Zarpentine Farms, located at 163 Burritt Road, Hilton resides on 98 acres of land which holds almost 200 years of family farming history. Owner Ron Zarpentine has been working on the farm for over 50 years, “It’s in my heart and in my blood. My dad put me on a tractor at three years old,” Ron says, “And I still just love it.”
The Original Zarpentine Farm Market is open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., selling the freshest in-season fruits and vegetables, baked goods, maple syrup and honey. Apples, pears, cabbage, tomatoes, several varieties of squash, cucumbers, red and white potatoes, onions, sweet corn, peppers fill the shelves this fall season. “We sell what we grow, 95 percent of the produce we sell on this farm we grow on this farm to support our family farm,” Ron says.
Apples and fresh-pressed sweet apple cider are fall favorites at Zarpentines. Starting in early September, and available as they ripen, 18 varieties of A#1 fancy apples are featured at prices starting at less than 40¢ a pound when purchased by the bushel.
“We are open all year round and have apples available through the winter months because we have our own cold storage right here on the farm,” Ron Zarpentine says.
Often, even from the parking lot, shoppers can smell the tantalizing aroma of baking specialties being prepared on-site, such as Original Zarpentine Farm’s famous Apple Fritters that are available glazed, cinnamon and plain. “The Apple Fritters are what many people come to our bakery for. Customers tell me they are so tasty and that the full flavor of the apples comes through. It is true we use lots of fresh, diced apples in our fritters,” Ron says.
The bakery is also known for its fry cakes available plain, cinnamon sugar, marble glaze, regular glazed, chocolate and chocolate sugar varieties, and they have 16 varieties of fresh baked pies to choose — several variations of apple, as well as peach, cherry, pecan, pumpkin.
Many people know about the Original Zarpentine Farm because they have traveled the Corn Maize. This fun fall activity celebrates its 15th anniversary this year and is designed over 20 acres with seven miles of walking trails. A dozen or so helpers and security guards are stationed around the maze trails there to guide visitors with directions, assist if a quick exit is needed, answer general questions, and participate in token finding competition that visitors can compete in during their walk through the corn rows. A prize is awarded upon completion.
This year’s Zarpentine Corn Maize design is Pac-Man. “We have a 40 x 50 ft. ticket booth where people can enjoy some refreshments, sit, relax, have some food and a beverage and just enjoy the farm while they wait for others to complete the maze. We also have some retro video games for visitors to play. We have Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man and Donkey Kong,” Ron says.
Zarpentine’s also has a corn box where kids six years old and under can play, as well as a playground with slides and swings for young families to enjoy. They have a Corn Cannon where visitors compete to shoot an ear of corn over 500 ft. to try to get it into a barrel. Prizes include $5 for getting the ear of corn into the large barrel and a $50 prize for the small barrel.
Ron is the host for Zarpentine’s Wagon Ride Tour, which is 25-30 minute excursion across the entire farm. Ron tells the history of the farm and points out the interesting aspects of life on a family farm across the years. A visit to the maple grove where they tap the trees in the spring to produce their own maple syrup is included in the ride. “We do our wagon rides during daylight hours only. We aren’t out to scare anybody; we are a family friendly farm. People ask me if I ever stop talking, I laugh and tell them ‘no.’ I just love to share the history of our farm and what I know about farming,” Ron says.
The Wagon Ride Farm Tour is available on Saturdays from 11a.m. to sundown and on Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are no wagon tours on Fridays.
Zarpentine’s Famous Corn Maize opened for the season on Friday, September 18. Maize hours are Fridays 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturdays 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays 11a.m. to 5 p.m.
After January 1, 2016, watch for the return of Zarpentine Farms famous “All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast,” where they will celebrate their 11th year of serving an Old Fashioned, Homemade Breakfast to families and friends.
For information about the Original Zarpentine Farms call 392-3611 or visit www.zarpentinefarmsny.com.
