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Farmer's market is eye in hurricane for change in Philmont
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| Francesca Olsen/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers Fred Laing of White Oak Farm in Hillsdale is no stranger to farmers' markets, but Sunday was his first time at the market in Philmont. Laing made sure everyone in attendance got to try White Oak's low-sugar jam, which is made by his wife in small batches in their kitchen. |
By Francesca Olsen
The Philmont Farmers Market, operated by community organization Philmont Beautification, Inc., has some big plans. The social function and economic showcasing of a farmers’ market ties into a greater vision for the revitalization of the village, as well as the rebirth of community support from the inside out.
The market, on the corner of Main Street (Route 217) and Elm Street in Philmont, runs Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and features a packed parking lot full of vendors selling local cheese, local bread, and of course, local produce.
Philmont Beautification co-founder and Executive Director Sally Baker has assigned themes to each month of the market. August is Back-To-School month, and to commemorate, Baker assembled and gave away 70 backpacks packed full of school supplies, donated by Staples.
“It was really generous...just boxes and boxes,” said Baker, who knows that in dark economic times, community help like this is a bright light. “That’s why we did it,” she said. “Their faces were like...they were so pleased!”
The Philmont Farmers’ Market accepts WIC checks as well as senior citizens’ farmers’ market coupons, available from the county Office of the Aging. The market is also heavily supported by the local community — Philmont Mayor Skip Speed and his wife are regulars at the market, Baker said, and local restaurant owners frequent it for supplies.
This Sunday was Fred Laing’s first day as a vendor at the market. He runs White Oak Farm in Hillsdale and grows primarily sweet corn -- though he and his wife also grow blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes and garlic. Laing’s wife makes small batches of local, low-sugar jam at home in the kitchen, and Laing makes a barbecue sauce with “secret ingredients known only to Cornell, and us.”
Though rain pelted the market on Sunday, which commonly results in low attendance, vendors still did well and Laing said he would be back again for sure. “I understand farmers’ markets,” he said. “There are good days and bad. If you commit to them, you have to be there, regardless of the weather.”
Laing said he’s definitely seen an increase in awareness and interest when it comes to eating and buying local. “Farmers’ markets are the way to go for many, many people. In addition to going to their own regular market. It can become a social function as well.”
The market in Philmont is certainly a social function, with friends embracing, dogs playing together and a true focus on community.
“The farmers’ market really started as a loose conversation: ‘you know, we really need some fresh vegetables here in Philmont,’” said Sebastian Baker, Sally Baker’s son. He runs the stand for Our Daily Bread, a local bread company, and helped organize the market. He was born and raised in Philmont, and returned after working on film production in California for a few years.
“I thought it would be nice to give back to the town I was born and raised in,” he said. “I’ll be here full-time. This is kind of developing into other projects as we’ve started. It’s definitely shedding a little bit of light on this community.
“When I went to school here, all I wanted to do was get out of here,” he said. “This is the last thing I thought I’d be doing.” Sebastian said. Leaving the area was what made him realize what was special about Philmont, about the people of Philmont, about Columbia County, and about supporting his community. “I guess without leaving, I would have never been able to see that,” he said.
Philmont local Bob Mansfield also left and returned to his community, but his ties to the village go back generations. He is buying the Vanderbilt Inn on Main Strret. Mansfield was born in Hudson and lived in Philmont near the Vanderbilt during childhood.
“As far as the hotel goes, my great grandfather owned it, my grandfather owned it, my father was born upstairs in the hotel. It’s always been a dream of mine to own it because of the family history there,” he said.
Mansfield plans to hire a professional chef for the Inn, which is currently open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday. He plans to incorporate local food items as much as possible.
Corinna Selby is a regular vendor at the market. She runs Corinna’s Comestibles, a local, organic wholesale bakery, featuring delectable croissants, scones, and other baked goods, all made from local and organic ingredients. Mansfield said he was planning to incorporate her delicacies onto the menu offerings at the Vanderbilt Inn.
“I came here and I really liked the countryside, and I think organic eating is important and I think high-quality food is important,” said Selby, who uses dairy products from Hawthorne Valley Farm and fruits from Threshold Farm, among others.
Warren and Lenny Collins, of Wild Wood Farm in Kinderhook, were also spending their first day as vendors at the Philmont Farmers’ Market.
“I’ve seen a lot of people I know here, and we don’t even live in Philmont,” said Warren Collins. “This is our first time, but we’ll be coming back again. Despite the weather, it’s been terrific.”
