Tag Archives: ENST291

ENST 291: Trip to Phillies Bridge Farm Project

Last Friday afternoon, we embarked on our second field trip exploring the scenic Hudson Valley to the Phillies Bridge Farm Project. Located just south of New Paltz, Phillies Bridge Farm is a nonprofit working farm located on 65 acres of land. It focuses primarily on producing vegetables, herbs, and flowers for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shareholders as well as continuing education programs that engage the community in hands-on learning about food and farming.

Anna Elbon, Farm Manager

Our visit was guided by Anna Elbon, the current manager at Phillies Bridge Farm. A Tennessee native, Anna was a environmental-studies-turned-agricultural-science major at McGill University in Montréal, Quebec, Canada, where she managed the student-run farm. During her studies, she was interested in the ecological sustainability aspect of farming. Someday, she hopes to own her own farm. After working on other farms in Quebec and New Hampshire, Anna came to the Hudson Valley to begin work at Phillies Bridge in January 2015. This is her first year managing the farm, and it is hard work as she is one of just three people on the farm staff, but she is doing a stellar job. She is the only full-time salaried employee. Two apprentices work with her (and a third is hired over the summer). Other than that occasionally some dedicated volunteers come to help out when need for labor is high. One of their most dedicated volunteers is a member of the board of directors. Phillies Bridge has an entirely volunteer run board of directors to help manage and make decisions for the farm.

Phillies Bridge was one of the first CSA share farms in the Hudson Valley, dedicated to providing fresh, affordable, locally-grown produce to the community and allowing shareholders to develop a connection to the sources of their food. Currently about one-hundred CSA shareholders pick up an estimated $25 to $30 (the shares are sold on a sliding scale in order to increase accessibility) worth of produce each week from June through October and also have access to a “u-pick” garden and unlimited pick-your-own herb garden. A full share is enough produce to feed a family of four. Optimally, the farm’s goal is to have 120 shareholders every season. So, things are a little tight financially this year. However, the farm has been making up for that by selling some of their produce wholesale to local stores. They tend to grow a lot of excess, as they cultivate a full five acres and the farm is able to successfully harvest 90 to 100% of what they plant. While wholesale provides a good additional source of income, the farm is still trying to figure out if it is something that they want to further pursue and invest in. Since they always have so much extra production, Anna is considering cutting back on the amount of land they grow on each season in order to cut down on labor. Scaling back like this would allow them to concentrate more on growing their CSA. She says that what they really need to focus on is more marketing for the CSA. Right now people mainly hear of it through word of mouth, but if it were to be more heavily marketed a lot of interest and new participation would likely be generated. Phillies Bridge is a much smaller operation than Fishkill Farms, which we visited last week. For this reason, it is much harder for them to spend the time telling the historic and cultural story of the farm and engaging in the agritourism sector. They have to spend a lot of their time managing the five acres and so it is difficult to put the time into selling the story of the farm as well as the physical products of it. However, Phillies Bridge does have a rich history that many agritourists would find very appealing. It dates back to the 18th century and used to be a dairy farm. Now, it is an integral part of the local community.

While the farm is not certified organic, they do follow organic and sustainable growing methods such as the use of cover crops and crop rotation. When necessary, they try to use organic insecticides and minimize spraying whenever possible.

Another wonderful thing about Phillies Bridge Farm Project is that it provides a portion of each season’s harvest to food-insecure households in Ulster County through their Farm-to-Families program. Their non-profit status them allows them to apply for grants which enable them to donate CSA shares.

In addition to the CSA, Phillies Bridge has started selling produce at the farmers market at SUNY New Paltz. While we were there, the two farm apprentices returned to the farm from their first day at the farmer’s market.

The other big component of Phillies Bridge are its many opportunities for education. This includes a summer camp, home school program, pre-school program, adult workshops, and field trips from tourists or groups of students like us. These visits provide the opportunity to learn how to seed, transplant, weed, cook, and see where food really comes from. Below is a picture of the special garden dedicated entirely to education. There are six staff members in the education department, outnumbering the staff that works on the farm. The education program, in addition to the CSA, is another major way in which Phillies Bridge engages with the local community in a meaningful way.

Anna led us around the Harvest Room, barns, greenhouse, and some of the fields used for vegetable production. Along the way we also got to meet some chicken and goat friends. Some of the chickens were visiting from a micro-dairy down the road. Phillies Bridge had kindly offered to host them for a while as the dairy had an owl problem. Unfortunately some hawks had discovered the presence of the chickens at Phillies Bridge and so they were all taking shelter under their coop. The goats at the farm are kept in a movable pen. They are rotated around and act essentially as natural lawn mowers. Additionally, they are pretty adorable, friendly, and surprisingly vocal.

