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The Town of Ancram

by Penny Michels

A recent drive over Winchell Mountain to the farming community of Ancram, in New York’s Columbia County, revealed a wide panorama of fields and pastures just lying in wait for Spring 2013. Miles of horse farms, dairy farms, wide-open vistas of rolling hills and valuable wetlands, lie quietly, colored in subtly monochromatic tones and rendering it almost impossible to detect the fever of activity currently going on at the heart of this community.

Spring has come to Ancram and its residents are already fully engaged with the births of farm animals - chicks, lambs, calves, and colts are but a few. In addition, acres of land are being turned and a plethora of seed varieties are being sown in preparation for the vibrant and colorful patchwork of fruit, vegetables and grains that have made these farms synonymous with quality food from the Berkshires. The Ancram Agricultural Advisory Council and the Columbia Land Conservancy have worked tirelessly over the last few years to revitalize this self-described, “Historic Farming Community Moving Forward”, to showcase and revitalize the beautiful and productive landscapes, extending well beyond every horizon.

The First Annual Ancram Farm Tour, held in September last year, proved a rousing hit with over 300 visitors. While visits to dairy farms like nearby Ronnybrook, its creamy Kids’ Station, Toll Gate Farm and Chaseholm Farm Creamery (where they make Amazing Real Live Cheese) filled participants with rich and tasty treats. The folks at Hillrock Estate Distillery provided tastings, tours and and whatever extra kick was necessary for folks to complete the 8-farm tour. Herondale Farm, Cricket Hill Farm and The Horse Institute were also on view that day, devoted to the true essence of farming in the Berkshires.

For links, maps, and details for the upcoming 2013 Ancram Farm Tour, visit townofancram.org.

There you will also find a link to the Ancram Town News and some lively reports of conservation and wildlife management projects currently underway.

And, of course, you need only click through the BerkshireStyle.com Ancram link to find spots for good food, great design and merchants to make your sojourn worthwhile.<a href="http://berkshirestyle.com/towns/ancram.html "_new">berkshirestyle.com/towns/ancram

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