05 Oct Harvest Time

Butterfly alighting on flower

There’s nothing better than a day in the country and one sure way of returning to nature is a visit to Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Pocantico Hills, NY. Originally a private dairy farm for the Rockefeller family, the farm is now under the care and administration of a nonprofit organization for the creation of healthy and sustainable food systems and the tutelage of future farmers.

Gourd growing on the vine

The fall Harvest Fest is a joyous, fun-filled day of demonstrations, classes, activities, great organic food (I couldn’t resist the jelly doughnut muffins) and a turkey parade as a grand finale! I enjoyed a hayride around the farm, learning about crop rotation and animal husbandry. Taking a flower crafting class I made a boutonniere for my lapel. There was even a class where we made our own butter!

The options are plentiful and provide a lot of enjoyment and education for all kinds of interests. For animal lovers there’s sheep herding, pig feeding and egg collecting (which the chickens may not be fond of…).

Turkeys on parade

The farm is especially beautiful at this time of year, too, as leaves are changing and the landscape is colored with orange, brown, red, yellow and light green.

Enjoying the day

Stone Barns is also home to the famous and popular Blue Hill Restaurant with their sumptuous options sourced from the surrounding fields and pastures as well as other local farms. The restaurant changes course constantly and is a culinary surprise upon every visit.

I can’t recommend this place enough. It’s a pleasurable delight and a true escape from the rigors of city living.