Our History:
The history of Saunderskill Farms (named for the tributary of the Rondout Creek that flows through it), is as rich as the soil that has supported it for 12 generations. Originally granted to Lieutenant Hendrick J. Schoonmaker by Peter Stuyvesant in 1663 as payment for military service, the family’s original 300 acres of prime Rondout bottomland has been continuously farmed since 1680.
Saunderskill Farms is one of the few farms in the nation to have received the rare “Tricentennial Award” from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We are proud of our heritage and work diligently to preserve our lifestyle for many future generations of “Schoonmakers”.
With eleven generations of ownership and the the next generation now contributing to its’ success, Saunderskill Farms focuses on producing high quality flowers, fruits & vegetables while remaining good stewards of the land. Great grandparents, Jack & Alice still reside on the home farm. Sons, Dan & David, are actively involved in the growing & harvesting of produce for our market as well as for wholesale accounts. Dan, along with wife Cathy, have been managing the farm market for the last two decades. Today, we are proud to have Dan & Cathy’s daughter, Jennifer and husband, Ryan, (along with daughter’s Elouise, Claudia & Lauren) taking on ownership and management of the farm market. Dan & Cathy’s younger daughter, Renee, has a full time job with New York Farm Bureau, but when she isn’t networking with other farmers, she helps out whenever and wherever she is needed. You don’t have to look too far to see a member of the family.
