Chamber to Host 9th Annual Agricultural Awareness Tour

Hudson, NY – We invite you to join us to explore agriculture in Columbia County on the 9th annual Chamber Agricultural Awareness Tour on Saturday, June 21 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. The tour will leave from the Columbia County Fairgrounds located at Route 66 in Chatham. The tour is open to Chamber members and the public. Tickets are $15 and include tour transportation and a “box lunch” of local products. The tour will return to the Fairgrounds for lunch and a recap of the day. Space is limited. Please call the Chamber to make a reservation.

The annual tour was created to educate and increase awareness of the socioeconomic impact that the agricultural sector has on Columbia County. In addition to a back roads tour of the county, participants will be stopping at three specific sites for guided tours. Participants will get an in-depth look into Golden Harvest Farm, Gumaer Farm and Roxbury Farm.

Gumaer Farm is a full working dairy farm in Stuyvesant Falls . Gumaer pasteurizes and bottles its own milk onsite (whole, chocolate, 2-percent, skim, etc). They can also deliver cream, half and half and free range eggs, maple syrup, honey, pies, cookies, cottage cheese, sour cream, butter, buttermilk and orange juice. The Gumaer family bottles and delivers their products in the local area, and stores outside the local area. The milk is antibiotic-and BGH-free, and their operation is growing. They have built a successful business by producing reasonably priced, superior product with the convenience of home delivery for the busy family.

Roxbury Farm is a community supported farm , one of the largest in the country, and the first to have a community in New York City . They grow vegetables, herbs, melons, and strawberries, for over 990 shareholders representing over 1000 families in four communities-- Columbia County , the Capital Region, Westchester County and Manhattan --on 225 acres in Kinderhook. Roxbury is also a biodynamic farm , which means it's organic. But biodynamic means more than organic. Both are alternatives to toxic chemicals and genetic manipulation, but it isn't only what they don't do that makes their farm different from conventional farms; it's what they do.

Golden Harvest Farm is a third generation apple farm that began in the late 1940s. The original farm was comprised of the 50-acre orchard and the primary retail store that still stands today. In 1974 the second generation Grout family moved to the farm. The family doubled the acreage and new buildings were constructed to refrigerate, pack and store apples. Currently the farm operates on over 200 acres and boasts a modern packing line that exports their apples to as far away as Costa Rica and Panama. The farm continues to find new and innovative ways to use and promote their products. Two and a half years ago Derek Grout of Golden Harvest and his business partner Tom Crowell launched their venture to create vodka from the apples that were already being produced on the farm. In April 2008 Core Vodka was officially released as the first product from the newly formed company Harvest Spirits. The vodka is distilled right on the premises of Golden Harvest after converting one of their massive cold storage rooms into a micro-distillery. Customers will be able to see the apple orchards, tour the distillery, taste and purchase the final product. The product is also sold in some local liquor stores and restaurants.

First Niagara Bank, Kinderhook Bank and Taconic Farms, Inc. are Major Sponsors of the tour. Midhudsonmedia and The Register-Star/Chatham Courier are Media Sponsors. Fingar Insurance is a Contributing Sponsor. The Berry Farm, Columbia Land Conservancy, First Pioneer Farm Credit, Hawthorne Valley Association and Wachovia Securities are Supporting 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.