THE LEGACY OF THE HUDSON RIVER VALLEY

If you have recently moved to Westchester County, are looking at homes here or are considering moving to our charming area, we have good news for you. You are near one of the most fertile farm areas in the U.S.: the Hudson Valley. And this means you’ll have easy access to food that is fresher and tastes better than store-bought products—and is better for you.

This website’s wealth of information and online access to high quality local foods is especially helpful to area newcomers. When we moved here three years ago from Hoboken, New Jersey, we had little knowledge of the exciting food experiences that lie ahead. We had to piece together this fantastic story all by ourselves—with a little help from local media and new acquaintances, of course. We can’t tell you how happy we are to have established relationships with local farmers and become active investors in their future.

Like most rural areas in the U.S., the Hudson Valley’s economy was historically based on agriculture. The region’s rich soils supported a variety of fruit and vegetable production, and dairy and beef farms dotted the landscapes of the more northern counties.

Once known as the nation’s “Bread Basket”, the Hudson Valley today has more than 900,000 acres of farmland stretching from the Adirondack Mountains to the outskirts of New York City. These farms, with their livestock, fields, orchards, and vineyards are at the heart of many of the scenic vistas that make this region a popular destination for artists, tourists and those eager to live amidst its beauty—and bounty.

One of our favorite farm areas to visit is Marlborough, NY. It's a beautiful area right on the Hudson River and has everything to offer from apple picking to local wineries. Take a look at their local website Meet me in Marlborough for more details.

For more than three centuries the Hudson River Valley has been a destination for visitors from around the world.

Our Hudson is a river of firsts:

• The first great river that explorers discovered when they arrived in the New World

• The first line of defense during the War for Independence: nearly one-third of the battles took place on or near its banks

• The river whose mystery, romance and beauty inspired America’s first writers and painters

• The river whose deep water port helped New York City become the nation’s foremost financial center

• The river that inspired the country’s first conservationists

• And, after suffering extraordinary degradation in the late 20th century, the first battleground of environmentalists

• 17% of the land in the Hudson Valley—almost 1,000 square miles—is in agricultural use in 4,000 farms

• More than half of the farms in the Valley are under 100 acres

• Only 1% of farms are owned by corporations

• Direct sales from farms had increased by almost 70% from 1997 to 2002

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