Opdyke Family Farm is run by Matt and Heidi Opdyke and their children.Â
The Catskills-based farm provides sustainably raised meat, chicken eggs. Future plans include berries, vegetables and honey to customers interested in supporting a small farm enterprise, which focuses on quality over quantity. Livestock are raised in a low-density environment to reduce stress on the livestock and environment. Pastures for traditional livestock (i.e., cattle and sheep) are managed through mowing to ensure ample food is available to avoid the use of supplemental grains.
Meadows for non-traditional livestock (i.e., honey bees) are managed to encourage wildflower growth, benefitting both livestock and wildlife. We invest in long-term and mid-term crops such as blueberries and Christmas trees, compared to short-term crops such as corn, because of the lower environmental impacts. These crops are grown without pesticides and herbicides, and have the added benefit of providing habitat and food for wildlife. In addition to generating food products for our local communities, our land and water resources are managed for future generations by controlling non-native plants and planting natives.