This fall people are flocking to nearby small farms to get their Thanksgiving turkeys. Avoiding factory-farmed birds, which are dosed with antibiotics and hormones, is clearly better for our health, and it’s a better life for the birds too. Not to mention, shopping local is good for our community.

Stone Barns in Tarrytown has already sold out of turkeys, and Glynwood Farm in Cold Spring anticipates selling out by November 1. But we found four nearby farms that will be taking orders until Thanksgiving week.

 

Fishkill Farms, Hopewell Junction

Fishkill Farms is taking orders for its turkeys from the first week of November through the week before Thanksgiving.

“We source our turkeys locally from Pick of the Pasture Farm, located in Greenwich, New York,” says Katie Ross, marketing communications manager for Fishkill Farms. “Much like our chickens, these turkeys are pasture raised and live in mobile coops that are moved around so they can enjoy pecking and foraging at new pieces of land. The pasture mix consists of clover, alfalfa, timothy and orchard grass, which provides an excellent diet high in protein for helping them grow.” Orders should be placed online through the farm’s website.

The Fishkill Farms store sells the farm’s own pasture-raised stewing hens that have been frozen, as well as fresh and homemade foods, such as pies (apple, pumpkin, bumbleberry, blueberry, pecan and chocolate pecan, among others); harvest boxes filled with organic vegetables; eco-certified apples and fresh-pressed cider; and local cranberries.

 “Our farm store is packed with dozens of varieties of apples, fresh organic veggies, estate-made hard cider (Treasury Cider), fresh-pressed cider, local cheese, wines and spirits,” Ross says.

Location: Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Rd., Hopewell Junction, NY. To order a turkey, visit FishkillFarms.com. For more info, call 845.897.4377 or email [email protected].

 

Hemlock Hill Farm, Cortlandt Manor

Hemlock Hill Farm will be accepting orders for their pasture-raised, all-natural Broad Breasted White turkeys until November 19. They will continue to take orders after that, but turkey sizes will be limited. For those planning a smaller Thanksgiving gathering this year, the farm also sells turkey breasts, wings, thighs and legs, as well as fresh chickens, ducks and geese.

During the week of Thanksgiving, various Hudson Valley vendors will be selling their products at the Hemlock Hill Farm store.

Location: Hemlock Hill Farm, 500 Croton Ave., Cortlandt Manor, NY. To place an order, call 914.737.2810 or reserve online at HemlockHillfarm.com.

 

Pound Ridge Organics, Pound Ridge

Pound Ridge Organics sells heritage-breed turkeys, as well as the more familiar broad-breasted variety, from Heermance Farm in Tivoli. “This is the same farm that provides turkeys to Chef Daniel Boulud for his Michelin-starred kitchen at Restaurant Daniel in New York City,” says Pound Ridge owner Donna Simons.

The turkeys are organic, pastured and humanely raised, she says. “In addition to providing locally milled organic feed to the poultry, our farmers provide a proprietary blend of natural organic ingredients that enhance the flavor of the meat even more so. It’s the best poultry I have ever tasted.”

The farm market will be open November 20-24, selling Thanksgiving essentials such as produce, eggs, charcuterie, dairy products, apple cider, cranberry sauce, honey, candles, gift items and more. Pre-ordered turkeys will be available for pickup November 22 and 23.

The market always carries chicken, and it will likely have duck and goose for Thanksgiving too, Simons says. It also sells a variety of handmade organic desserts, including gluten-free alternatives such as apple crisps, ice cream and mousse.

 “We send out order forms in our newsletter. You can subscribe at PoundRidgeOrganics.com,” she says. “Also, we will have a special Thanksgiving event to be announced in the coming weeks.”

Location: Pound Ridge Organics, 22 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge, NY. For more information, call 914.764.3006, email [email protected] or visit Pound Ridge Organics .

Z Farms Organic, Dover Plains

At Z Farms, the Thanksgiving turkeys are pasture raised and certified organic. “We sell mostly frozen turkeys but can leave them fresh if they’re pre-ordered,” says farm manager Diane Smolyar-Zlotnikov. “We sell turkey breasts, leg quarters and wings too.”

The farm’s turkeys and other poultry are kept in mobile coops that are regularly rotated on fresh green grass paddocks, where the birds forage for bugs and insects. They are also fed organic, non-GMO, soy-free feed made of green peas, barley, oats, flaxseed and minerals.

The Z Farm stand is open year-round, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., every day except Monday, when it’s open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regular customers and new customers making their first order receive a 10 percent discount. Curbside pickup and delivery are currently available for safety reasons. 

Location: Z Farms Organic Food, 355 Poplar Hill Rd., Dover Plains, NY. For more info or to place an order, call 917.319.6414, email [email protected] or visit Zfarms Organic Food,