History of Adams Fairacre Farms

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 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…

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…

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…

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.

Wappinger is opened! Store number four is built on Route 9 in Wappinger, NY

Pat Adams (L) becomes CEO and his brother, Steve (R), becomes COO. Photo courtesy of Valley Table Magazine.

Adams celebrates its 100th Anniversary with Centennial-themed festivities throughout the year

2023: Adams opens its 5th store located at 636 RT 211, Middletown, NY on June 16, 2023.