Ancram Farm Tour

Saturday, September 15^th 10:00am - 4:00pm

All Ages

Free

View photos from this event

Enjoy a self-guided 25-mile bike tour or driving tour of 8 Ancram farms featuring tours, milking demonstrations, tastings, and much much more. Co-sponsored by the Ancram Agricultural and Farmland Protection Planning Committee.

Underwriting by Columbia County Tourism

The tour offers incredibly scenic views of rolling farmland and the Taconic Mountains. Many of the farms are located on permanently protected land with a conservation easement held by CLC. There are almost 6,000 acres of permanently protected land in Ancram.

Restrooms, parking, and information

Drowned Lands Swamp Conservation Area
654 Route 3, Ancram
This is also the recommended place for cyclists to start and end their rides.

Route

Download PDF Route Map or view on Google.

1. Herondale Farm – 90 Wiltsie Bridge Road, Ancramdale
   Sol Flower Farm – CSA at Herondale
   Enjoy a 40-minute tour of Herondale Farm and Sol Flower Farm beginning at 10am. Meet the grass-fed cows and sheep as well as the pasture-raised pigs and chicken of Herondale Farm. Tour the Sol Flower Farm CSA, featuring fresh vegetables and cut flowers. Farm store open 9am-5pm. Herondale Farm has 250 acres protected with a conservation easement held by CLC.
2. Cricket Hill Farm – 115 Snyder Road, Ancramdale
   Cricket Hill Farm, an equine training facility, will have pony rides available 11am-1pm and tours of the facility throughout the day. The Gardens at Cricket Hill, part of the Garden Conservancy’s national program, will be open for visitors free of charge. Cricket Hill Farm has 180 acres protected with a conservation easement held by CLC.
3. Hillrock Farm & Distillery – 408 Poole Hill Road, Ancram
   Visit Hillrock Estate & Distillery from 9am-5pm for guided tours of the distillery, malthouse, and farming operation. Hillrock is one of the few “field-to-glass” whiskey distilleries in the world.
4. The Horse Institute – 21 Finkle Road, Ancramdale
   The Horse Institute will offer two 30-minute demonstrations on Natural Horsemanship (made famous by the Horse Whisperer). Participants will learn how horses help people improve non-verbal communication and emotional intelligence. Demonstrations are scheduled for 11am and 2pm.
5. The Amazing Real Live Food Company – 96 Chase Road, Pine Plains
   The Amazing Real Live Food Company will provide tours of their farmstead during the day with tastings of a variety of their delicious cheeses. The farmstead has 115 acres protected with a conservation easement held by CLC and benefited from a purchase of development rights that CLC facilitated.
6. Brook-Crest Farm – Chase Road, Pine Plains
   Cow milking demonstration scheduled for 3pm.
7. Ronnybrook Farm Dairy – 310 Prospect Hill Road, Ancramdale
   Visit Ronnybook to get a guided tour of the facility and enjoy tastings of the dairy products they produce. Tours available throughout the day. Farm stand open 10am – 4pm.
8. Toll Gate Farm at Beckenrah Farm – 136 Fox Hill Road, Ancramdale
   Toll Gate Farm will provide tours of their operation throughout the day with samples of dairy product from Hudson Valley Fresh. Beckenrah Farm has 565 acres protected with a conservation easement held by CLC.

Restaurants

• The Pond – 711 County Route 8, Ancramdale – 4-9pm
• Ancram Hotel – Route 82, Center of Ancram – 2pm-11pm
• Firehouse Deli – 1310 County Route 7, Ancram – 6am-5pm
• The Farmer’s Wife – 3 County Route 8, Ancramdale – 7am-5pm