The History of Dykeman Farm

1930s:    Henry Sr. bought Dykeman place on Lakeside Drive in Pawling. (Umcheid's house now) in 1934. For 12 years, he sold from house to house: corn, assorted vegetables, raspberries, strawberries, apples using truck.

1940s:    In 1946, he bought the present farm. He continued to sell fresh produce from house to house. Henry Dykeman Sr., his wife, Velma, their son, Henry Dykeman Jr., and his wife, Jean all worked to pick produce, etc. They later parked a truck near the R.R. Station in Pawling and sold from there. (Jr. & Sr.)

1950s:    Sent vegetables to Dutchess County Fair-Won the championship 5 different years. (Was a lot of work, but very satisfying. ) Henry Jr. & Sr. went into a partnership and still sold their vegetables from the truck near R.R. station. They also had PYO strawberries at the farm during the month of June.

1960s:    Land was bought on Route 22 in Pawling and The Henry Dykeman's Farm Market was built. (Approx. 1961-62) Henry Sr. & Velma retired. Hank & Jean and their entire family (daughters Ginger & Sandra, and son, Wright and other relatives) pitched in and helped. High quality and freshness was always a # 1 issue with their vegetables. The market started as a 2-bay garage-type structure. The 3rd bay (1st addition) was added in the late 60's. Schools were contacted during the pumpkin season, letting the children have field trips, picking pumpkins, and learning about how pumpkins grow. A greenhouse was built at the farm, and tomatoes were grown to have an early crop to sell at the market.

1970s:    Wright Henry Dykeman, Henry Jr. and Jean's son, joined the business full time with his wife, Beth. Bedding plants (flowers and vegetables) were added to sales, opening the market on May 1st of each year. Beginning in 1975, Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins began during Columbus Day weekend. Interest in houseplants caused a need for a small addition (2nd) to the market in 1976. As the business steadily grew, new product lines were added as our customers' needs grew.

1980s:    The market and machinery on the farm were incorporated in 1983, becoming "The Henry Dykemans Inc.". Henry Dykeman Jr., Jean, Wright & Beth, Ginger & Scott all were involved in the business. The addition of a greenhouse (3rd addition) was added to our market, as well as an addition to our selling area in the same year. Market was open every day from May 1 through November 1 with a full line of produce, flowering plants, bedding plants, jams, jellies, cheeses, and other assorted products. Customers could Pick their Own Strawberries in June and Pick their own Pumpkins in October.

1990s:    Dykeman's reputation for quality and conscientious service gave Dykemans a rapport with the local public as well as travelers and commuters. We were told that we had become a 'landmark' on Route 22. Henry Jr. and Jean "semi-retired" in the mid-1990s with the business continuing to grow. We knew we were on the verge of a change in our business once again. We either had to expand again . . . or downsize our business.

1997:    After many hours, days, months of consideration, and many factors later (hail related weather, rising prices of equipment and seeds, labor costs), we decided to downsize our business late in 1997 and bring our business back home to our farm. This enabled us to bring our customers (whom we consider friends) to our farm and share with them our love of the country life. People can now see where our crops are grown, pick their own crops in season, and escape the busy world for a time.

Our market on Route 22 was closed in November 1997. The market was sold in October of 1998. It was a very big change, one that would affect us all, but we feel it was for the better for everyone.

1998:    Beginning in June of 1998, Wright & Beth and their children, Candy & Henry, continued with the business selling only vegetables from the farm (and Strawberries) & a few local fruits from a little stand outside Henry Jr. and Jean's farmhouse. The stand operated as Dykemans Farm. This enabled Hank & Jean to be as involved as they want to be, as they enjoy seeing many of their customers and friends.

1999-2000:    In 1999, the stand opened in July, with sweet corn, tomatoes, and potatoes as our major crops. It was the first year that we didn't raise strawberries. They were plowed under in fall of 1998 to produce a more profitable crop. We continue to provide some local fruits including peaches, pears, blueberries, and apples to our customers. Other than that, all crops are raised on our farm. We continue to raise 2 greenhouses of tomatoes that are ready in late June. We feel that all of our produce is now fresher and we can keep the quality better than we did before. We continue to try new varieties of Sweet Corn each year, to make it taste better than ever.

2001:    In 2001 we were honored to have McKinney & Doyle Fine Foods Café feature our sweet corn at their first annual "Summer Picnic Sweet Corn Dinner", which featured a 5 course meal, featuring corn in every course. It was delicious!