In a time when local agriculture is fast disappearing from our landscape, we're very fortunate to have access to fresh, locally-grown organic produce from two family farms in our area, which have been supplying the Coop for many years: The Farm at Miller's Crossing and Slack Hollow Farm.

The Farm at Miller's Crossing, Hudson NY

Katie Smith and Chris Cashen have been farming their land in Columbia County for nearly a decade now and providing their produce to the Coop for just about as long. The Farm at Miller's Crossing is located on 200 acres of farmland on which Chris grew up. On their farm, they currently grow 15 acres of mixed vegetables and employ organic practices such as planting cover crops to build fertility and crop rotation. They also have a small herd of cattle, raised for organic beef, which help to enrich the soil by providing them with compost.

From June through November, you'll find a variety of greens and veggies at the Coop grown by The Farm at Miller's Crossing, including their popular mesclun salad mix and other greens, as well as tomatoes, carrots, fingerling potatoes and beets. Earlier this spring, you may have been lucky enough to buy their strawberries or purchase the plants they provide each year for home gardeners. In addition to what they supply to the Coop, the farm also offers a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Each Wednesday at the Coop, shareholders pick up their delicious allotment of the week's harvest. To learn more or buy a share, pick up a brochure at the Coop. You can also visit Katie and Chris at farmers' markets in Kinderhook, NY on Saturdays and Lenox, MA on Fridays.

Slack Hollow Farm, Argyle

Located in nearby Washington County is another longtime local supplier of fresh organic vegetables to the Coop, Slack Hollow Farm. Martha Johnson and Seth Jacobs have been farming on their 136-acre certified organic farm since 1985. Interestingly enough, not only do Martha and Seth harness the sun to grow their crops, they also utilize solar power in their home, which is entirely powered "off the grid." They have been supplying the Coop with weekly deliveries of fresh produce since 1989.

From spring through early winter, Slack Hollow Farm provides the Coop with delicious organically grown spinach, salad greens, and mixed vegetables including carrots, onions, scallions, tomatoes, beets and potatoes as well as herbs. For the last three years, they have also been the Coop's exclusive provider of butternut squash, supplying nearly 3 tons this past year alone. Fans of their spinach will be happy to learn that another greenhouse is in the works that will help to provide even more of this popular leafy green. You can also visit Slack Hollow Farm at the Troy Waterfront Farmers' Market on Saturdays and the Saratoga Market on Wednesdays during the growing season.