“We’ve gardened and grown for 35 years. This is the first year we decided we’re going to sell things instead of give them away to our friends and neighbors,” said Collins. The Collins offered heirloom tomatoes, exotic cucumbers and more. They also sell eggs, and keep 26 hens on the farm. Collins said she and her husband operate their farm to “indulge our passion.”
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com.
The market, on the corner of Main Street (Route 217) and Elm Street in Philmont, runs Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and features a packed parking lot full of vendors selling local cheese, local bread, and of course, local produce.
Philmont Beautification co-founder and Executive Director Sally Baker has assigned themes to each month of the market. August is Back-To-School month, and to commemorate, Baker assembled and gave away 70 backpacks packed full of school supplies, donated by Staples.
“It was really generous...just boxes and boxes,” said Baker, who knows that in dark economic times, community help like this is a bright light. “That’s why we did it,” she said. “Their faces were like...they were so pleased!”
The Philmont Farmers’ Market accepts WIC checks as well as senior citizens’ farmers’ market coupons, available from the county Office of the Aging. The market is also heavily supported by the local community — Philmont Mayor Skip Speed and his wife are regulars at the market, Baker said, and local restaurant owners frequent it for supplies.
This Sunday was Fred Laing’s first day as a vendor at the market. He runs White Oak Farm in Hillsdale and grows primarily sweet corn -- though he and his wife also grow blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes and garlic. Laing’s wife makes small batches of local, low-sugar jam at home in the kitchen, and Laing makes a barbecue sauce with “secret ingredients known only to Cornell, and us.”
Though rain pelted the market on Sunday, which commonly results in low attendance, vendors still did well and Laing said he would be back again for sure. “I understand farmers’ markets,” he said. “There are good days and bad. If you commit to them, you have to be there, regardless of the weather.”
Laing said he’s definitely seen an increase in awareness and interest when it comes to eating and buying local. “Farmers’ markets are the way to go for many, many people. In addition to going to their own regular market. It can become a social function as well.”
The market in Philmont is certainly a social function, with friends embracing, dogs playing together and a true focus on community.
“The farmers’ market really started as a loose conversation: ‘you know, we really need some fresh vegetables here in Philmont,’” said Sebastian Baker, Sally Baker’s son. He runs the stand for Our Daily Bread, a local bread company, and helped organize the market. He was born and raised in Philmont, and returned after working on film production in California for a few years.
“I thought it would be nice to give back to the town I was born and raised in,” he said. “I’ll be here full-time. This is kind of developing into other projects as we’ve started. It’s definitely shedding a little bit of light on this community.
“When I went to school here, all I wanted to do was get out of here,” he said. “This is the last thing I thought I’d be doing.” Sebastian said. Leaving the area was what made him realize what was special about Philmont, about the people of Philmont, about Columbia County, and about supporting his community. “I guess without leaving, I would have never been able to see that,” he said.
Philmont local Bob Mansfield also left and returned to his community, but his ties to the village go back generations. He is buying the Vanderbilt Inn on Main Strret. Mansfield was born in Hudson and lived in Philmont near the Vanderbilt during childhood.
“As far as the hotel goes, my great grandfather owned it, my grandfather owned it, my father was born upstairs in the hotel. It’s always been a dream of mine to own it because of the family history there,” he said.
Mansfield plans to hire a professional chef for the Inn, which is currently open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday. He plans to incorporate local food items as much as possible.
Corinna Selby is a regular vendor at the market. She runs Corinna’s Comestibles, a local, organic wholesale bakery, featuring delectable croissants, scones, and other baked goods, all made from local and organic ingredients. Mansfield said he was planning to incorporate her delicacies onto the menu offerings at the Vanderbilt Inn.
“I came here and I really liked the countryside, and I think organic eating is important and I think high-quality food is important,” said Selby, who uses dairy products from Hawthorne Valley Farm and fruits from Threshold Farm, among others.
Warren and Lenny Collins, of Wild Wood Farm in Kinderhook, were also spending their first day as vendors at the Philmont Farmers’ Market.
“I’ve seen a lot of people I know here, and we don’t even live in Philmont,” said Warren Collins. “This is our first time, but we’ll be coming back again. Despite the weather, it’s been terrific.”
“We’ve gardened and grown for 35 years. This is the first year we decided we’re going to sell things instead of give them away to our friends and neighbors,” said Collins. The Collins offered heirloom tomatoes, exotic cucumbers and more. They also sell eggs, and keep 26 hens on the farm. Collins said she and her husband operate their farm to “indulge our passion.”
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com.
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