Farming in Knox, Past, Present, Future  
​NYS Path Through History Program 2017

KHS President Dennis Barber introduces the Path Through History Program about Farming in Knox on Saturday, June 17 on the porch of the Saddlemire Homestead.

Anna Wolfe, KHS Treasurer, displays a sack from the Gage Stock Farm that was used to sell Helderberg Birdsfoot Trefoil seed.  The Gage Stock Farm was located on West Wind Road.  Helderberg Birdsfoot Trefoil was a variety of trefoil discovered in Albany County. This variety grew well on the difficult soil found in the Hilltowns. Not only did this trefoil grow well here, it was a healthy and favorite food of the cows.
Nancy Frueh, KHS Vice President, looks on and displays a hand made wooden shovel for grain.

Ken Saddlemire is one of the three remaining dairy farmers in the town of Knox today. Ken's family was one of the original families that settled Knox and their original homestead was on what is now Street Road and Ken shared photos of his family who have been farmers in the town for many generations.   Ken spoke how farming has changed over the years. Regulations have made dairy farming more difficult for farmers with small herds and many farmers had to give up their dairy business.  Today's farmer needs many skills:  knowledge about GMOs and artificial insemination, business acumen, mechanical ability, and more.  It is easy to see why Ken has been so successful - his love of farming and willingness to work hard is very evident.

Elizabeth Lendrum, a student at BKWCSD, spoke. Elizabeth recently took 2 courses in high school dealing with farming. Elizabeth is the 9th generation to live at the Lendrum farm on Taber Road and she plans to continue the farming tradition after her schooling. Elizabeth spoke about the technological changes occurring in farming.

KHS VP Nancy Frueh presents Elizabeth with a small token of our appreciation for speaking at our program.