Whether you are an Ulster County local looking to learn more about and eat quality, sustainably-grown food or a native New Yorker searching for that nostalgia factor of the Hudson Valley, you will find what you are looking for at Phillies Bridge Farm Project.

By Natalie & Elise

Shaupeneak Ridge

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There is no doubt about it; Autumn is at our doorstep. And there is no place more beautiful in fall than the Hudson Valley. Half an hour from Vassar’s front gate is one of the most beautiful parks in Ulster county.

Shaupeneak Ridge is home to almost 9 miles of trails up and down and around a beautiful lake. A multitude of flora and fauna have claimed the ridge to their own. On my hike we encountered snakes, chipmunks, deer, frogs, fish, salamanders, squirrels, and birds, not to mention the occasional hiker and their dog. The leaves were a spectacular combination of fiery reds, burnt oranges, sunny yellows and vivid greens. I could not have wished for a more beautiful hike.

Shaupeneak Ridge is not a top tourist destination, but rather a park for the peaceful explorer. It is a little ways from any large city or other tourist destination, and it is off a small, almost hidden road (I almost missed the entrance) from 9W. Due to the large number of parks in the Hudson Valley, Shaupeneak Ridge may seem at first glance to be just another forest. But once I stepped foot onto the path in the bright sunlight and felt the soft wind on my skin, the land enchanted me. There was no one in sight and it was a perfect day. My friends, Miranda and Bernardo, had accompanied me to the park, and at 1:00 we started our hike. Little did we know that the path we chose was the hardest one in Shaupeneak. On our trek we met two families with dogs, an older trio out to take pictures, two young mountain bikers, and a middle-aged couple.

The view once we reached the summit (we climbed 900 vertical feet!) was breathtaking and well worth the hike. We could see all the way across the Hudson River and all the changing leaves. Turn a little, and we could make out the Catskills as well. It was really a perfect day for an expedition.

A little background on Shaupeneak Ridge: It’s not a profit based, nor economically providing place. It doesn’t bring in money, tourists, or stand out in any way. 790 acres of gorgeous mountainous terrain in the Marlboro Mountains. And that is what makes it so appealing to nature lovers.

The serene atmosphere is the main appeal to visitors and residents of the Hudson Valley alike. This park is solely for leisure and relaxation and even some hunting. It is by no means a high trafficked area, but it’s not barren either. It fits in perfectly with the surrounding mood and landscape of the Hudson Valley. It’s such a good example of the Hudson atmosphere that Scenic Hudson holds its annual Spring Sprint 5K Trail Race.

After hiking for two hours, the lake was a welcome sight. Besides holding incredible beauty, the lake was home to a myriad of little creatures. We spent another ten minutes just soaking up the sun, peace and view. All-in-all, I would definitely return to this preserve. Anyone who is up for a hike with splendid scenery should consider making the trip to Shaupeneak Ridge. If you would like to learn more, visit Scenic Hudson’s page on the park. Planning a visit? Check out Hike The Hudson Valley’s website for more detailed information on trails and weather.

Thoughts From Places: My Farm Fresh Rail Tour

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Last Sunday, at 9:50 a.m., I boarded the bus, umbrella in hand, to begin my Farm Fresh Rail Tour of Dutchess County, specifically for the “Fall Harvest: Wine, Cheese, & Apple Picking Weekend.”

First Stop: Fishkill Farms!

Although the rain of the morning had subsided, the weather was not optimal for apple picking, so I decided to check out the shop and buy some apple cider donuts. As I sat down at a picnic table to eat a donut and admire the scenery, I found it easy to imagine why so many city folk would want to go on one of these rail tours. Here, at the orchards, the other travelers and I were able see the true vastness of the land with the mountains in the background. In a striking contrast from New York City, the world here encourages us to slow down and pick apples as we stroll through a path of trees. Or, in the shop, we are able to realize how much work goes into each item, whether it be apple butter, tomato sauce, pies, jams, squash, pumpkins, pears, or corn, and we are forced to slow down and admire the (perhaps not so) small things in life. The farm fresh tours make this easy for people in the city–just buy your combination train-and-bus ticket, hop on the train at the correct time and place, and allow yourself to be whisked off to a lower stress atmosphere with the beauty of the Hudson Valley.

