Stone Barns Center

Entering the last few weeks of summer is an exciting and exhausting time.  Vacation schedules have settled down and it is now easier to schedule a much needed play date with friends.  Throwing ideas into a hat landed us at Stone Barns Center one gorgeous summer morning.  Having never been, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was in for a surprise.

Stone Barns Center is located in Pocantico Hills in Westchester County.  Beginning in the 1990’s, the center is a collaboration of the Rockefeller family, conservation planners and organic farmers.  In 2003, thanks to the generous donation of the Rockefeller family, a former 1930’s dairy operation consisting of 80 acres of land and buildings was restored and dedicated to Peggy Rockefeller.  Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture was born and its mission is clear the moment you step onto the property.

Stone Barns is a nonprofit group with clearly laid out goals:  experimentation with sustainable farming, to train beginning farmers, educate children on the sources of their food and increase public awareness of sustainability.   To help meet this goals, Stone Barns offers a variety of workshops and programs appropriate for all ages but geared towards those under 35.

We visited on a weekday when access to the center is free of charge (the center is closed Monday and Tuesday).  Since we drove up from Lower Westchester, it was hard to believe we were so close to home.  The rolling hills of Stone Barns is simply breathtaking.  Nestled back from the road are the buildings of the old dairy farm.  We had fun exploring the grounds and decided to take one of the trails through the property.

Since it was very warm and muggy when we went, most of the animals were trying to catch a break in the shade.  But it was perfect weather for wearing 7 children 6 and under out.  The kids had fun running, finding acorns and visiting with the local artists who were painting the beautiful scenery.  We enjoyed our lunch outside their cafe and then checked out the Titanium Bell.

Stone Barns is vast and we didn’t get to visit all of what it has to offer.  I think an autumn trip would be a great time to visit.  I can’t imagine how gorgeous the property will be with the changing of the leaves.  Also, I will be utilizing their app to help with navigation around the center; we missed a lot trying to self navigate.

More information about Stone Barns Center and their work can be found at:  Stone Barns Center, Facebook, Twitter