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.
1919
Ralph A. and Mary Rogers Adams purchase 50 acres of farmland on Pleasant Valley Road (now Route 44, Dutchess Turnpike) in Poughkeepsie, NY
Read more1927
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
Read more1932
Ralph R., Dorothy and Diana Adams on the farm, late 1920s. Donald was born in 1932. (R) The Adams barn 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)….
Read more1940’s
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…
Read more1956
Ralph A. and Donald Adams ca 1954 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…
Read more1958
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.
Read more1960’s
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.
Read more1970’s
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…
Read more1981
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.
Read more1983-1988
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
Read more1998
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.
Read more
2015
Pat Adams (L) becomes CEO and his brother, Steve (R), becomes COO. Photo courtesy of Valley Table Magazine.
Read more2019
Adams celebrates its 100th Anniversary with Centennial-themed festivities throughout the year
Read more2023
2023: Adams opens its 5th store located at 636 RT 211, Middletown, NY on June 16, 2023.
Read more