Next stop: the village of Millbrook!

If there was one word that was overused in this six-week course, it was “quaint,” but that is the word I would use to describe this little town. Filled with antique shops and boutiques, the village reminded me of our trip to Hudson. I ventured into two, the Millbrook Antiques Mall and Red School House Antiques, the latter being open only on Thursdays through Sundays. The owners of both shops greeted me warmly when I arrived, perhaps hoping to make me feel that traditional small business friendliness. One of them asked me, “How long ago did the bus arrive?”, which told me that these tours must supply many of their customers. I asked another what he believed drew people from the city to this area. Speaking as a former resident of the city himself, he replied that people really love the beauty and open space of the Hudson Valley, and how the area is not too commercialized. He added that people come here from all over, and they always say, ‘there’s no other place like this.’
After getting tired of looking at expensive antique items, I decided it was time for a bite to eat. As I studied the various places to get food, I noticed their slogans, notably the Millbrook Diner: “Stop! It’s time to eat!” and Babette’s Kitchen: “simply good food.” The first phrase reminded me of what I had thought about at Fishkill Farms. Here was another place where visitors could slow down and take a moment for leisure. The slogan was a reminder of the importance of food and enjoying life.
The second phrase made me think of something else. Are these visitors trying to experience the authenticity of the area as they perceive it? Perhaps city visitors are also trying to capture the simplicity they believe the Hudson Valley life to have. Maybe they feel as if Fishkill Farms gives them an “October Harvest” experience, and Millbrook provides them with an opportunity to window shop and sit down for a relaxed meal at a “kitchen”. Both can give them tastes for what they perceive as the simple lifestyle and culture of the area.

Third stop: the Clinton Vineyards!

“It feels like we’re back in the Civil War era.” This was something I heard someone say as she and her friends wandered around the property of the Clinton Vineyards. Although she immediately retracted her statement with “not really,” I saw where she was coming from. When we take time to admire the beauty of the landscape, it seems as if we are not only trying to pause time, but to go back to the past, which we associate in many ways with more simplicity.
The rolling hills of the adjacent fields made me think about what the shop owner had said about visitors loving the Hudson Valley’s open space. While children ran around on the grassy fields, their parents tasted wine to experience yet another “authentic” aspect of the area’s culture.

And finally: Sprout Creek Farm!

One highlight of this part of the trip was the three hour old calf! I was not able to take a picture, but I got a chance to see some of the cows get milked. The process seemed similar to that of Saundra’s milking building. Metal pipes carried away the milk, and it looked as if there were similar conveyor belts to carry away waste.
Sprout Creek provided us with our last tastes of the Hudson Valley for the day. In addition to seeing the cows, we visited the goats and chickens and tasted various kinds of delicious cheese.

As a side note, I met a Vassar student at Sprout Creek who had just started working there!

Opus 40

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After a flustering search for a ride to Rosendale’s Zombiefest, I had to concede the trip. But what could be better than people dressed up in corn syrup blood and ripped clothing? How would I ever redeem myself to my quirky professor? I was stressed. I went through the options for our field trips again, but nothing really stood out. I guessed that I could, maybe, if I had to, go to Opus 40 with my dad when he came for fall break.

Now, this might be a little bold, but I think that Opus 40 could have been better than the Zombiefest… but let me tell you more about what it it is. Opus 40 is an outdoor and “environmental” sculpture in Saugerties, about an hour away from campus (which made for excellent father and daughter bonding). It was built over 37 years by Harvey Fite, a professor at Bard (you win this one guys) who used leftover bluestone from the abandoned quarry.

We drove through areas saturated with corporations like Starbucks, wide open spaces, farms open for picking apples or pumpkins and a couple haunted houses ready for Halloween. Welcome back to America, dad.

We bought our tickets at $10 for adults, and $7 for students. We started talking with the man who sold them to us, who told us some really interesting things about the site. A lot of concerts used to happen around the sculpture, and still do—last year they had over 2,000 people for one event. Hurricane Sandy and Irene damaged one side of the sculpture, so now people can’t walk on it but they can see all the layers underneath, which is almost cooler. He then handed us a map and showed us where we could watch a six minute video about the site. The video was pretty informative and made the sculpture even more impressive by explaining the process and exhausting work that went into it.

After the viewing in a musty, wooden room, we walked around their gift store, which sells Opus 40 branded merchandise, candy and some beautiful art pricing up to $1,500. Walk around the barn and there’s a quarrymen’s museum with tools hung up in interesting formations. The museum is as beautiful as it is creepy—those tools are scary. It’s a whole experience there.

