Dutchess County Fair - Legacy of Agriculture & Community Sat, 30 May 2026 03:11:23 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599331 en-us © 2026 Dutchess County Fair - Legacy of Agriculture & Community yes 0312a799-acf7-5b92-8c77-51bef24cf0cc Dutchess County Agricultural Society episodic false A podcast dedicated to celebrating the people, farms, and traditions that make agriculture such an important part of our lives here in Dutchess County and beyond.


Hosted by Suzanne Rajczi — is a 25-year member of the Dutchess County Agricultural Society, foodservice industry leader, community advocate, and passionate supporter of local agriculture.


This podcast shines a spotlight on agriculture and community — and the incredible stories behind them.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Dutchess County Agricultural Society https://storage.buzzsprout.com/bbtjmh5xc13tlfufh618716sce6b?.jpg Dutchess County Fair - Legacy of Agriculture & Community Sweet Corn Ice Cream?! And Somehow It Actually Works | Cooper Lane farm Sweet Corn Ice Cream?! And Somehow It Actually Works | Cooper Lane farm Host Suzanne Rajczi, visits Cooper Lane Farms with Katie Hines and Bob Ferris to explore the farm’s history and how it evolved from a former dairy property into an operation focused on hay, sweet corn, and local food education. Bob discusses hand-picked sweet corn, hay production and crop rotation, and the challenges and satisfaction of sustaining agriculture, including land conservation and changing economics. Katie shares her 4-H journey from Cloverbud through showing and selling Southdown sheep at the Dutchess County Fair, detailing sheep care, lambing, and animal stewardship for quality meat and wool. She also explains how she built Zo’s Ice Cream, emphasizing small-batch production, local sourcing, the “cow to cone in three days” model, seasonal flavors like sweet corn ice cream, and educational school programs connecting kids to where food comes from, ahead of the Dutchess County Fair’s 180th anniversary.

00:00 Podcast Welcome
02:34 Sweet Corn Work
04:27 Hay Fields Rotation
07:53 Animals and Aging
08:41 Katie 4H Journey
11:02 Fair Auction Lessons
14:57 Sheep Care Basics
18:55 Local Lamb Quality
21:21 Zoes Ice Cream Story
23:27 Local Flavors Ingredients
24:20 Sweet Corn Flavor
26:13 Sourcing Local Ingredients
31:52 Future of Local Farming
38:25 Advice for Young Farmers
43:11 Sheep Raising Basics
46:32 Podcast Wrap and Fair

]]> Host Suzanne Rajczi, visits Cooper Lane Farms with Katie Hines and Bob Ferris to explore the farm’s history and how it evolved from a former dairy property into an operation focused on hay, sweet corn, and local food education. Bob discusses hand-picked sweet corn, hay production and crop rotation, and the challenges and satisfaction of sustaining agriculture, including land conservation and changing economics. Katie shares her 4-H journey from Cloverbud through showing and selling Southdown sheep at the Dutchess County Fair, detailing sheep care, lambing, and animal stewardship for quality meat and wool. She also explains how she built Zo’s Ice Cream, emphasizing small-batch production, local sourcing, the “cow to cone in three days” model, seasonal flavors like sweet corn ice cream, and educational school programs connecting kids to where food comes from, ahead of the Dutchess County Fair’s 180th anniversary.

00:00 Podcast Welcome
02:34 Sweet Corn Work
04:27 Hay Fields Rotation
07:53 Animals and Aging
08:41 Katie 4H Journey
11:02 Fair Auction Lessons
14:57 Sheep Care Basics
18:55 Local Lamb Quality
21:21 Zoes Ice Cream Story
23:27 Local Flavors Ingredients
24:20 Sweet Corn Flavor
26:13 Sourcing Local Ingredients
31:52 Future of Local Farming
38:25 Advice for Young Farmers
43:11 Sheep Raising Basics
46:32 Podcast Wrap and Fair

]]> Dutchess County Agricultural Society Buzzsprout-19159250 Tue, 26 May 2026 10:00:00 -0400 2870 full false Percheron Horses Explained: Power, History & Training Percheron Horses Explained: Power, History & Training Step into the powerful world of Percheron draft horses and carriage driving in this episode of Monday Moments. Host Suzanne Rajczi, speaks with Frank Castella of Castle Carriage about the history, strength, and legacy of these incredible horses from their origins as medieval warhorses in France to their vital role in American agriculture.

