’Tis the season for fresh, local veggies, and it doesn’t get much more local than the produce grown and harvested at Sunset Farm on Ridge Road in Queensbury! We popped in last weekend and came away with a basket filled with the best of summer - corn, tomatoes, cucumber, summer squash, a loaf of sourdough (still warm!), a bouquet of flowers - that we cut ourselves, might we add - and a half dozen of the most delightful molasses cookies. While there, we chatted with owner Elizabeth Miller to find out a bit more about the farm and their plans for growth (pun intended!).
On the Past
We’d love to hear a bit about the farm’s history!
We purchased the farm on September 14, 2008. It was a long standing produce stand on Ridge Road and I wanted to see it continue. I was afraid that a developer would purchase the land and remove the last bit of operating farm on Ridge Road. The goal was to save the farm and see it grow for generations to come!
According to the local records, the farm has been operating since 1928. We aren’t really sure what the primary crop was at that time. From the little bits people were able to tell us, we can presume they had a variety of crops. There were originally two farm stands directly next to one another that were operated by rather interesting characters. The other farm stand was where the Emergency Squad is currently located.
Do you have any idea where the name of the farm came from?
We aren’t completely sure of the origin of the name “Sunset Farm”, but at certain times of the year, the sunset viewed from the back field is gorgeous - so that might’ve had something to do with it!
Any carryovers from the original farm?
Over the years, we have had many customers share their version of the “original” molasses cookie recipe from back in the day! It’s been pretty neat to have our customers share stories of the farm and to see the variations in the molasses cookie recipes. We still bake and sell our famous molasses cookies every week!
On Growth
You’ve been growing! Tell us about the evolution of the farm to date.
We take great pride in serving our customers local, home grown produce, as well as locally sourced products. Our expansion started with the hoop house located behind the farm stand and we eventually added an electric fence around the main field. This year, we have expanded immensely with the addition of a split rail out front, a pergola behind the stand, a 30x90 greenhouse behind the field and the cultivation of an additional two acres. Because of the expansion, we needed to include an additional well. We have more sprinklers and drip lines. Our permit has been approved to extend our roof and add additional space to the interior of the stand this fall.
Over the years, we have greatly expanded our Sunset Farm team! Hal Bain has been working on the farm for the past nine years and continues to be a favorite face to all of our customers! We are so pleased to have Caroline Brown and Chelsae Gadway as part of our team, alongside our wonderful volunteer, Nick Caimano. With the help of Bill Batkay, Griff Thomas is spearheading expansion on the farm for the next generation. Our most recent area of growth has been the addition of our two field workers, Madelyn and Amelia VanKirk, who do an amazing job on all aspects of the farm!
Sisters Madelyn and Amelia VanKirk
What are some unique aspects of the farm?
We are proud to grow so much of our own produce! It is important for our customers to see where their food is being grown. If we don’t grow it, we source it locally! We also take great pride in our garden! When our flowers are in full bloom, there is nothing more beautiful! We encourage our customers to swing by the stand to pick their own bouquets and explore the field of flowers. It’s a great activity on a warm summer day and a highlight on the farm!
On the Goods
What are some of the primary crops now available?
We have been harvesting most of our crops this year, so there’s always a wonderful variety of produce for our customers to choose from! Right now, we have tomatoes, bell peppers, potatoes, zucchini, squash, yellow and green beans, banana peppers, napa cabbage, cucumbers, winter squash, pumpkins, gourds and locally grown corn available at the farm. Of course, we love our flowers at Sunset Farm! We have hanging baskets in the Spring and mums in the Fall. Throughout the season, we stock lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, swiss chard, bell peppers, banana peppers, green and wax beans, asparagus, zucchini, summer squash, beets, spring onions, onions, cabbage, potatoes and so much more!
You also have a nice variety of other local goods, too!
We do! Along with our own produce, we have a nice selection of locally sourced goods including corn from BJ's Farm and honey from our bees. We also carry Battenkill Chocolate Milk, as well as some delicious sourdough bread, chocolate chip cookies, maple syrup, cheese, bottled herbs, fruit (Hand melons, blueberries, cherries, Ariel’s strawberries, etc.). In the fall, we will be selling our own apples! If you're a regular at our store, you already know about our famous molasses cookies!
On Community
Do you provide any of your goods to any local restaurants?
Yes, we do! We love connecting with local restaurants to offer a farm to table experience. We want to highlight locally grown products and support local businesses. Over the years, we have worked with many local businesses and have recently expanded our distribution list to include Doc’s Restaurant and Cleverdale General Store. We deliver a variety of products including lettuce, cucumbers, potatoes, green peppers, green and yellow beans, zucchini and summer squash, to name a few. The delivery orders change every week depending on harvest times and restaurant needs.
On the Future
What’s next at the farm?
We are always looking to expand and better our farm. We are planning to build a asparagus, rhubarb and strawberry plot for our customers to enjoy. It would be wonderful for our customers to be able to visit the farm and pick their own berries! We would love to eventually provide greens throughout the year. We hope to grow our customer base, increase our outreach to local restaurants and further expand our production with the addition of another greenhouse. We greatly value our customers and their continuous support!
Hal Bain / Chelsae Gadway
