ORIGIN: Chaseholm Farm is a 350 acre farm named after the…read moreChase family, who have managed and lived on the land for three generations. The farm's name, coined by dentist and farmer Dr. Kenneth Fulton Chase, integrates the old European word Holm, which refers to a small island. CONCEPT: During an afternoon pasture walk organized by Slow Foods Hudson Valley, I learned about how Chaseholm Farm is managed with an eye towards sustainability and thoughtful ecological management. The talk was led by Sarah Chase, who to her family's surprise returned from college eager to continue a career at her family's dairy farm. She does so with emerging research at the forefront. Counter to long held notions about the damaging environmental impacts of ruminants, researchers are beginning to see evidence that domestic ruminant livestock can help produce higher soil cover, which in turn can reduce soil erosion and increase carbon sequestration. Sarah is actively looking to improve her family's farmland by rotating the herd's use of pastures, and allowing the dairy herd to exclusively feed on the grasses that naturally grow there. Besides the ecological benefits, the approach is more cost effective. EXPERIENCE: Of many things that make Chaseholm Farm stand out is that it is one of few dairies that produce both milk and cheese on site. Rory Chase, a third generation dairy farmer, leads this effort. The informative pasture walk began with a tasting of several cheeses produced at the farm, and ended with a visit to the farm store. Chaseholm Farm dairy products are available beyond this shop -- pick up locations across the Hudson Valley and neighboring Litchfield Hills can be found on the farm's website.

ORIGIN: Coltsfoot Farm was established in 1885 by John…read moreCalhoun, and served as a dairy farm for one hundred years. The property has been recently revitalized and is known as Coltsfoot Valley Farm. LOCATION: The farm is located in a picturesque valley in Cornwall, Connecticut. CONCEPT: Currently led by Tommy Eucalito, who pursued alpine cheese-making training, the farm has returned to its dairy roots with a focus on producing cheeses, as well as hosting community events. EXPERIENCE: The farm periodically hosts cheese-making classes, cheese sales, farm-to-table dinners, and Plein Air painting. TIPS: Check the farm's website and Instagram for upcoming events. Open to public only during events or by appointment.

The way food was meant to taste! From beets to radish. Fennel to arugula. Cherry tomatoes, sprouts…read moreand carrots. Potatoes, bok choy and cabbage. This farm stand has some of the best produce! This cute little farm stand is family owned and operated. It's self serve and based on the honors system. Cash and venmo are accepted and instructions on how to pay are right on the table. No lie. I wasn't ready for the freshness! As soon as we got home we snacked on the crunchiest snap peas EVER. The radish were crispy and spicy. Broccolini risotto exploded with flavor (we cooked this at home). The colorful heirloom tomatoes had so much juice and flavor. Like a REAL tomato. Absolutely in love with this organic farm stand and how fresh everything is. Expect to come in and not find the exact things you got last time since they pick what's seasonal and ready. Love the variety and the burst of flavor from everything that's grown here. A new favorite gem!

Great Farm with outstanding produce. Small farm with organic produce and a great CSA program…read moreserving towns at farmers markets throughout Ct.

Great wood ,great price, nice guy Joe has a very large…read moreselection of firewood and if you have a truck he has the wood at a very reasonable price

Really great fun place! Roadside hidden treasure . Donuts are delicious and everything is literally…read morefresh! Nice on a summer day to see and feed the coy fish with a nature walk. Nice owner! Donut bus was very cool and unique! Deff check them out!

ORIGIN: The Maywood Estate, built in the 1990s, is the…read moreprivate residence of Peter May, a private equity investor, and wife Leni. LOCATION: Maywood Estate is positioned atop a hill with a view of the surrounding Litchfield Hills. EXPERIENCE: I visited the Maywood Estate as part of a fundraising event organized by Trade Secrets. In its 24th year, Trade Secrets is an annual weekend-long spring event in which Saturday is devoted to tours of inspiring gardens, followed by a Sunday of gathering resources to enhance participants' home gardens. The fundraiser supports Project Sage, a nonprofit dedicated to helping women who have experienced domestic violence. Environmentally sound practices are applied on the forty acre estate and my seeing a variety of birds and insects during my short visit may be attributed to this effort. There is something of interest positioned at every turn... a pool, sunken perennial garden, a modern neoclassical home, greenhouse, sunroom, and barn. TIP: Maywood Estate products include wine and produce. See their website site for locations, which include the Bridgewater Village Store. Maywood Estate is a private residence but opens periodically to others during fundraisers, including the Garden Conservancy. Look out for opportunities to visit yourself.

A maple mecca in Dutchess County! This seasonal destination rocks. During sugaring season (Feb…read morethrough early April), The Cronin Family pulls out all the maple stops. Maple Weekend brings sugaring demos and tours, a sweet little petting zoo for the kids, wood sculpture demos, and an awesome pancake breakfast. It's amazing how many delicacies they can create from this glorious sap: syrup, candy, maple peanuts (you'll want to buy at least 2 bags - these are like crack!), maple cream, and maple bourbon (cheers!) too. Enjoy this great local find and don't hog the peanuts! ;)

As new residents of Beacon we are slowly exploring the nearby areas. We decided to check out…read moreCronin's Maple Farm during their maple weekend. It was great that we went early because there wasn't much parking. We went inside for their pancake and bacon breakfast which was awesome- best part.. the maple syrup! They also had tables set up selling their maple products, we bought the syrup and it's already all used up. My boyfriend says he will never use another brand of syrup again after having this one. We got to see wood carving and the maple machinery during the small tour. It was a quick visit but very much enjoyable.

ORIGIN: The Hollister House was built in the late 18th…read morecentury for Preston Hollister by his father Gideon, a local entrepreneur. The Hollister family resided in the home for generations, and continued having a prominent role in the community. The house is currently owned and maintained by tenant George Schoellkopf and a nonprofit-- Hollister House Garden. LOCATION: The house and garden are located on 25 acres in rural Washington, Connecticut. EXPERIENCE: George Schoellkopf purchased Hollister House and began transforming its landscape in 1979. The garden, which is open to the public, reflects his unique vision -- a relaxed English Garden. The garden is a great to see, but also to generate ideas for your own garden. Linda Levin, the Visitor Experience Manager, helped me identify some perennials that caught my attention during my most recent visit. A variety of workshops are offered at Hollister House Garden. Recently I participated in a mushroom growing workshop, and left with an oak log that will bloom in the spring. TIPS: Local residents are eligible got a discounted membership rate. With membership comes benefits, such as free admission at gardens across the country. Visiting hours are on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons with a $10 admission fee. Become a member for unlimited admission and emails about what is in bloom.

We were just bowled over by this place. As we strolled through the different layers, it seemed as…read morethough each view was better than the last. Hollister House Garden is an American interpretation of classic English gardens with a mix of the formal and the natural. This is an absolutely spectacular collection of plants and flowers. Created in 1979 by George Schoellkopf, the garden stretches out from a rambling eighteenth-century house. Giant, ten-foot-tall, perfectly sculpted hedges create an architectural structure that helps define a series of "rooms" within the garden, each with its own inspiring style. On our visit, a volunteer guide roamed the site, answering questions and offering suggestions. Their website provides a monthly preview of what's in bloom. We will definitely be back to see what new blossoms await us.