Celebrate Animals, Plants, & Local Food at Open Farm Day in Madison County

Upstate New York has an incredible agritourism industry. There’s no denying the abundance of pick-your-own flowers, fruits, and veggies; craft beverage production; and other harvests throughout the seasons. And while there are farm activities all year long, the summer truly shines. Many farms across the state open their doors to visitors to teach them ‘how the sausage gets made’ so-to-speak. Animal interactions, cut-your-own flowers, farm tours, farmers markets, and more behind-the-scenes activities are available for visitors. This year, Open Farm Day in Madison County features over 20 local farms inviting guests to experience it all on Saturday, July 26.

It’s important to note that while Open Farm Day is just one day, many of these farms are open to the public for sales, events, and tours on a more regularly basis! Check with each individual farm to see when they are typically open and what events they host.

What is Open Farm Day?

Madison County’s Open Farm Day is the creation of the county’s Cornell Cooperative Extension Madison County. With a focus on education, conservation, and community, Open Farm Day is a chance for the public to go behind-the-scenes of local farms. Dairy farms, flower farms, cattle farms, fruit & vegetable farms, farmers markets and more showcase their processes and products.

Did you know that there are 657 farms in Madison County, with 40% of the county's land dedicated to agriculture? (CCE Madison)

During Open Farm Day, visitors can expect to experience many activities that they don’t normally have available on the farms. Activities include property tours, animal encounters, product sampling, cut-your-own flowers, agricultural demonstrations, and more.

But while we can all enjoy the fun to be had on these farms during Open Farm Day, the message it is sending is so much more important. When you are supporting local farms and farmers, your money stays local, yet goes so much further. Buying your weekly veggies or a bouquet of flowers from a local farm has a much greater economic impact on the family that runs the property than if you spent that money at a national corporation. And on top of all that, it just feels good to support your neighbors and be an active part of your local community.

Notable Activities During Open Farm Day

Watermelon Trebuchet

Visit Our Farm for a delightful display of their trebuchet, lovingly named “Boris”, as they propel watermelons across their property every hour. Visitors can also say hello to the farm animals, enjoy the flower gardens, and learn more about the farm inside the barn.

Mushroom Tea Tasting

Fruit of the Fungi offers a truly unique experience for visitors at their mushroom farm. Visitors can enjoy FREE farm tours (indoor and outdoor) and learn about the art of mushroom farming. Inside there will be sampling of the various mushroom powders and teas that are also available to purchase.

Longhorn Cattle Tour

At Albanese Longhorns, visitors are invited to join tractor rides through the farm’s property to get up-close views of the farm’s famous longhorn cattle.

Spirit Tasting

If the craft beverage scene is your “cup of tea”, there are a few spots participating in Open Farm Day that will whet your palate. Located on a family farm, Madison County Distillery creates a selection of rum, vodka, and gin and a creative collection of craft cocktails using their spirits. Old Home Distillers creates a wide variety of spirits, including whiskey, rum, moonshine, gin, and schnapps, as well as several limited edition flavored varieties. My personal favorite is their Spiced Whiskey, which I used to make an apple pie old-fashioned during my NYS Fair Demo Kitchen demonstration. Lastly, Critz Farms invites visitors to their taproom to taste their hard ciders and ales.

Lavender Demonstrations

Many of the farms, like Farmstead 1868, show demonstrations of how things work on their farms. For the lavender farm, visitors can see their lavender drum sifter and copper still they use to help harvest and distill the flowers. There are also jars of various types of lavender to show guests the varieties available and how they are used (culinary vs. crafts).

New Farms to Visit this Year

Crestview Farm Market

This Amish-owned farm is new to the Open Farm Day trail this year.

Open Farm Day FAQ

How much does it cost to visit Open Farm Day?

Nothing! The farms are open for visitors – but some special experiences may have their own costs. As usual, any items that you purchase at farm stands or in gift shops will have costs.

Is there a map of the locations?

Of course! The map for all of the 2025 participating farms can be found below. Also, you can pick up the Open Farm Day Passport at any of the locations. The passport contains a map as well as information about each of the participating farms and what activities they are offering.

How do I get from one farm to the next?

One of the best parts about Open Farm Day is that you can customize your own itinerary for the day. You choose which stops are important to you and what order you’d like to go. With that said, you need to provide your own transportation between locations. We recommend carpooling with friends or family!

Is Open Farm Day family-friendly?

Yes! The event is designed with families in mind. There are plenty of activities for guests of all ages at the participating farms.

Can I bring my dog?

While there are some locations that may be pet-friendly, most are not. Please keep in mind that these are all working farms with their own animals. So unless you have a registered service animal, please leave your pets at home.

What should I bring with me?

As most of the day’s events will be outdoors, it is important to plan and dress appropriately for the weather. Wear sunscreen and reapply throughout the day. Wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes that you wouldn’t mind getting dirty (depending on how adventurous you are throughout the day). I highly recommend bringing a reusable tote bag and a cooler for any fresh farm products you purchase. (Cheese + hot cars don’t mix!)

What if I’m busy on Open Farm Day? Can I visit the farms another time?

In most cases, yes. Open Farm Day is just a celebration when many of the farms across Madison County have special activities. But most of the farms are open to the public on a more regular schedule. Check with each individual farm to see what their normal opening hours and event schedules look like.

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