It’s time to say ‘thank you’!

When we became “gentlemen farmers” in economically struggling upstate NY, almost everything we learned about starting a farm, we learned from our neighbors–all small farmers working hard to make a living.

We also learned that Schoharie County, the location of our farm, Beekman 1802, has some of the most fertile soil in the world and was once known as ‘The Breadbasket of the American Revolution’, supplying almost all of the rations that helped the American troops win the war for independence.

Over time, the dual forces of capitalism and the growth of agri-business, which sought geographic areas that had longer growing seasons, destroyed the rich agrarian history of the area.  Generations of family farms were left in dire circumstances.

But sometimes things come full circle. At Beekman 1802, we see the push for the local food movement as a way to promote local farmers and make small scale farming a viable business once again.

This year on Sept 19 we are holding the first annual all-day Harvest Festival to celebrate all the hard work that went into the season and to say “thanks” for all of those farmers who do so much.

The festival will take over the village of Sharon Springs for the day and will feature special tastings of heirloom vegetables, NYS wines and beers, maple syrup and other regional delights.  All of the local farms have been invited to bring in their harvests for a wonderful market.

Lastly, all the local artists and craftspeople who inspire us at Beekman 1802 will be on hand to inspire you, too.

The day will conclude with a very special event, The 2009 Harvest Feast.  Click here to learn more and find out how you can make your reservations.

Plenty of these on-hand, for sure

We’ll get our ‘thank yous’ started early and thank those who are co-sponsoring this event with us (and doing A LOT of work!):  Landreth Seed, the American Hotel, and the Regional Farm & Food Project

All of us share the vision of growing this event into one of the most celebrated food festivals in the world.