For Over 4 Decades
With a history spanning over 40 years, what started as a wholesale private farm located in Poughquag, New York that supplied pumpkins and fruit to the Hudson Valley and beyond from its 175-acre apple orchard and vegetable farm, has turned into a food, live music and family tradition destination that is not to be missed.
It all started with a simple promise.
Barton Orchards is a working farm and orchard spanning 180 acres, proudly family owned and operated for over four decades. It all began in the late 1970s when Bruce and Rose Barton founded the farm as a wholesale apple orchard.
Together with their son, Peter Barton, the enterprise slowly evolved. In the early years, produce was sold in bulk, and local demand was met through wholesale channels and farm stands. One of their first retail touches was The Apple Core, their farm stand on Noxon Road, which allowed their fresh apples to reach visitors more directly.
By the early 1990s, Barton Orchards expanded its offerings and opened its doors to the public as a “pick-your-own” orchard — one of the first in the region to do so. This shift towards agritourism allowed the farm to create deeper connections with visitors and grow into more than just where apples are grown.
Over the years, Barton Orchards has expanded its amenities and experience: adding a market, bakery, taproom, event spaces, and hosting festivals, live music, and community gatherings. The orchard has become a destination for families, friends, and visitors — a place where memories are made, traditions continue, and nature is celebrated.
After Bruce Barton passed away on January 1, 2024, and Rose Barton on May 11, 2024, their legacy lives on through Peter and the continued commitment to the values they instilled: family, hospitality, quality, and community.
“It’s a growing family tradition. Those three words are what we’ve become and what we’re all about.”
Growing Family Traditions
Pete Barton, a lifelong Hudson Valley resident, took over the farm in the 1980’s opening the farm grounds to the public in 1992.
Barton Orchards quickly became the premier Pick-Your-Own farm in the Hudson Valley, with the addition of the General Store and Creamery, Tap Room, live music, farm animals, ‘Bark Park’ dog park and playgrounds it quickly became a global destination.
Tragedy on the Farm
There was a catastrophic fire on Monday, August 22 2022 that destroyed our Midway Melt Panini & Ice Cream Shop and Farm Market buildings.
August 22, 2022 was a devastating day. The farm changed forever as a result of an explosion that occurred during a propane delivery. It’s been a roller coaster since then, but we are rebuilding from the ground up. We couldn’t have travelled this journey without the support of our community, local businesses, friends and family. It truly takes a village.
“The Hudson Valley is such a beautiful place. It’s been a treasure to grow up here and be a business owner. The beauty we have here and on the farm is something I never take for granted.”
Building towards the Future
The farm continues to grow as we offer even more to our local community that we love so much.
Pete received the Business Excellence Award in the category of Agriculture from Think Dutchess Alliance for Business (formerly Dutchess County Economic Development Corp) in November of 2016, as well as the Award of Distinction from Dutchess Tourism in 2022.
Photo courtesy Dutchess Tourism on Facebook
