Dutchess County Fair - Legacy of Agriculture & Community
A podcast dedicated to celebrating the people, farms, and traditions that make agriculture such an important part of our lives here in Dutchess County and beyond.
Hosted by Suzanne Rajczi — is a 25-year member of the Dutchess County Agricultural Society, foodservice industry leader, community advocate, and passionate supporter of local agriculture.
This podcast shines a spotlight on agriculture and community — and the incredible stories behind them.
Episodes
29 episodes
What Does It Take to Raise a Show Pig?
John Prezzano has been part of the Dutchess County Fair for nearly 40 years. In this episode of the Legacy of Agriculture and Community podcast, he takes us inside the world of livestock showing and explains what it takes to raise, train, breed...
What Does It Take to Show a Goat at the Fair?
Amanda has been part of the Dutchess County Fair since she was eight years old. In this episode of the Legacy of Agriculture and Community podcast, she shares her journey through 4-H, raising and showing dairy goats, and bringing the next gener...
The Future of Agriculture Starts Here: 4-H, Family & the Dutchess County Fair
For more than 60 years, Gina Guercio Beckmann and her family have been part of the Dutchess County Fair. In this episode of the Legacy of Agriculture and Community podcast, Gina shares her family's generations-long connection to agriculture, da...
30+ Poultry Breeds?! Discover the Birds of the Dutchess County Fair
From baby chicks and colorful eggs to giant 50-pound turkeys, the Dutchess County Fair Poultry Barn is full of surprises.In this Legacy of Agriculture and Community podcast, Vern Schrom Jr. shares what happens behind the scenes in the Po...
Reptiles, Archery, Hatchet Throwing & More! Inside the Fair’s Wildlife Exhibit
Discover the Wildlife Exhibit at the Dutchess County Fair with Bill from the Northern Dutchess Rod & Gun Club. From reptiles and Hudson River fish to taxidermy, archery, airsoft, hatchet throwing, and free fishing for kids, this longtime fa...
Inside 4-H: The Program Teaching Kids Agriculture, Leadership & Life Skills
Discover what 4-H means to the young people and families of Dutchess County.Carolyn McGraw, Dutchess County's 4-H Program Leader, explains how nearly 300 youth participate in 29 clubs covering livestock, agriculture, environmental scienc...
This Is How Firefighters Fought Fires 100+ Years Ago
What was firefighting like before modern fire trucks? Discover the answer inside the Firefighters Museum of Dutchess County at the Dutchess County Fair.Kyle Poggenburg, president of the museum, shares the history behind an 1889 horse-dra...
14,000 Flowers?! The Secret Behind the Dutchess County Fairgrounds
Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes to make the Dutchess County Fairgrounds look so spectacular?Tony from Phantom Gardener takes us behind the scenes of the gardens and grounds, revealing how nearly 14,000 annual flowers are plant...
80 Years at the Fair: The Story Behind the Grange Snack Bar
For more than a century, the Grange has been part of the Dutchess County Fair. In this Legacy of Agriculture and Community podcast, Ryan Orton shares the story of his family's five-generation connection to the Grange, the 80-year history of the...
Did You Know There’s an 1870 Train Station at the Dutchess County Fair?
Join us for a fascinating conversation with Alan and Ingrid as we explore the history of the Pleasant Valley Train Station, its connection to Dutchess County agriculture, and how this historic structure was carefully moved and restored at the f...
These Belts Last 20 Years?! Inside the Family Business Behind Leon’s Leather
For more than 50 years, Leon’s Leather has been part of the Dutchess County Fair.Amanda and Scott share the story of their family business, which began with Leon in 1966 and grew into a nationally traveling leather business known for its...
He Juggles, Rides a 10-Foot Unicycle & Plays With Fire!
Meet Hilby, the “Skinny German Juggling Boy,” and discover the incredible story behind one of the Dutchess County Fair's longtime performers.From learning to juggle while traveling through Asia to performing at fairs, cruise ships, theat...
They Moved This 144-Year-Old Schoolhouse Piece by Piece
Step inside an authentic one-room schoolhouse built in 1881 — now preserved at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, New York.The historic Bentley Schoolhouse was relocated piece by piece to the fairgrounds in 2002, preserving or...
Behind the Scenes of the Dutchess County Fair | Opening Day
After 12 months of preparation, opening day has finally arrived at the Dutchess County Fair in Rhinebeck, New York.Go behind the scenes of this Hudson Valley tradition and discover the people, agriculture, livestock, 4-H programs, food a...
The Family Feeding the Dutchess County Fair for 40 Years
For 40 years, Maxwell Concessions has helped feed generations of families at the Dutchess County Fair.Rob and Joanne Maxwell take us behind the scenes of their family business — from Walkaway Sundaes and frozen bananas to Carissa’s Lemon...
Why Kids Need Agriculture More Than Ever
Faith and Ashley practically grew up at the Dutchess County Fair.From raising dairy goats and beef cattle through 4-H to competing in livestock showmanship, their childhoods were deeply connected to agriculture. Today, they've taken on ...
How Do You Move an Entire Carnival 360 Miles in 2 Days?
How do you move an entire carnival hundreds of miles and have it ready to open again just days later?Corky and Tracy of Powers Amusements take us behind the scenes of the enormous operation responsible for the midway at the Dutchess Coun...
What Happens When a Cow Gives Birth at the Fair?
Go inside the Miracle of Life and Salute to Agriculture exhibits at the Dutchess County Fair in Rhinebeck, New York.Melissa Weingartner and longtime agricultural educator Rich Knievel take us behind the scenes of one of the fair's most f...
What It Really Takes to Grow New York Apples
Host Suzanne Rajczi, interviews John Hardeman of Hardeman Orchards about his family’s multi-generational fruit-farming legacy in Dutchess County and longtime support of the Dutchess County Fair. John recounts how his father became farm manager ...
The Rabbit Facts That Completely Surprised Us--
Host Suzanne Rajczi, welcomes Deb Scannell, a rabbit breeder and superintendent of the rabbit barn at the Dutchess County Fair, to discuss rabbits, guinea pigs (cavies), and youth agriculture education. Debbie shares how she began raising rabbi...
How Birchland Acres Built a Farming Legacy in New York
Host Suzanne Rajczi visits Birchland Acres, a 15-acre Dutchess County family farm dating to the 1800s, and speaks with Michelle and Jeff Hicks about their diversified operation raising Black Angus and crossbred cattle, pigs, and poultry. Jeff s...
Sweet Corn Ice Cream?! And Somehow It Actually Works | Cooper Lane farm
Host Suzanne Rajczi, visits Cooper Lane Farms with Katie Hines and Bob Ferris to explore the farm’s history and how it evolved from a former dairy property into an operation focused on hay, sweet corn, and local food education. Bob discusses ha...
Percheron Horses Explained: Power, History & Training
Step into the powerful world of Percheron draft horses and carriage driving in this episode of Monday Moments. Host Suzanne Rajczi, speaks with Frank Castella of Castle Carriage about the history, strength, and legacy of these incredible horses...
Why Bees Are Essential to Our Food System
Discover the vital role honeybees play in pollination, agriculture, and our food supply in this episode of Monday Moments. Host Suzanne Rajczi sits down with beekeeper Michael Vlei Forge Apiary, in Rhinebeck, NY, to explore the f...
How Maple Syrup Is Really Made with Soukup Farms (Hudson Valley Secrets)
Host Suzanne Rajczi visits Soukup Farms in Dover Plains, New York, to learn from Mark and Jennifer Soukup about their multigenerational maple operation and its ties to the Dutchess County Fair’s working sugar shack. They discuss the farm’s hist...