AGC Kicks Off the Season at Meadow Farmstead
The Adirondack Garden Club opened its season on May 26, 2026 with a memorable gathering at Meadow Farmstead in Jay, where members, guests, and local conservation leaders came together to celebrate the connections between horticulture, agriculture, and environmental stewardship.
After a stretch of uncertain Adirondack weather, the skies cleared just in time for a beautiful afternoon. A gentle breeze kept the bugs at bay, while butterflies and hummingbirds seemed to join in the festivities, creating the perfect setting for the club's season opener.
The event was held at Meadow Farmstead, a small vegetable operation nestled behind the home of Becca and Joel Burke in the Adirondack Mountains. Becca, the farm owner, holds a degree in Crop Production, Horticulture, and Land Resource Management and shared insights into the challenges and rewards of running a small-scale farm committed to sustainable practices.
The program was the creative vision of AGC members Melinda and Ana, who designed an event that blended horticulture, conservation, ecology, and support for a growing woman-owned business. Their thoughtful planning provided an engaging opportunity to explore how local agriculture contributes to both community well-being and environmental health.
A special highlight was the visit of Joy Flynn, Garden Club of America's Zone III Co-Chair and former Conservation Chair. Her presence underscored the importance of conservation initiatives and reflected the growing emphasis the GCA is placing on environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.
The discussion was enriched by two distinguished guests: Sunita Halasz, water expert with the Adirondack Council, and Dillon Klepetar, head of the Essex Farm Institute, Farm Advocate for the Adirondack Council, and owner of Farmstead Catering at Echo Farm. Together, they shared perspectives on water resources, sustainable farming, and the ways Adirondack-region farms can remain both environmentally responsible and economically viable.
The afternoon also showcased the best of local food and hospitality. Members brought their own “brown bag lunch” and Rhonda prepared a special lunch featuring lettuce and scallions harvested from Meadow Farmstead, vegetables supplied by Essex Farm, and chicken raised locally for Nancy Budd and Joy Flynn—an authentic farm-to-table experience that highlighted the strength of the region's agricultural community.
The Adirondack Garden Club extends its sincere thanks to the Program Committee, Meadow Farmstead, and all of the speakers and volunteers who made the event such a success. The season opener provided an inspiring beginning to the year and demonstrated how gardening, conservation, and local agriculture can work together to strengthen both communities and landscapes.
Photo caption:
Members of the Adirondack Garden Club gather at Meadow Farmstead in AuSable Forks for the club's season opener, exploring the connections between local agriculture, conservation, and horticulture. Photograph by Laura Sells-Doyle.