Frank shares how he trains draft horses using trust and consistency, breaks down hitch terminology, and explains how teams are built for parades, weddings, competitions, and even film work. He also tells the story of acquiring his first Percheron and building a life around these animals.

A highlight of this episode is the inspiring Warrior Wagon Veterans Appreciation Project—an accessible, military-themed wagon Frank designed to honor service members. From 2014 to 2024, the project recognized nearly 600 veterans and public servants, blending agriculture, craftsmanship, and patriotism.

If you’re interested in horses, farming, history, or honoring those who serve, this episode delivers.

00:51 Meet Frank Castella 
02:02 Percheron Origins and Warhorses
04:47 Hitches and Horsemen Basics 
06:30 Draft Breeds Compared 
10:06 Size Weight and Farm Work 
12:48 First Percheron at the Fair 
16:07 Building Teams and Wagons 
23:31 Training with Kindness 
27:30 Trust Building Timeline 
29:33 Breaking Cart Gone Wrong 
32:09 Warrior Wagon Origins 
43:36 Impact Honoring 600 Heroes 
46:49 Hitch Roles And Training 
49:03 Driving Cues And Control 
50:25 Favorite Horses And Joy 
52:33 Youth And Agriculture Future 
56:47 Final Thanks And Fair Promo

]]> Step into the powerful world of Percheron draft horses and carriage driving in this episode of Monday Moments. Host Suzanne Rajczi, speaks with Frank Castella of Castle Carriage about the history, strength, and legacy of these incredible horses from their origins as medieval warhorses in France to their vital role in American agriculture.

Frank shares how he trains draft horses using trust and consistency, breaks down hitch terminology, and explains how teams are built for parades, weddings, competitions, and even film work. He also tells the story of acquiring his first Percheron and building a life around these animals.

A highlight of this episode is the inspiring Warrior Wagon Veterans Appreciation Project—an accessible, military-themed wagon Frank designed to honor service members. From 2014 to 2024, the project recognized nearly 600 veterans and public servants, blending agriculture, craftsmanship, and patriotism.

If you’re interested in horses, farming, history, or honoring those who serve, this episode delivers.

00:51 Meet Frank Castella 
02:02 Percheron Origins and Warhorses
04:47 Hitches and Horsemen Basics 
06:30 Draft Breeds Compared 
10:06 Size Weight and Farm Work 
12:48 First Percheron at the Fair 
16:07 Building Teams and Wagons 
23:31 Training with Kindness 
27:30 Trust Building Timeline 
29:33 Breaking Cart Gone Wrong 
32:09 Warrior Wagon Origins 
43:36 Impact Honoring 600 Heroes 
46:49 Hitch Roles And Training 
49:03 Driving Cues And Control 
50:25 Favorite Horses And Joy 
52:33 Youth And Agriculture Future 
56:47 Final Thanks And Fair Promo

]]> Dutchess County Agricultural Society Buzzsprout-19159244 Tue, 12 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400 3515 full false Why Bees Are Essential to Our Food System Why Bees Are Essential to Our Food System Discover the vital role honeybees play in pollination, agriculture, and our food supply in this episode of Monday Moments. Host Suzanne Rajczi sits down with beekeeper Michael 
 Vlei Forge Apiary, in Rhinebeck, NY, to explore the fascinating world of beekeeping in the Hudson Valley.

From hive structure and bee lifecycles to raw honey production and pollination economics, this episode breaks down how bees impact everything from local farms to global food systems. Michael shares his journey from professional horseshoer to beekeeper, along with insights on hive management, swarming, winter survival, and transporting bees for crop pollination.

We also dive into major threats facing honeybees today, including pesticides, habitat loss, weather changes, and varroa mites—plus how organic beekeeping practices can help.
If you’ve ever wondered how bees make honey, how to start beekeeping, or why bees are essential to agriculture, this episode is for you.



TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 
02:45 Western Honeybee Basics 
04:41 Pollination Economics 
06:27 How Bees Navigate Home 
09:45 Bee Life Cycle Explained 
13:37 Winter Survival and Feeding 
15:43 Swarming and Space Management 
17:29 Hive Architecture Tour 
20:28 Queen Marking and Stings 
24:43 Hudson Valley Nectar Flows 
29:17 Fairground Apiary and Organic Care 
31:03 Mites and Bee Biosecurity 
34:21 Dutchess County Fair 
38:03 Bee Stressors and Habitat 
40:00 Starting Beekeeping Tips 
46:04 Real Honey vs Adulteration 
49:10 Harvesting and Bottling Honey 
50:59 Honey Varieties and Judging 
56:45 Comb Honey and Wax 
58:44 Helping Bees at Home 
01:00:40 Stings and Protective Gear 

]]> Discover the vital role honeybees play in pollination, agriculture, and our food supply in this episode of Monday Moments. Host Suzanne Rajczi sits down with beekeeper Michael 
 Vlei Forge Apiary, in Rhinebeck, NY, to explore the fascinating world of beekeeping in the Hudson Valley.

From hive structure and bee lifecycles to raw honey production and pollination economics, this episode breaks down how bees impact everything from local farms to global food systems. Michael shares his journey from professional horseshoer to beekeeper, along with insights on hive management, swarming, winter survival, and transporting bees for crop pollination.

We also dive into major threats facing honeybees today, including pesticides, habitat loss, weather changes, and varroa mites—plus how organic beekeeping practices can help.
If you’ve ever wondered how bees make honey, how to start beekeeping, or why bees are essential to agriculture, this episode is for you.



TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 
02:45 Western Honeybee Basics 
04:41 Pollination Economics 
06:27 How Bees Navigate Home 
09:45 Bee Life Cycle Explained 
13:37 Winter Survival and Feeding 
15:43 Swarming and Space Management 
17:29 Hive Architecture Tour 
20:28 Queen Marking and Stings 
24:43 Hudson Valley Nectar Flows 
29:17 Fairground Apiary and Organic Care 
31:03 Mites and Bee Biosecurity 
34:21 Dutchess County Fair 
38:03 Bee Stressors and Habitat 
40:00 Starting Beekeeping Tips 
46:04 Real Honey vs Adulteration 
49:10 Harvesting and Bottling Honey 
50:59 Honey Varieties and Judging 
56:45 Comb Honey and Wax 
58:44 Helping Bees at Home 
01:00:40 Stings and Protective Gear 

]]> Dutchess County Agricultural Society Buzzsprout-19087156 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400 3990 full false How Maple Syrup Is Really Made with Soukup Farms (Hudson Valley Secrets) How Maple Syrup Is Really Made with Soukup Farms (Hudson Valley Secrets) Host Suzanne Rajczi visits Soukup Farms in Dover Plains, New York, to learn from Mark and Jennifer Soukup about their multigenerational maple operation and its ties to the Dutchess County Fair’s working sugar shack. They discuss the farm’s history from a pre–Civil War orchard to today’s 150 acres owned, 500+ farmed, and 3,000+ tapped trees, along with sustainable forest management and proper tapping practices. The episode explains how sap becomes syrup through reverse osmosis, boiling on an evaporator, and hot filtering, including the “rule of 87” and how weather-driven freeze-thaw cycles determine season timing, sap flow, and syrup grades from golden to very dark. The Soukups also highlight community education via maple weekends, school and bus tours, and value-added products like maple sugar, cream, candy, and sauces.

