The Daily Dose
The 18 Best Farms to Pick Your Own Fruits in Upstate NY
Having an understanding of where your food comes from is part of a healthy lifestyle. Pick-your-own farms (PYO) and orchards provide the experience and satisfaction of harvesting your own produce and enable you to bring the farm-to-table concept to your home. More importantly, they offer a fun, cost-effective activity the entire family can enjoy.
Pick-Your-Own Tips
A little planning ahead can help you make the most of your PYO trip.
- Always call ahead to confirm that the farm has what you want.
- Take snacks and plenty of water.
- Dress in comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. This goes for shoes, too.
- Practice safe sun (e.g., wear sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses).
- Be aware of farm rules (PYO minimum, no pets, etc.).
- Save money by bringing your own containers. Farms will typically weigh them, place a sticker on them, and deduct the weight of the containers from the weight of the crops.
Where to Go, What to Pick
To help you navigate the PYO world, CDPHP® compiled the following list of local farms and orchards that offer this unique opportunity, as well as a guide to which fruits and veggies are available when and some seasonal recipes you can make with your newly acquired bounty. Please note that this list is not comprehensive. For a better idea of what each location offers, visit their website.
The month of June is when the upstate New York growing season really gets underway. Look for strawberries, rhubarbs, cherries, and snap peas, among other delicacies.
| Featured Farm | Featured Crop | County |
| Altamont Orchards | Strawberries | Albany |
| Samascott Orchards | Rhubarb | Columbia |
| Prospect Hill Orchards | Cherries | Ulster |
| Kelder’s Farm | Snap Peas | Ulster |
| Sand Flats Orchard | Strawberries | Montgomery |
| Buhrmaster Family Farms | Strawberries | Schenectady |
Featured Recipes: Strawberries and Cream, Cherry-Walnut Tart, Rhubarb Applesauce
Nothing says summer like ripe, fresh tomatoes. Raspberries and blackberries are also at their prime. Pie, anyone?
| Featured Farm | Featured Crop | County |
| Hurds Family Farm | Raspberries | Ulster |
| Bowman Orchards | Blackberries | Saratoga |
| Dubois Farms | Tomatoes | Columbia |
| Cashin's Farm | Raspberries | Montgomery |
Featured Recipe: Raspberry & Kale Smoothie
Blueberries and sweet corn – two more summer essentials that you can find throughout New York state. Round out your August harvest with cucumbers and pears.
| Featured Farm | Featured Crop | County |
| Kelder’s Farm | Cucumbers | Ulster |
| Indian Ladder Farms | Blueberries | Albany |
| Meadowlark Farm | Blueberries | Fulton |
| Dubois Farms | Pears | Columbia |
| Bohringer' Fruit Farm | Sweet Corn | Schoharie |
Featured Recipes: Lemon-Tarragon Grilled Corn, Blueberry-Apricot Shake
Apples – practically synonymous with New York state – are ready for the picking starting in September. You can also still find squash and grapes.
| Featured Farm | Featured Crop | County |
| Samascott Orchards | Squash | Columbia |
| Heller’s Farm | Grapes | Columbia |
| Goold Orchards | Apples | Rensselaer |
| Rogers Family Orchards | Apples | Fulton |
Featured Recipes: Baked Cod with Summer Squash, Carrot-Apple Slaw
It’s officially fall, and that means pumpkins and more pumpkins! Several varieties of peppers are also still available.
| Featured Farm | Featured Crop | County |
| Hand Melon Farms | Peppers | Washington |
| Hay Berry Farm | Pumpkins | Rensselaer |
Featured Recipes: Spinach Pasta with Avocado-Pumpkin Seed Pesto, Grilled Asparagus & Peppers with Orange-Balsamic Dressing
Take Your Pic(k)
Calling all shutterbugs/PYO enthusiasts! We invite you to post a photo of your recent PYO trip to your favorite social media outlet and tag CDPHP.
Alexa Kerins About Author
Alexa is the director of marketing communications and helps with planning, writing, and editing alongside her team of talented communications specialists. She is an eternal optimist who likes food, fun exercise classes, traveling, and spending quality time with her husband, family, and friends. You can often find her obsessing over her mini golden doodle and uttering cheesy quotes like “you’re the bee’s knees” and “team work makes the dream work.”
Susan Roth
I am wondering why CDPHP does not post information about the Montgomery and Fulton County areas. We are insured by CDPHP yet we always seem to be excluded from info. Are we not as important as your other clients?
Suzanne Huwe
Hi, Susan. CDPHP is committed to all of its members, and we’re always working to bring you the most up-to-date information that’s available in your community and beyond. You’re correct — there are several pick-your-own farms in Montgomery and Fulton counties. Here are a few:
Meadowlark Farm, Broadalbin – pick-your-own blueberry farm; 518-883-6542
Rogers Family Orchards, Johnstown – pick-your-own apples
Cashin’s Farm, Fultonville – strawberries and raspberries available as pick-your-own
Sand Flats Orchard, Fonda – strawberries and apples available as pick-your-own
If there are others that you love, please share. I am sure our members would love to hear about them! – Suzanne
Suzanne Flansburg
Bohringer’s Fruit Farm 3992 State Route 30 in Middleburgh has pick your own Strawberries in June, July they have Red Raspberries and Blueberries.
Suzanne Huwe
Hi, Suzanne: Thanks for your helpful addition. We hope you have a great picking season! ~ Suzanne
Anita Ripple
Do you have any information for Montgomery or Schenectady Counties?
Thanks
Anita
Suzanne Huwe
Hi, Anita. Thank you for asking. Yes, there are pick-your-own farms in Montgomery and Schenectady counties. For example, Buhrmaster Family Farm, Scotia (strawberries available as pick-your-own). There are also several in the comment above. Do you know of others that you would like to share? We’d love to hear about them! – Suzanne
David Hughes
Love this info about local farms and their produce. I just became a member of Juniper Hill Farm. They partner with a few other farms to provide everything that I need. They’re located off of exit 31 in Wadhams. Presently, they deliver as far south as Glen’s Falls. They’re looking to bring their farm to table amazing food (produce, poultry, ground beef, beef, sausage, eggs, yogurt, etc..) to the Saratoga area.
Have you ever thought about informing your members of local farms that offer shareholding, CSA’s, etc. This healthy philosophy seems to parallel that of yours. Enjoy the day
Suzanne Huwe
Thank you for sharing, David! It sounds like Juniper Hill Farm has lots of great offerings for healthy, locally grown foods. And, thanks for asking about CSAs and shareholding farms. You can check out “A Locavore’s Delight: Your Capital Region Farm-to-Table Guide” and “Winter Farmers’ Markets and Community-Supported Agriculture” for lists of farms in the Capital Region that offer subscription services and CSAs, along with regular farmers’ market locations. Enjoy! ~ Suzanne
Sumedha
What is the best place near Albany NY for apple and berry picking along with animal farm and any activities for toddlers. I want to make it a fun filled day for everyone. Any ideas?
Alexa Kerins
Hi, Sumedha – According to our list, looks like Altamont Orchards or Indian Ladder Farms might be your best bets. Due to likely COVID-19-related restrictions, I’d recommend calling ahead to anywhere you plan on going to make sure they’re open and have the produce you’re looking for. Enjoy!