When we ventured out to the main attraction, it was almost zen with perfect weather, fall foliage and beautiful mountains as a backdrop. You kinda feel like an adventurer walking on the uneven and sometimes wobbly stones, and every different angle that you find is unique and absolutely breathtaking. You have to take a moment, find some privacy, and sit down. Go admire the multiple pools, equipped with fountains; sculptures scattered around the property, carved out of bluestone; and the nine ton monolith in the center.

Harvey Fite and his wife had their ashes spread over Opus 40, and I can see why. The place is majestic. Besides the almost meditative environment, Opus 40 provides an experience for visitors with a friendly and passionate staff, museum and gift shop—catering to all the people looking for a good getaway.For more info check out their website!

Why Barton Orchards Exemplifies All That Is Pleasant in The Hudson Valley

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A short, twenty minute, drive from Vassar College, Barton Orchards is set in a lovely rural area of Poughaug, New York. Cars pull up onto their grass to form a temporary parking lot for the unending line of visitors eager to explore this autumn staple.

Among the the masses were church groups, nuclear families, couples, and the general local populace. Although people seemed to be pouring in through the entrance way throughout the day, (in fact, the line only increased in length as the day progressed), I never felt crowded at any point.

There was so much space and so many different offerings that the crowd was very widely dispersed and frankly invisible most of the time. Admission was reasonable, just over ten dollars for access to all that the property has to offer or three dollars for general admission, making it a prime attraction for individuals and families on a budget.

Although primarily a recreational hot spot, Barton Orchards also has a store filled with local food to support the local economy, produce grown on the orchard itself, and general goods. Nonetheless, the storefront is definitely secondary to the rest of the Barton Orchards; it most assists local businesses by bringing visitors to Hudson Valley itself, which is quite a venture in of itself.

They boast many vegetables and fruit that visitors can pick their own of, a petting zoo, a playground, a “mining” set for younger visitors, a bakery, a haunted house, a tractor-pulled hay ride, and a corn maze.

The corn maze is based off of New York City street artist Matt Siren’s work. The maze has various stations that teach wanderers about graffiti art. For more information, check out this post by a Brooklyn Street Art Group, http://www.brooklynstreetart.com/theblog/2013/07/28/matt-sirens-ghost-girl-maze-poughquag-new-york/ .

The iconic Ghost Girl connects this Hudson Valley attraction with the city that provides the most tourism to such rural attractions. A very great decision by Barton Orchard owners indeed.

Extremely scenic in a small-town type of way, Barton Orchards embodies what so many visitors to the Hudson Valley picture. The petting zoo has adorable llamas, pigs, chickens, ponies and miniature ponies, a mule, and goats. Many of the animals run right up to the fences, eager to eat fro the palms of giggling children and stone-faced adults, who are apt to crack a smile as furry noses tickle their hands.

Cups of fresh brewed apple cider appear in and out of sight as the noon sun reminds guests

how pleasing fall drinks are to the palate. Even the buzzing of a chainsaw from a man cutting lumber in to bears and eagles rings soothingly in the ear.

The local charm is only further accentuated by the large apple orchard and pumpkin patch. The gloriously sweet and crisp apples and large, bright pumpkins exemplify what it means to be a Hudson Valley Resident in the autumn. People typically picture such benefits of fall as being beautiful, cracked leaves on the sidewalk and day trips to pick-your-own farms, and Barton Orchards certainly delivers on that expectation.

Overall, a visit to Barton Orchards makes for a memorable day trip that speaks wonders of Hudson Valleys local atmosphere and charm.

To find out more, visit Barton Orchards’ website: http://www.bartonorchards.com

Some Old and Some New

Hello! My name is Leela Stalzer. As a native to Ulster County and as a frequent visitor to Dutchess, I was feeling as if everything in our class was going to be at least mostly familiar. I attended high school in Kingston, which is one of only six cities in what we are calling the Hudson Valley, and I’ve been to Montgomery Place, the Mohonk Mountain House (I think my parents had their wedding reception there), the Bread Alone Bakery, Woodstock, Fishkill (my grandmother lives there), DIA Beacon, the Clearwater Festival, the Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, Upstate Films, FDR’s house, the Vanderbilt Mansions, and many of the other places mentioned in class and in the articles we have been reading.

simplicity

However, the trip to Amenia made me realize that although I’ve had all these experiences in the Hudson Valley, living there has made me taken both its apparently uncommon beauty and its attractive culture for granted. I am also sure I will continue being surprised by how much I don’t know and how much I just didn’t realize about the place I consider home.

