Hall Attends Ribbon Cutting in Hopewell Junction and Promotes Small Business Growth

Press Release

Congressman John Hall (NY-19) continuing to express his support for the "Make It in America' initiative in Congress attended a special ribbon cutting ceremony today to mark the opening of the renovated farmers market at Fishkill Farms in Hopewell Junction, NY. The historic Fishkill Farms is owned by former Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, and was hosted by Charlie North, president of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Fishkill Farms is primarily an apple orchard, with 40 acres of trees, and also grows peaches, pears, nectarines, black currants, cherries, several acres of berries, and pumpkins, all of which are available in season for visitors to pick-their-own. Their farmers market has been renovated and redesigned as a comprehensive grocery store, specializing in their own and local products--such as milk, meats and cheeses from the surrounding Hudson Valley.

"It's great to see local businesses such as Fishkill Farms grow and support the region's economy," said Rep. Hall. "One way to create small business growth is with tax incentives, which is why I introduced in Congress the Helping Small Businesses Start and Grow Act, a bill that creates a variety of new incentives and improves some existing measures. Most importantly, these provisions came directly from meetings I had with Charlie North and business leaders throughout the Hudson Valley. I will continue my work in Congress to stimulate economic growth and ease the local tax burden in the Hudson Valley"

There is a good deal of history associated with Fishkill Farms. The property was acquired in 1914 by Henry Morgenthau, Jr., the U. S. Secretary of the Treasury during the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and a major architect of the New Deal; as chairman of the Farm Credit Administration, he helped save many family farms from foreclosure in the 1930s. FDR was a frequent visitor to the farm, and a meeting with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill took place there in 1942.

Congressman Hall added that another bill that passed in the House, the Small Business Lending Fund Act, would create a fund to provide capital to small banks that lend to small businesses like Fishkill Farms. Both bills are part of the "Make It in America" initiative now being promoted in Congress, and which Rep. Hall has strongly supported.

Charlie North, president of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce said: "Fishkill Farms is a fine example of what "Think Local First' is all about, and that's our slogan. We always enjoy working with Congressman Hall, especially because of his support of small businesses."

Fishkill Farm was passed eventually to Robert Morgenthau, and after leasing the farm to other growers over the years, he and his son Josh decided in 2008 to take over the operating of the farm once again and preserving the land with continued diversification and transitioning to organic practices.

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