Washington County Farm Fresh Guide : Farm Guide Key

Dairy farming is Washington County's top agricultural industry with close to 200 dairy farms. In 2000, Washington County farms had 22,500 milk cows producing 380 million pounds of milk, which is approximately 114.5 million gallons. The market value of dairy products produced in the county per year is roughly $57 million, ranking 8th in the state.

Nearly 2,700 horses call Washington County home. Many farms offer riding lessons, boarding facilities, and breeding of these beautiful creatures.

Locally raised beef, lamb, pork, buffalo, beefalo, and goat can be found in Washington County with a value of approximately $8.3 million dollars worth of livestock sold each year. Many farms are answering the demand from consumers and offering pasture raised, and hormone and antibiotic free meats.

Try fresh eggs from the farm or local chicken for your next meal.

Sheep farming is on the rise in Washington County, although before the invention of synthetic fabrics, sheep farming and wool growing was a major industry. Now, several farms contribute to homespun industries and participate in the annual sheep and fiber tour. Washington County is also home to numerous llama and alpaca farms offering wonderful wool products.

Washington County produces about $3.150 million worth of hay and silage each year, with 10,400 acres devoted to alfalfa hay, 30,000 acres in other hays such as timothy, with a total of 40,400 acres yielding a total of 83,300 tons of hay.

Visit a greenhouse or nursery and find annual and perennial plants, flowers, trees and shrubs all for your landscaping and gardening needs. Growers know what plants do best in our area and have the expertise to help you. Washington County's horticulture is valued at nearly $3 million dollars.

In Washington County there are 17 commercial orchards with 37,472 apple trees on 305 acres. About 150,000 bushels of apples are produced each year with upwards of 19 varieties grown including MacIntosh, Empire, Fuji, Honey Crisp, Rome, and Macoun for eating fresh or for baking. Overall, New York is second in apple production and third in producing tart cherries and grapes, and fourth for the amount of pears harvested.

Look for a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, baked goods, honey, maple syrup, eggs and flowers at local roadside farmstands. By purchasing products in season from a local farm you are doing your part to support the local economy and getting to know your farm neighbors.

There are 46,700 acres of woodland in Washington County. Many farms offer firewood for your home or for your next campfire to cook up a great tasting locally produced meal.

Washington County is also home to one of the country 's top honey-making suppliers, and beekeeping workshops are often offered. A typical beehive produces 80 pounds of honey. Bees are responsible for pollinating an estimated one out of three foods we eat.

Washington County rivals other states and even Canada in the amount and quality of the maple syrup produced from our own maple trees. Each year in the early spring, maple producers host a Maple Open House Weekend, where visitors can learn about sugaring, as well as sample some of the delicious maple products.

Start a new tradition of revive an old one for your family by visiting a local farm and choosing your own tree. Numerous varieties and sizes of trees are available for your choosing, and many farms carry all your holiday decorating needs.

Many berry, apple and pumpkin patches exist for your picking delight. Children and parents alike can enjoy an outing on a local farm harvesting enough produce for a pie, for preserving, or just plain eating!

Visit a retail farmstore and buy local products, run through a corn maze, o go for a hayride. Many retail farmstores are open year round and offer a variety of products and excitement for the whole family.

Fresh sweet corn, potatoes, lettuce, and many other vegetables can be found fresh at farms during the growing season. Visit a farm or visit a local farmers' market to find out what is growing today. New York State is a top producer of sweet corn, Cabbages and pumpkins.

Invest in a farm and buy a share of the harvest in the spring when you join a CSA. During the growing season you will receive the farms bounty which will include a variety of products depending on what the farm grows and how well Mother Nature cooperates.

A colorful selection of homegrown products in an open-air marketplace can be found from May to December. Buy fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, meats and much more. Contact Cornell Cooperative Extension for a current list of dates and locations.