Please ignore the terrible selfie, and direct your attention instead to the other pictures, which evoke Amenia’s sense of beautiful simplicity. It seems to me that those who run the farmers’ markets, the vintage shops, and the drive-in theaters in the towns of the Hudson Valley hope to enjoy this simplicity, along with feelings of leisure, in their everyday lives. This is also, I think, part of what draws so many people to areas like Amenia.

spice

Chairs

What a Wonderful…Thrift Shop

Hola Dudes and Dudettes,

To the my fellow classmates, I would like to say: Welcome to the blogosphhere! We are very delighted that you have moved over to the tech side of things. You are no longer an average citizen, but a media HERO. Which is a fairly big deal, in my opinion. And to those interested in the Hudson Valley, thank you for stopping by our page to read about the wonderful sights and wonders that are in the Hudson Valley. I am very certain it will be fantastic viewing all that the Hudson Valley has to offer.

I am typically referred to by my given name, Yasani (pronounced Ja-sani). However, I prefer to be called by my more modest name, Alien Technical Drama Savior. I feel this name captures the essence of my being, putting all of my wonderful abilities and characteristics into one fantastic phrase.

I am pretty well-rounded in the technical side of things. I guess you can say I know my way around a computer, well more like media software. I also am infatuated with the theatre. I love acting as well as watching, which is way less stressful. I consider myself an alien, as I am apart of the physics loving, science devoted species. I am an intended physics major, hoping to be apart of the engineering program. Lastly, I love clothes, the environment and FOOOD. Like this wonderful spread of sauces below!

Our first stop in our Hudson Valley Experience was the quaint town of Amenia. Here we stopped at a wonderfully small farmer’s market. Above is an assortment of products that one vendor was selling that come straight from Greece. He had a superb variety of flavored olive oils, as well as fresh feta cheese and different sauces, all of which made my mouth jump for joy.

Other vendors had a plethora of other items, such as locally produced milk, yogurt, and ice cream, fresh vegetables, and baked goods made from local products.

The farmer’s market of Amenia reflects the kind of town it is: small, quaint, and non-commercial. The two main streets in Amenia stop at “a light” in the center of the town. Unlike most towns, these main roads were not busy at all and neither were the little shops surrounding them. With a small antique store that is open “less than more” and a drive-in movie that hasn’t even begun showing any films, it is safe to say that this town isn’t a tourist destination in the Hudson Valley. It is, however, a great, quiet place to stop through and do some great antique or thrift shopping.

Storm King Art Center

On a fantastic late summer day, I took my family to the Storm King Art Center in Mountainville (Orange County). The museum is a sprawling, 500-acre estate showcasing massive outdoor works of sculpture and environmental art. Storm King Art Center is nestled in a foothill of the western face of Storm King Mountain. A lot of people were visiting on this day, but aside from the museum building, the parking lots, and the cafe, you can have a real solitary experience wandering the grounds. On the other side of this outdoor is the New York Thruway; the distant sound of cars whizzing by is the only thing that interrupts a total immersion into art and land.

First opened in 1960, the museum is perhaps one of the primary ways that the high art worlds of New York City and the world have come to know the Hudson Valley’s landscape. Some of the very top names in art have huge works on display here: Roy Liechtenstein, Richard Serra, Maya Lin, and so on. One indication that the museum’s patrons come largely from the New York City area is the fact that a Storm King Art Center membership includes a discount on renting a Zip Car; NYC residents often don’t own cars, and this place is really only accessible via auto or bus.

The highlight of our visit was Maya Lin’s work, Storm King Wavefield. Whereas most of the works are metal sculptures that visitors are asked not to touch, this “piece” is made of the earth itself. Visitors can walk (or run, as my kids did) up and down, lie down, hide behid, and otherwise traverse the slopes that Lin designed.

Click here to learn more about Storm King Art Center.

The Hudson Valley's Amenity Economy

Environmental Studies 291

Tag Archives: ENST291

ENST 291: Trip to Phillies Bridge Farm Project

Shaupeneak Ridge

Thoughts From Places: My Farm Fresh Rail Tour

Opus 40

Why Barton Orchards Exemplifies All That Is Pleasant in The Hudson Valley

Some Old and Some New

What a Wonderful…Thrift Shop

Storm King Art Center

Photogenic Vegetables

Leonard Nevarez