Argyle Cheese  

Located in Argyle, NY, about 30 minutes from Saratoga Springs, the farm has been in operation for more than 150 years.  Cheese-maker Marge Randles uses milk produced on-site at the family farm to create high-quality yogurts and
artisan cheeses.  They use no synthetic hormones and grow 100% of their forages fed to the 50 cow heard.

A separate building now houses the equipment that produces yogurt, cheese and other products. While the product-line is always a work-in-progress, Marge began with yogurts and has since expanded her line of products to include cheeses, cheese spreads, cheesecakes, breads, greek yogurt, and most recently, gelato. Argyle Cheese Farmer is also the first in the area to offer yogurt in a recyclable, returnable glass container.

Argyle Cheese Farmer products can be purchased online, at their on-site store, and and at other retailers and farmers' markets.

The Barber Farm 

The Barber family has been tending their land for 6 generations in the heart of the Schoharie Valley.  Learning from experience has taught them how to build and maintain the natural systems within the soil, which gives their homegrown vegetables the incredible flavor that repeatedly draws customers from all over New York, as well as from Connecticut and New Jersey.

Some of the products that Barber’s Farm offers are hardy mums, ornamentals, crisp apples, sweet cider, potatoes, squash, and onions along with 50 different types of vegetables.  U-Pick fields open in August.

Better Nature Produce

Better Nature Produce is located in Schodack, NY and is the brainchild of Mark Dausch, who has his PhD from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and works full-time as Program Leader in Business Process and Technology.  He is an Adjunct Instructor at UAlbany School of Business.   The microgreens are grown indoors in a soilless controlled environment on a growing medium.  The air and water are filtered. No pesticides or herbicides are used. The microgreens are grown in channels with water and a small amount of refined minerals.  They are sold with the growing medium mat which serves to keep the greens alive. Better Nature Produce offers broccoli, radish, kale, and wheatgrass  microgreens as well as a medley mix.

Blue Star Farm – An Interview with Susan Decker

“To own and run a farm, you have to love farming,”  states Blue Star Farm owner Susan Decker. Susan and her husband Mark began the search for farm property over 3 years ago. They looked at several locations but when they found property in Stuyvesant, they knew they had found the perfect property, and thus Blue Star Farm was created. They continue to love the business of producing organic, fresh vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers. They have 2 locations – one in Stuyvesant, their homestead, and one in Kinderhook.   Blue Star Farm has 7 acres in production.

When asked about the number of different variety of produce, Susan chuckled as Blue Star Farm produces 130 different varieties of vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers.   Her favorite variety includes seasonal produce with tomatoes being at the top of the list. However, Susan explained that she has many favorites and she loves to experiment with different varieties. It can be challenging but she states, “It’s worth it to grow a variety of produce.” This year, Blue Star Farm is growing ginger, and Susan is looking forward to the finished product.

Blue Star Farm sells to 2 different farmer’s markets. They participate in the Hudson Farmer’s Market which is held on Saturday’s from 9 am – 1 pm. They also participate in the Red Barn Roadside Market in Ghent which is held on Friday evenings from 4pm – 7pm. Susan loves the immediate feedback she receives from the customers. People are so appreciative of the farmers bringing the produce to these markets. She has regular customers at the markets, and she enjoys talking with them about the produce and the upcoming greens and vegetables.

Blue Star Farm does not participate in a CSA. However, it does have a number of wholesale customers including Field Goods, Inc., and the Kripalu Center in Lee, Massachusetts. Blue Star Farm also sells produce to area restaurants and caterers.

Vegetables and herbs from Blue Star Farm is certified natural grown, and therefore, all produce is exclusively organic. The crops are herbicide and pesticide-free. They use compost, natural rock minerals, and mulches to fortify the soils, along with crop rotation and green manures. Blue Star Farm’s practices and produce are evaluated by specialists from Cornell Cooperative Extension. Blue Star Farm also participates in peer-to-peer reviews in which local farmers evaluate each other’s practices in growing organic produce.

To learn more about blue Star Farm, visit the website at BlueStarFarmny.com.  Blue Star Farm is located in Stuyvesant, NY.

Susan and Mark have been involved with organic farming for many years. They love owning a family farm. It is hard work, and requires dedication, commitment, and, of course, a love for farming. Their reward is harvesting a variety of fresh, organic produce that their customers appreciate, and have grown to expect from Blue Star Farm.