Farms in Northern NY (St Lawrence, Potsdam, Canton)

[emmaegbert]

POSTED BELOW WITH WHAT I FOUND ON THIS TRIP

Hi,

Hoping some people can help me out with info!

My 3yo son and I will be spending the month of August with my parents at their "camp" in Cranberry Lake NY (which is really in the towns of Clifton-Fine, close to Tupper Lake).

We love to eat local as much as we can. I grew up in NYC and miss the East Coast seasonal foods, b/c now I am at school in San Diego (which has its own very delicious foods and lovely mild weather, don't get me wrong).

Last year we discovered the Canton Farmers market, which we loved. Also we made a trip once week or so to Potsdam food coop. (but phew with gas so expensive i might have to cut back). We buy some tasty corn in Colton (I am thinking about that corn already).

But... what am I missing? I am sure there are good little secret spots but not much is online up there so I can't do research ahead of time!

I saw flyers up for farms where you can go buy raw milk (I know in NY its only legal to buy on farm), does anyone do that? How does it work? Where are the best places?

Also I heard some rumor once about a berry farm where you can do a work exchange for produce... what about pastured eggs? (we don't eat meat, but go figure, its the one product I see promoted online).

We stumbled upon an Amish market one day in Postdam but I don't know how regular of a thing that was (yum we got some very delicious melons!). We also visited the Cornell Extension "learning farm" right outside of Canton, which my son thought was the bees knees. But they don't actually sell any produce or anything.

And we don't know any kids (or mommas) up there, and never seem to see anyone around! (well, Cranberry Lake is a *very* small town. But I know that there must be some AP/alternative type families somewhere around there, since there is the school at the Birdsfoot Farm).

Thanks!
Emma

[emmaegbert]

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[emmaegbert]

WELL,

Our visit is almost over. Its been great. We've been foraging the woods like crazy for berries and making rosehip jam too.

We ended up connecting with the Windy Ridge Dairy in West Potsdam. You can buy raw milk on the farm, as well as yummy yogurt that they make there. They suggest calling ahead. They have 10 pastured Jersey cows and use horses instead of engines to do farm work, and are transitioning to an entirely direct-sale business (no more selling wholesale milk, I guess). They seem very nice and invited my 3yo son to look around, pet the horses, etc. He was thrilled. He drank a quart of milk on the way home and said, "its kind of creamy" (an understatement-- its VERY creamy). Poor deprived fellow.

I've seen easily googled lists of pastured/grass-fed meats. We're veggies so it doesn't do us any good. But there seems to be meat CSAs, bulk buying deals, etc.

Other than that-- there are all the farm markets and then the stands that I guess you just know about if you live nearby (or drive by). I just heard today on North Country Public Radio about a 4-H project which is a farm stand and veggie garden in Tupper Lake. The woman being interviewed says there are also animals on the farm and they are very "kid-friendly". Maybe we'll check it out before we leave. We never did much research into work-exchange on any local farms, but I always hear about a berry farm where you can do that (we had so many wild berries though-- no time to go pick on a farm!). Apparently NCPR has been doing segments all summer on "local food" so perhaps they have more info.

We've gone to the Canton Farmers market. I know there are many others but haven't gone this year (long drives!). There are also two organic vegetable farms selling at the Canton Farmers market, and their prices seemed good to me. The market also has a program allowing vendors to accept food stamps. Its also just fun- out in the park with live music and free yoga class on Fridays. My son enjoys it there.

I'm sure we'll be missing the Adirondacks when we head back home next week. Its been beautiful, as always.

-Emma

[Bellabaz]

Thanks for the name of the farm with raw milk. I have been looking. We found one but when we called them they said they had just decided to stop selling it due to lack of profit. I live in the Potsdam area. Its too bad I just saw your post or we could have met up. I have heard Cranberry lake is beautiful. We want to go camping there next month.

[Mavournin]

What great information! My ILs have property outside of Canton and spend the summer there. We go up as often as possible. I am always looking for "real" food when we travel.