OrangeCounty FarmersMuseum

09/14/2026

🧶 Ready to learn a gorgeous new crochet technique? Join our upcoming blanket class! 🧶

We are diving into the beautiful Granny Spike Stitch! If you already know how to double crochet, this class is the perfect next step to elevate your skills. If not, we will teach you!

The Granny Spike Stitch creates a stunning, dense texture that looks incredibly intricate but is surprisingly easy to master once you get the rhythm. By pulling specific stitches down into the rows below, you'll create a vibrant, interlocking pattern that looks amazing with multi-colored or variegated yarns.

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced Beginner

What You'll Learn: How to work the spike stitch, manage your row transitions, and perfectly change colors.

What to Bring: Your favorite worsted weight yarn (multi-colored yarn works beautifully for this!) and a matching crochet hook (5mm recommended).

Date & Time: September 26 @ 1PM

Spaces are limited so we can ensure everyone gets plenty of hands-on help.

👇 Secure your spot today at the link below!
https://ocfarmersmuseum.org/event/blanket-crochet-workshop/

What colors are you thinking of using for your blanket?

09/13/2026

Garden Tractors are cancelled for today.

08/28/2026

Step back into 1865 at the Orange County Farmers Museum with the 124th New York State Volunteers, Co. H for the "Veteran in a New Field" event. Post Civil War demonstrations on splitting fence rails, haying fields, blacksmithing and much more.

October 25, 2026 from 1PM - 5PM. Enter on Berea Road.

08/22/2026

Good Morning! The Antique Tractor Pull and Chicken BBQ are cancelled for tomorrow. We will hold our annual Chicken BBQ at the October pull.

Garden Tractors are still running tomorrow.

08/17/2026

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the Board of Directors and volunteers of the Orange County Farmers Museum announce the passing of our beloved President, Frank Cass.

Frank was far more than an organizational leader; Whether he was rolling up his sleeves to work on vintage equipment, assisting in organizing seasonal events, or sharing a warm, unhurried conversation with a first-time visitor, Frank brought an unmatched passion and generosity of spirit to the museum grounds every day.

Frank possessed a rare ability to bridge the past and the future, instilling in young and old alike a deep appreciation for the hands and traditions that built our community. His wisdom, practical resolve, and gentle humor left an enduring mark on everyone fortunate enough to work alongside him.

We extend our deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers to Frank’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. While the loss is immeasurable and his presence on the grounds will be dearly missed, Frank’s legacy is firmly rooted in the museum he loved so deeply.

In his honor, the Orange County Farmers Museum will continue to carry forward the mission, community spirit, and enduring vision he championed so faithfully.

In Loving Memory of Francis “Frank” Morley Cass Jr. May 25, 1963 – August 10, 2026 Francis “Frank” Morley Cass Jr., age 63, of New Windsor, New York, passed away on Monday, August 10, 2026, in Newburgh, New York. Born on May 25, 1963, in Tuxedo, New York, he was the beloved son of the late...

06/20/2026

Garden Tractors are on the schedule for tomorrow, bring dad out for some pulling fun!

Antique Tractors are not pulling tomorrow.

05/22/2026

Hello All, the Jimmy Holbert Memorial Pull that was postponed to May 24, is now postponed to next Sunday, May 31 due to the expected rain.

See you all next weekend!

05/20/2026

It’s World Bee Day! 🐝🌻

Did you know that nearly 1 in 3 bites of food we eat relies on pollinators like bees? From the coffee that wakes you up to the fruits and veggies on your dinner plate, these tiny workers keep our global food systems thriving and our ecosystems beautifully balanced.

Sadly, bee populations are facing steep challenges due to habitat loss and pesticide use. But the good news is, you don’t have to be a professional beekeeper to make a big difference!

Here are 3 easy ways you can help bees today:

Plant native flowers: Turn your garden, backyard, or balcony into a bee paradise with lavender, sunflowers, or wildflowers.

Let your lawn grow a little wild: Dandelions and clover are excellent early food sources for hungry bees.

Support local beekeepers: Buy raw, local honey to help sustain the folks dedicated to protecting hives in your community.

Let's create a buzz for our favorite pollinators! Drop a 🐝 or a flower emoji in the comments to show your appreciation, and share this post to spread the word! 👇

05/06/2026

Orchard Innovation

Orange County isn’t just about onions and milk—our orchards have their own mechanical history! 🍎🚜

Early orchard tractors had to be "Low Profile." Farmers needed machines that could duck under heavy apple branches without bruising the fruit or snagging the trees. This led to the "Orchard Shield" designs of the mid-20th century—tractors that looked more like streamlined spaceships than farm tools.

Today, we use precision sprayers and mechanical harvesters, but the goal remains the same: bringing the best of the Hudson Valley to your table.

✨ Favorite OCNY Orchard? Tag them below! 🍏

05/02/2026

The Evolution Timeline...

The evolution of power on the Orange County farm: a 100-year speedrun. ⏱️🌾

1️⃣ Pre-1900: Hand tools, oxen, and "The Walking Plow."
2️⃣ 1910s: Heavy steam traction engines (mostly for belt work).
3️⃣ 1920s: The "General Purpose" tractor arrives. The Fordson dominates OCNY fields.
4️⃣ 1940s: Post-WWII boom. Hydraulics allow for "Live Lift"—no more wrestling with manual levers!
5️⃣ Today: Climate-controlled cabs, 300+ HP, and autonomous steering.

From the mucklands to the orchards, OCNY farmers have always been at the cutting edge.