Lower Esopus Creek

The Lower Espous Creek runs from the Ashokan Reservoir, through the Farm Hub, to the Hudson River. Over time, the Esopus Creek channel has shifted, depositing sediment across the Hurley Flats. This process has resulted in an accumulation of deep, rich, sandy loam, that is ideal for cultivation. The Esopus is an asset for irrigation and nutrient accumulation, but also a challenge, because of frequent flooding. Our unique position along this waterway gives us an opportunity to explore management practices that respond to and even take advantage of flooding events.

Farm Hub Planning Retreat

The Farm Hub planning retreat was a visioning session held at the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY, from June 13th to 15th, 2014. Over the course of these three days, a group of more than 100 invitees had a discussion that ranged from big visions and holistic thinking to Farm Hub programs and operations. The retreat included lectures and presentations, large group discussions, break-out topical sessions, and shared meals. A group of collaborators and partners, including local farmers, regional policy makers, distributors and marketers, scientists, educators, and national thought leaders, engaged in the retreat.

Cover Cropping

Cover crops are used to support market crops, as well as to benefit the surrounding ecosystem. We plant them on a rotation with market crops to prepare and replenish the soil. They provide natural fertilization, soil stabilization, water retention, weed suppression, pest control, tillage, and wind protection. The Farm Hub is experimenting with different blends of rotational cover crops as an ecological alternative to chemical inputs.

Small Grains Trials

Our small grains trials are designed to help farmers respond to the emerging market demand for locally grown grains in the food and beverage industry. The Farm Hub has planted multiple varieties of barley and wheat as part of a field rotation to study best growing practices and appropriate varieties for the region’s climate. In 2015 we hosted the third annual Hudson Valley Small Grains field day, presented by Cornell Cooperative Extension. The day gave Cornell researchers a chance to present the trial plots to local farmers.

Grain Corn

Our grain corn research project involves no-till and organic production methods with novel interseeding of cover crops into grains. The brilliant red “Bloody Butcher”, used in making specialty bourbon, was the first variety tested, planted on multiple fields during the 2014 season.