Robb Farms has been a fixture on Gallup Road in Ogden since 1912 and recently those one hundred years plus were recognized by the New York State Agricultural Society with a Century Farm Award.
The Robb family was one of only two Century Farm families honored as part of the 182nd Annual Agricultural Forum of the NYS Agricultural Society January 9 in Syracuse.
Officials say the Society award honors families dedicated to farming, stewardship and community involvement which have been in continuous family ownership and operation for over 100 years.
The Robb family received a proclamation signed by NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo as well as an exterior farm sign. The award is sponsored by Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement.
“It was a special day for us,” Margie Robb says of receiving the award.
She says the farm’s longevity is due to good business practices.
“You have to be a good business person,” Margie explains of farming. “You have to be good at math … you have to be ambitious … you have to be checking markets everyday on the computer.”
It’s also important to be sensitive to the needs of local consumers and to offer the highest quality, freshest product, she says. “We try to keep reinventing ourselves to what people want,” Margie explains.
For example, the farm began a CSA program this past season and sixty families signed up. “People want to know where their food was grown and how it was grown,” she notes. Saskatoon berries have also been added to Robb’s offerings, the only site in the county with availability, and a new spray barn is being added in order to make the operation G.A.P. certified.
Here is a brief history of the farm:
•Robb Farms was established April 1, 1912, by George Robb, Sr., the son of German immigrants. He purchased the farm, which initially consisted of about 124 acres, from the King brothers. The acreage was initially planted with apples, sweet and sour cherries and peaches. The farm also raised beef cattle and grew potatoes.
•George Robb, Jr. purchased the farm in the 1930s and, in 1966, ownership was transferred to Earl Robb. The current owners – Randy and Margie Robb, took over in 1981.
•Today, the farm’s production base exceeds 500 acres. Margie runs the farm market and manages the “garden” which supplies the market and additional markets. Their daughter, Tracy, manages the CSA and Randy manages field crops, livestock, fruit and machinery. Margie and Randy’s niece, Caity, oversees the website, Facebook and offsite market sales.
“We’re looking forward to having the next generation work along with us and eventually take over for us,” Margie says.
The farm market is open seasonally from July to November and offers in-season fruit and vegetables. Cider is pressed at the farm and the market makes its own doughnuts.
“Come out and see us during the growing season,” Margie says. Robb Farms is located at 800 Gallup Road off of Route 31.