00:00 Welcome to Soukup Farms 
05:00 Maple Varieties Explained
06:14 Jennifer Joins the Operation
07:14 Evaporator and Filtering
09:16 Reverse Osmosis Basics
10:35 Weather and Sap Season
15:10 Tapping, Tubing, and Workflow
20:44 Boiling Hours and Yield Math
26:02 Flavor Profiles by Color
31:08 Tours and Maple Weekends
34:16 Dutchess Fair Sugar Shack
40:37 Cooking with Maple Syrup
41:27 Real vs Imitation Syrup
43:51 Value Added Maple Products
45:50 Closing and Next Episodes

]]> Host Suzanne Rajczi visits Soukup Farms in Dover Plains, New York, to learn from Mark and Jennifer Soukup about their multigenerational maple operation and its ties to the Dutchess County Fair’s working sugar shack. They discuss the farm’s history from a pre–Civil War orchard to today’s 150 acres owned, 500+ farmed, and 3,000+ tapped trees, along with sustainable forest management and proper tapping practices. The episode explains how sap becomes syrup through reverse osmosis, boiling on an evaporator, and hot filtering, including the “rule of 87” and how weather-driven freeze-thaw cycles determine season timing, sap flow, and syrup grades from golden to very dark. The Soukups also highlight community education via maple weekends, school and bus tours, and value-added products like maple sugar, cream, candy, and sauces.

00:00 Welcome to Soukup Farms 
05:00 Maple Varieties Explained
06:14 Jennifer Joins the Operation
07:14 Evaporator and Filtering
09:16 Reverse Osmosis Basics
10:35 Weather and Sap Season
15:10 Tapping, Tubing, and Workflow
20:44 Boiling Hours and Yield Math
26:02 Flavor Profiles by Color
31:08 Tours and Maple Weekends
34:16 Dutchess Fair Sugar Shack
40:37 Cooking with Maple Syrup
41:27 Real vs Imitation Syrup
43:51 Value Added Maple Products
45:50 Closing and Next Episodes

]]> Dutchess County Agricultural Society Buzzsprout-18988563 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400 2850 full false From Pasture to Plate: The Legacy of North Wind Farms From Pasture to Plate: The Legacy of North Wind Farms Suzanne Rajczi sits down with Russ and Amanda Brezinski of North Wind Farms in Tivoli, New York, a family-owned, vertically integrated livestock farm. Russ shares how the farm grew from his father’s 1982 start raising antibiotic-free poultry into a diversified operation with chickens, turkeys, cattle, pigs, lambs, goats, ducks, geese, guinea hens, and rabbits. 

They describe raising and processing poultry on-farm, turkey breeds and seasonal ordering, biosecurity practices, feed sourcing, and timelines for turkey and beef production. 

The conversation covers pasture rotation, soil health, farm size and herd numbers, winter challenges, labor shortages, processing and USDA inspection constraints, farmers’ market sales, customer education, and misconceptions about farming’s demands. 

They also discuss ties to the Dutchess County Fair, 4-H, and hopes to preserve farmland for future generations, including support for FFA.

]]> Suzanne Rajczi sits down with Russ and Amanda Brezinski of North Wind Farms in Tivoli, New York, a family-owned, vertically integrated livestock farm. Russ shares how the farm grew from his father’s 1982 start raising antibiotic-free poultry into a diversified operation with chickens, turkeys, cattle, pigs, lambs, goats, ducks, geese, guinea hens, and rabbits. 

They describe raising and processing poultry on-farm, turkey breeds and seasonal ordering, biosecurity practices, feed sourcing, and timelines for turkey and beef production. 

The conversation covers pasture rotation, soil health, farm size and herd numbers, winter challenges, labor shortages, processing and USDA inspection constraints, farmers’ market sales, customer education, and misconceptions about farming’s demands. 

They also discuss ties to the Dutchess County Fair, 4-H, and hopes to preserve farmland for future generations, including support for FFA.

]]> Dutchess County Agricultural Society Buzzsprout-18922026 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400 2263 full false How Battenfeld Farm Became a Hudson Valley Christmas Tree & Flower Destination How Battenfeld Farm Became a Hudson Valley Christmas Tree & Flower Destination Today we visit Battenfeld Flower & Tree Farm in Red Hook, New York, to explore the story behind one of Dutchess County’s most unique multigenerational farms. Fred Battenfeld shares how the family operation evolved from apple orchards, dairy farming, and violet greenhouses into a thriving flower and Christmas tree business. The farm became known for greenhouse-grown anemones cold-season flowers that thrive in the Hudson Valley developed through careful seed breeding, cross-pollination, and meticulous greenhouse practices.

