In 1919 Ralph A. Adams and his wife, Mary Rogers Adams, purchased 50 acres of farmland on Dutchess Turnpike in Poughkeepsie, New York. They worked the land, selling fresh produce to area retailers. By 1933 they had four children—Diana, Dorothy, Ralph and Donald—and a successful farmstand. Adams Fairacre Farms was born.
In 1958 sons Ralph R. Adams and Donald Adams took over the business and continued the family tradition of providing customers with quality products and first rate service. At first they were only selling fruits and vegetables, but soon people were asking for more. “Once you sold them produce, they wanted cheeses, meats, and then a deli. It was a slow, natural progression,” said Donald. “We had supplies for our farm, and people wanted the fertilizer and plants from us, so we eventually added a garden center.”
Today, Donald’s sons Patrick and Steven lead the business forward. To learn more about the Adams history see below.
Ralph A. and Mary Rogers Adams purchase 50 acres of farmland on Pleasant Valley Road (now Route 44, Dutchess Turnpike) in Poughkeepsie, NY
Ralph A. Adams, left, taking apples to the central market, 1920s
The farm is successful enough to sell produce at a central market in Clinton Square in Poughkeepsie, where it is bought by local grocery stores
Ralph and Mary start their roadside business, selling directly from the barn to passers by and neighbors on the dirt road that ran past the farm (now Rte 44/Dutchess Turnpike). They were successful even in the midst of the Great Depression.
By now the couple had four children: Diana, Dorothy, Ralph and Donald
PHOTO: (L)Ralph R., Dorothy and Diana Adams on the farm, late 1920s. Donald was born in 1932.
Ralph builds a farmstand on the front of the property and puts up a wooden sign: Adams’ Market. Later this would be changed to Fairacre Farm. (He did not want to include the family name on the sign since it seemed boastful). They also give customers the option to pick their own raspberries and strawberries right from the fields. By now they had purchased additional farmland in Salt Point that included apple and peach orchards. This marks the first use of (the plural) Fairacre Farms.
There is also a greenhouse on site, from Poughkeepsie violet grower Mr. Bahret, where plants are given a head start for spring planting. Eventually this also puts him in the plant business; Locals, especially people working at IBM, become interested in buying plants from him.
Source: Original store 1940 article Poughkeepsie New Yorker
Greenhouse and orchards referenced: Diversified Crops On Ralph Adams’ Farm, Aug 11 1940 Sunday Courier
Because the Adams were farmers first and retailers second, they relied on the growing season for their business at first; after the fall harvest of primarily apples and pumpkins they would ready the farm for winter and close the stand until spring. They begin staying open year-round in 1956, at which time they start buying in produce from peddlers and other local farmers to supplement what they themselves grow. At this time they are still selling out of the farmstand.
Photo: Fairacre Farms Stand
Sons Ralph and Donald take over the business, building a small store with large, garage-style doors to give it an open-air market feel, offering local milk and eggs in addition to the produce they grow. Fresh Christmas trees are also now available.
1960: A Garden Center is added to the store.
1962: Fruit Baskets are added to the Produce Department, featuring Adams own apples.
1965: Adams Landscaping opens behind the store.
Brothers and owners Donald (L) and Ralph Adams literally continue to grow the the business. This is when their vegetable production is at its peak with 200 acres of farmland across Dutchess County insuring they have plenty of quality produce for the store.
Photo: Don & Ralph Adams
1974: Adams Fences opens next to Adams Landscaping.
1977: The store has a major expansion to grow its food business. This includes a full-service Deli, Cheese Department and Gourmet Grocery, referred to collectively as Adams Country Foods.
1978: Mark Adams (Ralph’s son) and his wife, Sue, start Adams Greenhouses, which provides bedding plants and poinsettias for the store.
Photo: Poughkeepsie Deli
Kingston opens! A second store is built on Route 9W in Kingston, NY. Business is a success, so much so that they no longer have time to farm themselves.
1983: the First Annual Garden Show is held.
1987: Adams Power Equipment is opened at the Poughkeepsie location.
1988: A major remodel of the Poughkeepsie store sees expansion to the Meat and Seafood Departments
Newburgh is opened! The third store is built in Newburgh, NY, which features a Salad Bar, Prepared Foods, Sweet Shop, Gift Shop and a major Gourmet Grocery Department.
Major renovations are made in the Poughkeepsie and Kingston stores.
Pat Adams (L) becomes CEO and his brother, Steve (R), becomes COO. Photo courtesy of Valley Table Magazine.
