The Orchards of Concklin
Since Nicholas Concklin sought to have the land that he farmed named Pomona after the Roman goddess of fruitful abundance, 11 generations of Concklins have tilled the soil in Rockland County. The Orchards of Concklin is the oldest family business in New York State and the eighth oldest in the country.
by Bill Batson
Nyack Farmers’ Market has doubled down. Locally produced foods and eco-friendly services are now available Thursdays and Saturdays.
Four of the veggie vendors who participate in the Saturday market travel less than 100 miles to bring their fresh farm goods to your table.
“Compare this short distance to the 2,713 miles for an avocado from Mexico, or the 4,261 miles a kiwi fruit travels from Italy,” according to Pam Moskowitz, who manages the market on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce. “How much fuel is used and pollution emitted to get these non-local products to a grocery store?”
From 8a until 2p on Thursdays and from 8a until 1p on Saturdays, residents of Nyack can radically reduce their carbon footprint by shopping in the main municipal parking lot. Local musicians will serenade you, your family will applaud you for the fresh ingredients you bring home and the planet will appreciate your environmental sensitivity.
Over the last three years, Nyack Sketch Log has profiled 8 Farmers’ Market vendors. They range from a family that started cultivating the soil in Rockland before the Revolutionary War, to a recently returned Iraq veteran who raises livestock in New Jersey.
Here is a digital introduction of some of the vendors of the Saturday Farmers’ Market in Nyack. (a complete list is available below)
Pie Lady & Son
Deborah Tyler had 300 pie orders to fill in the Fall of 2001. The single mother of three had converted her one floor rental into a Department of Health approved commercial kitchen. A New York Times review and a Good Morning America segment were bringing in business from both sides of the Hudson River. It was at the height of her notoriety that Deborah sold her equipment and moved to Cooperstown.
Here is the story of how the popularity of their pies once imperiled the Pie Lady and now propels the Pie Lady & Son.
Rockland Farm Alliance
The Rockland Farm Alliance operates a Community Supported Agriculture program from Cropsey Farms Little Tor Road in New City. In addition to providing fresh produce weekly to almost 200 families and supporting other local farms, The RFA supplies local restaurants and health food stores and cooperatives with organic produce including Hudson House, Union Restaurant, Taste of Distinction, and Sweetpea’s Market.
Teagevity
During his journey from Harlem to Martha’s Vineyard to Nyack, Preston Powell has melded a teacup, Karate and a tradition of the African American church from his childhood into his holistic and locally based business, Teagevity.
Green Mountain Energy
Green Mountain Energy was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. The renewable energy
company has been a presence at the Nyack Farmers’ market since the spring of 2012.
X-calibur Knife Sharpening (Thurdays only)
Utilizing a panel truck that doubles as his workshop, Scott Jennings brings knife sharpening services to several neighborhoods, including Nyack at the Thursday Farmers’ Market. A life-long metal worker, Jennings has welded boats and ultralight wheelchairs, and installed ladders that scale 180 foot grain silos. But he’s happiest when grinding the perfect bevel on a dull blade.
RevoluSun
To paraphrase the musical “Annie,” and a report from an April 17 White House energy summit, you can bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there’ll be more solar power in America. From the stock market to the farmers’ market, renewable energy from the sun is gaining in popularity. From a corner storefront in Nyack, Revolusun is providing regional consumers the tools to harness the power of the sun.
Southtown Farms
(Thursdays Only)
During his military service, he saw “a lot of sheepherders in Iraq” with “not very good-looking sheep.” Today, Matt is a first generation livestock farmer, who provides non-GMO, hormone and antibiotic free, grass-fed poultry at the Nyack Farmers’ Market every Thursday.
Nyack Saturday Farmers Market Vendors
[full][half flow=”start”]Acorn Hill Farms – family farmed micro-creamery from a herd of organically raised and managed dairy goats, cheeses, yogurts, and fudge.
Aunt Vicky’s Bickys — homemade gourmet dog treats
Bill Batson Arts, LTD — Nyack cards, prints, tote bags and original art
Blue Lotus Botanicals – skin care products, including soap, whipped shea butter, muscle rub, body powder
Cactus Pete’s Homemade Jerky — Beef Jerky from grass fed beef
Clean Ridge Soap Company — bar soap, liquid soap, shampoo, lotion, soy candles, diffusers, diffuser oil, lip balm
Cropsey Community Farm, a project of Rockland Farm Alliance — biodynamically grown produce, ground flour, dried beans
Gajeski Produce — large variety of seasonal produce
Green Meadow Waldorf School (Sponsor) – Rockland County’s only Waldorf School; located in Chestnut Ridge
Green Mountain Energy Company (Sponsor) – retailer of cleaner energy
Hummingbird Ranch — honey & related products, maple syrup, beeswax products (skin cream, lip balm, candles)[/half]
[half flow=”end”]Jordan Brenner’s Sauces & Spices — maple mango sauce, strawberry sauce, garlic lime sauce, sing splash, spice blend, pretzels
Kiernan Farm — all cuts of grass fed Beef, all cuts of farm-raised pork
The Little Flower Shop of Nyack — flowers
Maria’s Gourmet Edibles, perfect for appetizers or meals, Maria’s stuffed breads are great to serve anytime
Meredith’s Country Bakery — fresh baked pies and breads, quiche, muffins, cookies, brownies, tarts, scones, biscotti
Mostly Myrtle’s Biskookys — gluten free biscotti, muffins cupcakes,graham crackers, brownies; small batch coffee
Nico’s Chimi – Authentic Argentinian Chimichurri Steak
The Orchards of Concklin — fruit, produce, eggs, pies, cookies, honey, seasonal plants
Pie Lady & Son — homemade pies and cookies
R&G Produce — farm fresh produce
Southtown Farms — Organic feed chickens and eggs
Teagevity — organic loose tea, herbs & tea gear
Warwick Valley Winery — wine, hard cider, dessert cordials, liqueur, apple jack spirits[/half] [/full]
An activist, artist and writer, Bill Batson lives in Nyack, NY. Nyack Sketch Log: “Farmers’ Market Doubles Down“ © 2014 Bill Batson. Visit billbatsonarts.com to see more.
