DOWN ON THE FARM
Working farm opens to the public in June
WEST SAND LAKE, N.Y.» June Farms will begin welcoming guests next month for its first full season open to the public offering farm tours, food and drink, event space and overnight stays.
The farm, located on 120 acres at 275 Parker Rd. in West Sand Lake, started inviting visitors to its Pony Barn bar and restaurant last fall, and will reopen June 1 for its first complete summer as a guest destination.
This small, working farm is owned and operated by area restaurant owner Matt Baumgartner, known for his hotspots Wolff’s Biergarten and The Olde English Pub.
In 2013, Baumgartner bought the West Sand Lake property, a former farm that hadn’t been used in years, as a relaxing rural escape from the busy bar and
restaurant world, and a place to find personal happiness.
After bringing the farmland back to life, Baumgartner is now regularly surrounded by cattle, chickens, goats, pigs, ducks and horses, along with Frank the farm dog, at his June Farms home.
June Farms specializes in working with heritage breeds, traditional livestock breeds that were raised by farmers centuries ago, but are often not popular with modern day commer-
cial farms.
All animals are pasture raised with access to plenty of fresh grass, and they are treated with love and respect. “The happiness of the animals is the most important thing to me,” Baumgartner said.
Currently there are baby goats and calves, the first generation to be born on the farm.
The June Farms livestock program is currently only for Baumgartner’s family and friends, but he hopes to someday bring it into his restaurants too.
Vegetable gardens and fruit trees have also been planted at June Farms.
When Baumgartner discovered how happy June Farms made himself as well as his visitors, he decided to start inviting the public to come experience it, too.
A New Hartford native, Baumgartner has always loved farms, but didn’t really plan to ever run one. Now that he does, it feel like a dream, he said.
Baumgartner’s ultimate goal for June Farms is simple to be happy there and to relax, he said, while now sharing it with others too.
The owner is proud of this special place, he said. “It feels like a really good experience when people show up here and everybody acts like a kid. All of the animals seem to make people happy and it feels good to see that.”
Anyone interested can book a stay at June Farms, in one of five cabins on the premises that can be booked online through Airbnb.
Adding to the aspect of the farm, a tree houses is planned to be constructed this fall.
The Pony Barn, which first opened its doors last September, is a seasonal cocktail lounge and restaurant serving artisanal wood fired pizza.
Beginning June 1, The Pony Barn is open from 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday for Family Days. Reservations are encouraged.
Additionally, June Farms can host events. The farm’s upcoming first on-site wedding will be featured on Bravo show Backyard Envy.
More information about June Farms is available online at www.junefarms.com or by calling 518- 8882988.
Beginning June 1, The Pony Barn is open from 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday for Family Days. Reservations are encouraged.