Each Wednesday afternoon at Saratoga Farmers’ Market, Linda Gifford sells eggs, vegetables, fresh flowers and seasonal decorative items. At this time of year, her stand is ablaze with color, with the last of summer’s pink and red zinnias mingling with golden sunflowers, orange pumpkins and multi-colored ornamental corn.
The farm doesn’t attend the Saturday market in Saratoga, since she’s selling up in Glens Falls that day.
“We sell at seven local markets a week, all in towns fairly close to our farm,” she notes.
Gifford and her husband, Bill, and their two grown daughters have a large farm. In addition to the products she brings to Saratoga Farmers’ Market, they also tend to 150 to 200 dairy cows and about 150 chickens.
In addition to the farm’s sale of fresh eggs, “We provide fertile eggs to area schools and organizations that want to watch them hatch,” explains Gifford. The farm’s milk is sold to Agri-Mark, a dairy cooperative.
“We have eight children, six boys and two girls. The girls have chosen to stay on the farm,” notes Gifford. “This is where my husband was raised, so it’s been our family’s farm for a long time. We are the last farm operating in the town of Gansevoort.”
“We have 16 grandchildren (with one more on the way), and three great-grandchildren,” Gifford says. “We’re hoping that some of our grandkids will become farmers too.”
When asked about a favorite recipe, Linda Gifford observes that the farm is a busy place, with lots of family and farm helpers coming and going. Her Cheesy Ham and Potato Chowder is a favorite with everyone. “I never have any left when I make this recipe,” she says with a laugh.
Saratoga Farmers’ Market remains open outside through the end of October at High Rock Park on Wednesdays from three p.m. to six p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
