Chamber Hosts 7th Annual Agricultural Awareness Tour

Hudson, NY – The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce hosted the 7th Annual Agricultural Awareness Tour on Saturday, June 24.  Over 30 attendees took part in this year's tour.  The guided tour visited three specific farms, but attendees were also given a wonderful back roads tour of the County by tour emcee, David Rifenburgh from First Pioneer Farm Credit.  David highlighted the many other farms and agricultural businesses that were passed along the route.  Following the tour attendees returned to the Columbia County Fairgrounds to enjoy a box lunch of local products from Renner's Creative Celebrations, Inc.  Please click here to view the photo gallery.

The annual tour was created to educate and increase awareness of the socioeconomic impact that the agricultural sector has on Columbia County.  Participants were able to get an in-depth look into Harrier Fields Farm, Full Belly Farm and Spruce Ridge Farm.

Harrier Fields Farm was built in 1835 as an English homestead.  It is located in the town of Stuyvesant on the Columbia/Rensselaer border.  It includes an original set of general purpose buildings and now consists of sixty acres on the home farm.  Harrier Fields Farm was established in 1983 by Mike Scannell and is the second oldest organically managed farm in Columbia County.  They raise Devon cattle seedstock and cross-bred Devon grassfed beef for direct sale.  Other heritage breeds raised on the farm are Tamworth , Old Spot, and Berksire pigs.  Eight Belgian draft horses are being phased in to accomplish the farm work efficiently.  The farm's goal is to produce food with more calorie content than the calories in the energy it took to produce it.

Old Chatham 's Full Belly Farm produces a diversity of vegetables, berries and cut flowers, sold at their farm stand from mid-May to early October, as well as to a local restaurant and distributed to local food pantries. All produce is grown without the use of synthetic chemicals and is sold as fresh as conceivably possible. Their intent is to offer the highest quality food to the community. The farm stand is open Fridays and Saturdays, 9:00 to 5:00, in season.

Spruce Ridge Farm is located in the beautiful, historic town of Old Chatham . They specialize in quality, registered alpacas and have been involved with these wonderful animals since 1997. Their herd is diverse both in bloodlines and color to provide you with a choice of the finest alpacas. They give detailed attention to their animals and to their customers. They are a full-service farm offering alpaca sales, breeding, boarding, consulting, fiber and alpaca fiber products.

National Union Bank of Kinderhook and First Niagara Bank were Major Sponsors of the tour. Midhudsonmedia and The Register Star/Chatham Courier were Media Sponsors. Columbia Land Conservancy, First Pioneer Farm Credit and Hawthorne Valley Association were Brass Sponsors.

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, with its 850 members, is the leading voice of business in Columbia County , providing advocacy, promotional and benefit solutions for its members. Those seeking more information concerning the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and membership can contact the Chamber at (518) 828-4417 or visit the website at www.columbiachamber-ny.com.