Blessed with fertile soil and unique geology, the Finger Lakes region is rich with agricultural variety. Local farmers boast some of the best poultry and dairy products in the nation; area orchards grow world-famous New York apples; and the region’s honey and maple syrup are among North America’s finest. Warm summers, over 30 inches of precipitation per year, and the moderating effect of the lakes’ waters, which cool the area in the summer and warm it during winter, make for a lush and lengthy growing season. These microclimates near the lakes provide an ideal home for a variety of crops, particularly American and European grapes, which benefit from soft soil and cool breezes.
In addition to being a premier wine-producing region, the Finger Lakes are a haven for organic farmers devoted to chemical-free and low-intensity agriculture. Benefiting from the area’s natural features, local organic farmers produce high-quality, healthy versions of culinary staples, such as asparagus, wheat, and beef.
For visitors to the region, this horticultural cornucopia is hard to miss–farms and orchards cover the hillsides and valleys, and farm stands line country roads. Vineyards and restaurants offer the best of local ingredients, and in almost every town, weekly farmers’ markets offer samples of the freshest produce. There are plenty of ways to get a taste of the Finger Lakes, but the heart of the region’s beauty and bounty are in the fruits and labor of its agriculture.
Experience Finger Lakes Agriculture:
Visit a vineyard or schedule a wine tour to sample wine made from local grapes.
Contact your local Cooperative Extension office to learn about available farm tours.
Follow the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail to sample regional cheddars, chevres, and more.
Harvest your own produce fresh from the stem at one of the region’s U-Pick Farms.Eat, shop, and chat with local farmers and artists at one of the region’s festive farmers’ markets listed by county below:
Cayuga County
Auburn Farmers’ Market City Hall Parking Lot 24 South St. Tue/Thu/Sat 7am-2pm June 2 – October 29
Moravia Farmers’ Market Kinney Drug lot, 130 Main St. Thursday 10am – 4pm June 9 – October 27
Weedsport Area Farmers’ Market E. Brutus Street Municipal Parking lot 2690 E. Brutus Street, Weedsport, NY Mid May-Late October Wednesdays 3:00-7:00 PM http://weedsportchamber.org/farmersmarket/
Chemung County
Big Flats Community Center, 476 Maple St. Mid June-Late Sept Tuesday 10:30 AM-2:30 PM
Elmira/East Side West Water St. next to Riverview Holiday Inn Mid June- Late Oct Friday 3:00-6:00 PM
Elmira/Grove Park Grove Park, between Walnut St. and Grove St. Early June-Late Oct Monday 4:00-7:00 PM
Elmira/Wisner Park Wisner Park on N. Main St. & W. Church St. Early July-Late Sept Thursday 10:00 AM-2:00 PM http://www.elmiradowntown.com/wisner_market.php
Horseheads Teal Park, 202 South Main St., Horseheads Early June-Late Sept Saturday 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Van Etten- Village office parking lot between Gee (route 34) & Front Streets Mid July-Early Oct Wednesday 3:00-7:00 PM Saturday 9:30 AM-1:00 PM http://www.vanettenfarmersmarket.com/
Ithaca Farmers’ Market @ Dewitt Park Corner of Cayuga & Buffalo Streets Tuesdays: 9 AM-2 PM (May-Oct)
Ithaca Farmers’ Market @ East Hill Plaza Wednesdays: 4:00-7:00 PM (June-Oct)
Lansing Town Hall–29 Auburn Rd. (Rt. 34)Early June-Late Oct Saturday 9:00 AM-12:30 PM
Trumansburg Farmers Market Village Park, Corner of Main Street (Route 96) and Route 227 Wednesdays: 4:00-7:00 PM (May-October) http://tburgfarmersmarket.com/
Wayne County
Clyde Farmers’ Market Village Park May 6 – October 28
Lyons Farmers’ Market Wayne County Courthouse, Church St. Saturday 7:30am-11am June 11 – October 22
Macedon Farmers’ Market 32 Main St. Wednesday 3:30-6:30pm July 13 – October 19
Newark Farmers’ Market Central Park, Church St. & S. Main St. Thursday 2:30pm-6pm June 2 – October 13
Palmyra Farmers’ Market Village Park, E. Main St. (Rt. 31) & Rt. 21 Tuesday 3pm – 6 pm May 3 – November 1
Sodus Farmers’ Market 58 W. Main St. (pkg lot behind church), Off Belden Ave. Wed 2:30pm-6pm Jun 15 – Oct 12
Yates County
Dundee Farmers’ Market Dundee United Methodist Church lot, 43 Water St. Wednesday 3pm-6:30pm June 8 – October 26
The Windmill Farmers’ Market 3900 Route 14A at Hobson Road in Penn Yan Saturday 8am-4:30pm April 30 – December 10
Yates Co. Co-op Farm & Craft Market Main and Elm Sts., on sidewalk, Penn Yan Saturday 7:30am-12 Noon May 21 – October 15
