Here is an article I wrote last fall about Organic Farms in the Hudson Valley for a local magazine:

Organic Farming: A Wellspring of Hope in the Hudson Valley

It is early autumn and warm, glowing sunlight paints its way diagonally across ornamental gardens.  Rows of heirloom tomatoes, grapes, raspberries, carrots and strawberries line either side of the sloping driveway toward an old, converted barn that serves as a farm stand.  People are strolling in-and-out, mulling over the late harvest selection of potatoes, onions, garlic (still on its' stalks), and plethora of wild and cultivated greens.  A community is sharing the latest local news, casually lingering over fresh-brewed coffee, or Nadine's made-to-order vegetable-omelets.  Although this snapshot of rural farm life may sound like a page from years past, it is the regular order of business every Saturday morning at Guy Jones' Blooming Hill Organic farm, located on Route 208 in Monroe, County.

Guy Jones is just one of an increasing number of Hudson Valley farmers that actively grow and sell organic produce.  Steeped in agricultural tradition, the Valley's farming population has been rapidly declining.  In the past 20 years, nearly 600  Valley farms have closed up shop.  Unable to compete with the double whammy of cheap imported produce and the onslaught of agri-business conglomerates, many farmers sold the land their families had tilled and tended for generations and moved on, if not to greener pastures then at least to greener bank accounts.  Beyond the tragic loss of the farms themselves, these land sales have rapidly destroyed the face; character, and some would say the soul of this beautiful valley.  Centuries of rolling hills, lush green cow-dotted landscapes, and pockets of hardwood forest providing habitat to a wide range of wildlife were giving way to unchecked development and the resultant urban sprawl.

However, in the face of near suburban obliteration, there is a glimpse of hope for the survival of the family farm and Valley landscape—hope that springs from Organics.  A hope that is born from the labors and vision of a new group of farmers committed to raising organic crops and livestock that are prized for their flavor, healthfulness and wholesomeness. 

What differentiates these farmers is their ability to offer high quality produce at the premiums that Organics demand.  Commonly understood as farming without synthetic pesticides and conventional fertilizers, meeting USDA "Organic" standards is a labor-intensive process.  However, by omitting toxins, organic farming helps reduce soil erosion and ground-water pollution; and provides consumers with healthier foods that have more robust taste.  Even in a rainy year, Guy Jones' heirloom tomatoes burst with a juiciness and flavor that their cardboard-like supermarket cousins could never replicate.>>

Catering to the growing market of discriminating consumers and professional chefs, organic farms are reestablishing the agricultural roots and economic viability of farming in this historic valley.  Some are generational farmers, like Guy Jones, that discovered both opportunity and optimism in organics.  While others, like Keith Stewart of Keith's Farm in Grangeville, are midlife career-changers.  "A little past the age of forty, I was living in a small apartment in New York City, working as a project manager for a consulting firm…  It didn't feel good," explained Stewart.  "Today, I work more hours, have no company retirement plan or paid vacation, and have more things to worry about, but I can honestly say that I am a happier man." 

Beyond just fueling the local economy, organic farms provide Valley townships with a resurgent sense of community—a sanctuary for residents seeking a better, simpler quality of life.  Today, nearly 60 of the approximately 2,800 remaining Hudson Valley farms are designated "Organic," with a wide range of agricultural offerings, including apples, peaches, honey, produce, artesian cheeses, and dairy products.  Fundamentally rural these farms, and their 21^st Century pioneers, unite generational locals with former Cityite's and give them a place to gather, shop, and eat fresh, organically grown food, all while reinvigorating local economy and preserving the integrity of Hudson Valley's agricultural legacy.