Going green encompasses many small and large acts, each contributing to saving our environment, and our planet. We can all contribute by doing seemingly small acts that collectively add up to major contributions. Each of us can contribute to "going green" by buying from local farms and Farmers Markets. Columbia County offers many local farms and Farmers Markets where you can buy fresh and healthy produce from the bounty of the Hudson Valley; and for a special treat pick-your-own fruits and vegetables and one of many U-pick farms in Columbia County, New York.

Visit your local farm in Columbia County. There are many farms throughout Columbia, offering a wonderful selection of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other farm fresh products. Select delicious produce at one of the Farmers' Markets or at a market on the farm. For a day out in the fresh air, pick-your-own fruit and vegetables on a U-pick farm. Bring the kids, bring the whole family, or go yourself and experience a beautiful and satisfying day on the farm.

Visit farms in the towns of Ancram, New York, Chatham, New York, Claverack, New York, Hudson, New York, and Kinderhook, New York. The farms in Columbia County sell a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including New York apples, berries, pumpkins and U-pick produce. In addition to pick-your-own fruits, many local farms have acres of delicious vegetables available for you to pick-your-own; or you can buy the already picked produce at the farms market stand. You will also find that many farm markets offer a wide range of fresh jars of honey, jams and chutney. Several of the markets also offer fresh apple cider to go with the donuts that have just been made . . . yum. You can also find local crafts, cheeses, soups, and other specialty items that are charming and made locally.

Select one or more farms to visit at local farms in Columbia County and go apple, berry, or even pumpkin picking in Columbia. Farmer's markets and Pick-Your-Own farms abound throughout the county of Columbia in the upper-Hudson Valley. There are farm markets for all seasons offering many wonderful items including homegrown seasonal fruits & produce such as apples, peaches, apricots, nectarines, pears, plums, blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes & corn. Some farms are open through late December selling Christmas trees and other seasonal items.

Children enjoy activities at your local pick-your-own farm such as picking raspberries, blueberries, apples, and pumpkins for Halloween. Many pick-your-own farms offer additional healthy outdoor activities for the kids including hayrides, a corn maze, and pick your own pumpkin - for very strong children.

Visit organic farms in Columbia County. Some farms offer healthy organic produce with more farms working toward going organic or getting a Farmers Pledge certification. Among the many organic farms offering healthy produce are organic farms selling vegetables, organic meats including red meat and poultry, eggs, and more.

Several pick-your-own farms have beautiful views of the hills and mountains of Columbia County, also offering kids a wonderful time outdoors "picking their own food". Pick-you-own, also known as U-Pick farms are great fun for children and kids of all ages.

Farmers Markets abound in the Hudson River Valley. To find your local market or list of Farmers Markets in the Hudson River Valley, click on the Local Harvest website and enter your zip code or city. A list is displayed of local Farmers Markets, with address and hours of operation.

Buy Local Movement
The "buy local" movement is quickly taking us beyond the promise of environmental responsibility that the organic movement delivered, and awakening us to the importance of community, variety, humane treatment of farm animals, and social and environmental responsibility in regard to our food economy.

Local Farmers Markets
Farmers Markets are one of the oldest forms of direct marketing by small farmers. From the traditional "Mercados" in the Peruvian Andes to the unique street markets in Asia, growers all over the world gather weekly to sell their produce directly to the public. In the last decade they have become a favorite marketing method for many farmers throughout the United States, and a weekly ritual for many shoppers.

In a Farmers Market, farmers sell their products once or twice a week at a designated public place like a park or parking lot. Some Farmers Markets have live entertainment. Shopping at a Farmers Market is a great way to meet local farmers and get fresh, flavorful produce. Many farms have set-up farm markets on their own farm. In addition to fresh picked fruits and vegetables, the Farmers’ Markets often sells crafts and other locally made products.

Farmers Markets provide a means for local producers of agricultural products to sell those products directly to the consumer. Many communities throughout New York State view Farmers Markets as a positive avenue for supporting local agriculture, providing a source of fresh fruits and vegetables to the residents of their community, and as a means of drawing people into their community aiding in the economic redevelopment of an area.

The Farmers’ Market Federation of New York is a statewide not-for-profit organization designed to both promote and provide support services for the Farmers Markets within New York State. The Federation was formed through the collective efforts of market managers throughout the state, Cooperative Extension, and the Department of Agriculture & Markets, and was initially funded by a Federal State Marketing Improvement Grant in early 1998.

Large-scale chemical agriculture continues to poison our soil and our water, and weaken our communities. Buying directly from a family farm can help put a stop to this unfortunate trend. By purchasing organic produce from your local farmer, you are working to maintain a healthy environment, a vibrant community, and a strong and sustainable local economy for you and for your family.

Organic Food
The freshest, healthiest, most flavorful organic food is food that is grown locally. Organically grown food is free from exposure to harmful chemicals; but that is only one part of the importance of organic products. A larger part of Organic Agriculture involves the health of the soil and of the ecosystems in which crops and livestock are raised. Organic Agriculture is born from the idea that a healthy environment significantly benefits crops and the health of those consuming them. In addition, organic practices are also viable in the long term, since they are efficient in their use of resources. Unlike large scale "chemical agriculture", Organic Agriculture does not damage the environment and our local community.

Throughout the Hudson Valley, local farms and farmer's markets abound. Visit a local farmer's market in Albany, Rensselaer, Greene County, Columbia County, Ulster, Dutchess, Putnam, Orange, and the lower-Hudson counties of Westchester and Rockland. Experience the colorful abundance of nutritious, high quality locally grown foods, the aroma of fresh produce and the friendly banter of farmers and customers, neighbors and families. A visit to a Farmers Market is an adventure, and among the fun things to do in your own community. Bring the children. Children love visiting their local farmer's market where they can meet the farmers, ask questions, and learn about the food. Farmers' Markets also provide a lesson in supporting your own community and the environment.

Both economic and health factors have resulted in the growth of Farmers Markets across the country. Not only is a completely new generation of farmers seeking retail outlets that increase their profitability and viability thus preserving agriculture for themselves and future generations, but also, consumers are discovering that Farmers Markets are a fun, reasonably priced, alternative to supermarkets. At Farmers Markets they have direct access to fresh, healthy local foods and to the farmers who produce the foods. The experience inevitably includes developing relationships and friendships with the farmers and gaining an understanding and appreciation of where their food comes from and how it is produced.

Use the Local Harvest website on the Farmers Markets & Local Farms page to find Farmers Markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other delicious and healthy treats.