If you're looking for farm produce and fresh goods and can get yourself over to one of Westchester's oldest working farms, consider dropping by the historic Hemlock Hill Farm, located off Croton Avenue. While visiting Hemlock, feel free to walk around the 120-acre farm. You'll feel like you've stepped back in time as you enjoy the view: pristine rolling hills, hemlock trees, grazing sheep, cattle, goats, chickens and pigs, amidst picturesque barns and an original farmhouse. Even the farm store, located just up the property driveway, has that old-world appeal. Such is the beauty and rarity of this farm that to protect it, Yorktown and Cortlandt contributed $700,000, in addition to a $1.5 million dollar donation from New York State. The Westchester Land Trust helped prepare the application for the state farmland protection grant to preserve the site forever. The farm, which occupies both Yorktown and Cortlandt Manor townships, is owned by the De Maria family and has been in operation since 1939. Hemlock Hill sells pasture-raised, natural animal products, as well as organic produce and fresh goodies. The DeMaria's sincerely strive to maintain and preserve what is left of family farming in the Hudson Valley area and keep the farm's doors open to customers throughout the year, seven days a week.
