire, our crops, tractors and spirits are better than ever, and we look forward to eventually erecting a new barn in its place.
Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you on the farm!
Sincerely,
Josh Morgenthau and Hannah Geller
Fishkill Farms