Timeline
Wagon Wheel Farm
Wagon Wheel Farm manages 163 acres of farmland in Goshen, NY, helping to preserve the bucolic rural character at the heart of Orange County. Directly from our fields, we are growers of Fresh Market Produce, Pumpkins, Squash, Gourds, Corn, Vegetables, Sunflowers, Hay, Straw, and Cage-free Eggs.
2015
USDA-NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program
In 2015, we partnered with the USDA-NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program which allowed us to develop the initial infrastructure for Wagon Wheel Farm. Since that time, every element of our business planning balances our Business Growth with Environmental Sustainability, because without the Earth, we are nothing.
Our business principally started with six Laying Hens in 2015. Since that time, our flock has grown to over 100 laying hens offering both brown and white eggs. Our cartons are characterized by the “Locally Laid” label with fun facts about chickens and eggs on each carton. “Did you know Brown Eggs usually cost more only because brown chickens are larger and cost more to feed? The brown and white eggs are nutritionally identical!”
2016
Addition of Pumpkins and Fall crops
Pumpkins and our fall crops entered the scene in 2016. In addition to pumpkins, we added gourds, Indian Corn, and Mums. We have a lot of experience growing pumpkins in prior years which has proved to be a good niche for us yet again. Businesses, families, church groups, schools and wedding venues are just a few of the markets we proudly serve.
2017
Expansion to include Hay and Straw Crops
In 2017, we expanded our farm to include Hay and Straw Crops. Several idle fields were returned to cultivation, with a prescribed no-till soil conservation and crop rotation plan that maximizes our Integrated Pest Management goals. Fields in cultivation are regularly seeded with a winter cover crop.
2018
Construction of our High Tunnel Greenhouse
Construction of our High Tunnel Greenhouse commenced in January 2018, and we began expanding to offer a full line of fresh picked field and greenhouse produce. Unlike a conventional greenhouse, a High Tunnel expands our season to allow us to grow in the native soil just as you would in a field from March through November without the need to heat the structure. Our products are marketed directly at the Farm Stand on Sarah Wells Trail and local Farmers Markets. Tomatoes, Sweet Corn and Lettuce are our major field and greenhouse vegetable crops. Our surplus is distributed through wholesalers to ShopRite and Hannaford. Your ShopRite sweet corn may have come from Wagon Wheel Farm.
In June 2018, Wagon Wheel Farm became the first of three farms in Orange County to be awarded an Empire State Development grant. This unique opportunity is awarded to farms that are expanding agricultural production, diversifying agricultural production and/or extending the agricultural season; and/or advancing innovative techniques that increase sustainable agricultural production practices such as organic farming, food safety, reduction of farm waste and/or water use.
Our goal is to provide top quality local agricultural commodities as if you picked it from your own backyard, raised as if you raised it, with the comfort and knowledge that allows you to sit back and enjoy knowing where it came from.