In addition to the date-specific events below, fall is also a great season for a visit to a local farmers’ market. In addition, you can pick your own apples (a huge crop is forecasted this year!), as well as fall raspberries and vegetables that you may want to freeze or can for the winter. These are good hands-on activities for families, as they are fun for children and teach them about where food comes from and how it grows. 

AUGUST

8/19-25 – Washington County Fair, Greenwich, NY

8/28-9/2 – Schaghticoke Fair, Schaghticoke, NY (Rensselaer County)

SEPTEMBER

All month – Locavore Challenge. Are you eating local? Choose your challenges and peek at what others are choosing—that focus on consuming local food (build a root cellar, shop at a farmers’ market, go foraging, etc.). Register today to get tips and news about the Challenge during the month of September! 

9/6-9/8 – Saratoga Wine & Food Festival at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, including wine and food exhibitors, seminars, and the “grand tasting.”

9/7 and 9/8 – Cheese Tour in Washington County, running 10-4 each day. Six creative farmstead cheese makers in Washington County will open their farms to the public. On a self-guided tour, visitors will drive through beautiful countryside using a special cheese-lover's passport and map. Three farms from Saratoga Farmers’ Market participate in this tour: Argyle Cheese Farmer; Homestead Artisans at Longview Farm; and Sweet Spring Farm. Other farms include 3-Corner Field Farm, Consider Bardwell Farm, and Sugarloaf Farm.

9/9 – Canning Salsa class by Cornell Cooperative Extension, part of CCE’s hands-on food preservation series. This class will cover the basics of canning in a boiling water bath, including equipment needed. A booklet of salsa recipes specifically for canning will be provided. Participants will take a jar of salsa home. Held on Monday, September 9, 6-8:30 p.m. in Ballston Spa. For more information and to register call (518) 885-8995.

9/19 – Feast of the Fields at Saratoga National Golf Club, 5:45-8:30 p.m. Join Saratoga P.L.A.N. as it celebrates the conservation heroes in the area, while enjoying local foods from local farms and producers, all prepared by some of the top chefs in the region. 

9/21 – Farm Aid at Saratoga Performing Arts Center! As the website says, “28 years of great music, supporting farmers, and strengthening America.” 

9/25 - Making Jam, Jelly & Fruit Butter class by Cornell Cooperative Extension. Participants will use fresh fruit to make jam, jelly and apple butter. Learn the art and science (interplay of fruit, acid, pectin and sugar) of making jellied products. Participants will take home a jar of jam or jelly. Held on Wednesday, September 25, 6:00-8:30 p.m. in Ballston Spa. For more information and to register call (518) 885-8995.