Photo by IronGlass Productions
Saratoga PLAN’s annual farm tour connected visitors with local farmers while raising support for farmland conservation across the region.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., June 25, 2026 – More than 150 people participated in this year’s Saratoga Farm Showcase, organized by local conservation nonprofit Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature). The June 20 event highlighted 12 farms and agricultural businesses in northeastern Saratoga County through a self-guided tour featuring behind-the-scenes farm tours, animal interactions, hands-on activities and opportunities to purchase fresh, local products directly from farmers.
Participating farms and businesses, representing a diversity of farm operations and products, included Old Saratoga Mercantile, Roots Farm, Greenfields Forever, The Day Dream Farmer, Promised Land Farm Garden, Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, Woodland Meadow Farm, The Gardeners Inc., King Brothers Dairy, Canopy of Saratoga, Olde Saratoga Home & Garden, Schuyler Farms and Dancing Grain Farm Brewery.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people who came out to support local farms and farmers,” said Elaine Gerber of Woodland Meadow Farm. “People had a lot of questions about our alpacas and how we use their fiber to make yarn, socks and other products. It was great to see so many folks excited to learn more.”
Participants were able to create their own itineraries, spending as much time as they wished at each stop. The event served as both a celebration of local agriculture and a fundraiser for Saratoga PLAN, an accredited land trust that has protected more than 14,000 acres across the Saratoga region, including agricultural land on more than 30 working farms.
“We were excited to welcome a number of new faces here at our farm store and dispensary, both located on our farm,” said Christina Myers of Old Saratoga Mercantile. “We are unique on the vegetable side because we grow produce all 12 months of the year, something that people sometimes don’t fully understand until they see the operation in real life. As for our cannabis license, we are one of just a handful of cultivators in the state that also sell products right on the farm. It was educational for guests and a joy for us to meet so many new people and share our passion for sustainable, environmentally responsible farming.”
The showcase concluded with an after-party at Dancing Grain Farm Brewery. The field-to-glass brewery welcomed attendees with live music by Rusticator and opened its newly constructed event barn for the celebration. Guests also had the opportunity to connect with representatives from several community organizations, including Saratoga County Farm Bureau, Comfort Food Community, Taste NY, Grassland Bird Trust, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Toga Nola and Home Earth Alliance.
Proceeds from the event support Saratoga PLAN’s continued efforts to conserve farmland, natural areas and community connections throughout the region.
The 2027 Saratoga Farm Showcase will feature farms in the towns of Stillwater and Malta, as well as the city of Saratoga Springs. Farmers interested in participating in next year’s event can contact Michelle Culbert at michellec@saratogaplan.org.
Special thanks to Apple Orchard sponsors Saratoga County Board of Supervisors and Stewart’s Shops for supporting this year’s event.