Fred also discusses the seasonal rhythm of the farm, from breeding new flower varieties and shipping blooms nationwide to managing nearly 100 acres of Christmas trees. He reflects on the craftsmanship behind pruning and shaping trees, the intense holiday rush when visitors arrive for cut-your-own trees, and the Battenfeld family’s decades-long involvement with the Dutchess County Fair, helping expand agricultural education and community traditions.

]]> Today we visit Battenfeld Flower & Tree Farm in Red Hook, New York, to explore the story behind one of Dutchess County’s most unique multigenerational farms. Fred Battenfeld shares how the family operation evolved from apple orchards, dairy farming, and violet greenhouses into a thriving flower and Christmas tree business. The farm became known for greenhouse-grown anemones cold-season flowers that thrive in the Hudson Valley developed through careful seed breeding, cross-pollination, and meticulous greenhouse practices.

Fred also discusses the seasonal rhythm of the farm, from breeding new flower varieties and shipping blooms nationwide to managing nearly 100 acres of Christmas trees. He reflects on the craftsmanship behind pruning and shaping trees, the intense holiday rush when visitors arrive for cut-your-own trees, and the Battenfeld family’s decades-long involvement with the Dutchess County Fair, helping expand agricultural education and community traditions.

]]> Dutchess County Agricultural Society Buzzsprout-18858425 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400 2419 full false Dutchess County Fair | Legacy of Agriculture & Community Podcast | Stormfield Swiss Farm Dutchess County Fair | Legacy of Agriculture & Community Podcast | Stormfield Swiss Farm The Dutchess County Agricultural Society is proud to present Episode 1 of our new podcast, The Legacy of Agriculture and Community. Hosted by Suzanne Rajczi, this series celebrates the people, farms, and traditions that define our region.

Our first guest is Jennifer DeForest from Stormfield Swiss Farm. Located on the historic Knapp Farm property, Stormfield Swiss is a testament to the resilience of New York agriculture. Join us as we explore Jennifer’s journey from 4-H member to dairy farm owner and advocate.

]]> The Dutchess County Agricultural Society is proud to present Episode 1 of our new podcast, The Legacy of Agriculture and Community. Hosted by Suzanne Rajczi, this series celebrates the people, farms, and traditions that define our region.

Our first guest is Jennifer DeForest from Stormfield Swiss Farm. Located on the historic Knapp Farm property, Stormfield Swiss is a testament to the resilience of New York agriculture. Join us as we explore Jennifer’s journey from 4-H member to dairy farm owner and advocate.

]]> Buzzsprout-18757578 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0500 2361 1 1 full false Dutchess County Fair - Legacy of Agriculture & Community Dutchess County Fair - Legacy of Agriculture & Community Hello and welcome to the Dutchess County Fair – Legacy of Agriculture & Community, a podcast dedicated to celebrating the people, farms, and traditions that make agriculture such an important part of our lives here in Dutchess County and beyond.


I’m your host, Suzanne Rajczi — a 25-year member of the Dutchess County Agricultural Society, a foodservice industry leader, community advocate, and passionate supporter of local agriculture.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with farmers, producers, and foodservice professionals who are committed to quality, sustainability, and community.


This podcast shines a spotlight on agriculture and community — and the incredible stories behind them.

]]> Hello and welcome to the Dutchess County Fair – Legacy of Agriculture & Community, a podcast dedicated to celebrating the people, farms, and traditions that make agriculture such an important part of our lives here in Dutchess County and beyond.


I’m your host, Suzanne Rajczi — a 25-year member of the Dutchess County Agricultural Society, a foodservice industry leader, community advocate, and passionate supporter of local agriculture.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with farmers, producers, and foodservice professionals who are committed to quality, sustainability, and community.


This podcast shines a spotlight on agriculture and community — and the incredible stories behind them.

]]> Dutchess County Agricultural Society Buzzsprout-18756214 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0500 66 1 trailer false