Roe's Orchards

 

A family farm for over 100 years located at

3278 Route 94, Chester, NY 10918

 

Roe's Orchards is a New York State Century Farm, meaning it has been farmed continuously by the same family for over 100 years.  The farm is now owned and operated by the 5^th and 6^th generation of the Roe family, Mark Roe and oldest son Tom Roe.

 

The farm was purchased in 1827 by Mark's great-great uncle.  Like many farms of that period, the farm consisted of a few cows, chickens, pigs, and a small orchard.  By the 1950's the farm focused on the orchard and the growing of fruit.

 

In the 1960's the Roes saw the need to enter the retail market in a bigger way at their farm store.  They started growing a variety of vegetables and added a cider mill.  The business grew, with the population, and a renewed enthusiasm for locally grown fruits and vegetables.  The farm store opens in late July with peaches and home grown vegetables.  The season progresses with a good variety of apples, pears, plums, fresh-pressed cider, and homemade apple pies.  The season lasts into the winter.

 

Grandchildren are often seen helping out at the farm store.  Hopefully there will be a 7th generation operating this Chester family farm.