Tracking the Present
From Alpaca to Sweater: HV Fiber Farming
Sheep and goats are classic Hudson Valley grazers, and in the past few years, a handful of regional farmers have added adorable llamas and alpacas, too. These South American natives, members of the camelid family, are not only lovable, but...
Quiz: Do You Know Fall’s Most Vibrant Leaves?
The Hudson Valley is famous for its fall foliage, best seen across rolling hills, apple orchards, and riverside mountains. Everyone loves taking it all in from a panoramic view, of course. But a great way to deepen your appreciation for...
#WildlifeLove: Eight Ways Skunks Might Surprise You
It turns out skunks do a lot more than create a big stink. Here’s the shocker: They often help humans smell better, by yes, contributing to your fancy perfume. Here are some amazing reasons why these little stinkers deserve more...
The Apples of Your Ancestors’ Daydreams
Centuries-old apple varieties that were almost pushed out by industrialization have started to get popular again in the Hudson Valley as farmers and cider makers recover more robust, flavorful fruits. While loads of Gala or Honeycrisp may pop to mind...
Valley Hemp Farming: High Potential, With Some Pitfalls
When Congress moved to legalize industrial hemp farming late in 2018, there were cheers all around. Sen. Mitch McConnell, then the Republican Senate majority leader from Kentucky, called hemp farming “a bright spot of agriculture’s future.” “Now,” said Sen. Ron...
Supporting Local Ag’s ‘Bloom Boom’
When the husband-and-wife team of Jenny Elliott and Luke Franco started their farm in 2011, the organic food movement was just blossoming. They grew veggies. But within a few years they found a niche in flowers — just as the...
Five Winning Valley Spots to Take a Dip
If ever there were a summer to make a splash, this is it. From the Outdoor Adventures section of our website, we’ve chosen five spots for chilling out that are less likely to overload our natural resources. And to make the fun...
Rounding Up Family and Friends to Monitor Eels
Growing up in Queens, I never once thought, “I’d like to study eels one day,” but in early 2020 my teenage son was looking for volunteer opportunities. When I heard about the eel monitoring that Scenic Hudson collaborates on with...