by Amy Modesti
Rensselaer County has a plethora of farms along its busy routes and little back roads. Among those is Hilldale Farm in Poestenkill. With farms serving as a learning laboratory for growing food, milking cows, or selling food in neighboring towns, one raises the question, “Why farm?”
That is answered in The Little Back Road Farm: The Reichard Family History and Memories, a book inspired by the late Fred Reichard, along with his family and friends, which focuses on the history of Hilldale Farm.
I met with Joycelyn, Linda, and Kimberlee King, for a sit-down interview to discuss the book, the Hilldale Farm Foundation Inc., and what farming means to them. They relived precious memories and expressed their hopes to help fund future Rensselaer County students.
Hilldale Farms’ Past Life and Inspiration for the Book
“What made me decide to write the book was the valuable history that had already been recorded in memoirs—first by my mother, Mildred King, and then by her brother, our Uncle Fred Reichard. They had wonderful memories of working on and developing the farm. My Uncle Fred wrote extensive notes about how the farm started, how they grew crops, how they did anything and everything, and his own personal history. Once he retired from farming, he started writing original poetry.
“I contacted my Uncle Dave Coonrad, and said, ‘I know that we have these poems. What would you think of my publishing them as a fundraiser for the Poestenkill Historical Society?’ And he said, ‘Go for it!’ It took two years to not only gather all the material that had been written, but to encourage multiple family members to put stuff in writing. The book includes material of the present status of the farm as it’s being restored.
The present-day owners, Ken and Nancy Gypson, who bought the farm now 29 years ago, have invested an untold amount of time, energy, and money into researching the farm.
They make it very clear that we are fully welcome to visit and see what they’re doing any time. They’re just warm, welcoming, right-minded people,” said Joycelyn King.
The Hilldale Farm Foundation Inc.
“Part of my experience in working in education for as long as I have is watching so many young people struggle with what they want to do in their future. They spend seventy thousand dollars for a year of college and then drop out, transfer, or they haven’t done the proper research to really figure out what am I interested in? What are my passions? What do I see myself doing? How can I make a difference?
Having served on so many scholarship committees, working in so many different schools in education, I’ve really struggled with how scholarships are given, and I think we’re still working through this, but our goal as a foundation is to really give back to the Rensselaer County students,” said Linda King.
Plans are underway to host future events, with all proceeds benefiting the Foundation for students entering agriculture and related trades. Donations for the scholarship can be sent to Hilldale Farm Foundation, 2826 NY Highway 2, Cropseyville, NY 12052. Books can be purchased by contacting Kimberlee King or Linda King directly as well as Market Blocks in Troy. For more information, visit https://hilldalefarmfoundation.org.
