Kelly W.

This is a newsletter in which I (Edith Zimmerman) interview people in the upstate New York area about their favorite things to do and then illustrate their responses.

Who are you?

Kelly Walker! I'm a mom and a wife. I also teach kids and attempt to farm. 

Where do you live? 

Rensselaerville currently. 

Where are you from originally, and how did you get here? 

I grew up on the east end of Long Island, in a village called Westhampton Beach. I came upstate to visit my friend Ryan and help him harvest hemp at Highview Farms in Medusa a few years ago. I ended up not leaving and moved into an apartment in Rensselaerville with him and my dog Oona. We left briefly to get married and have our son James around family, then ventured back up almost a year ago! 

Have you been anywhere cool recently?  

I went to Thacher State Park in Voorheesville for the first time recently and was blown away. So much to do and so beautiful! 

What do you do for fun? 

Everything is fun with a toddler in tow. Lots of swimming and hiking. We’re raising chickens this year — I'm in the middle of solo processing my meat-bird flock, and it's exhausting, gross, and time-consuming but also extremely rewarding.

Have you eaten any good meals lately? 

Always a great meal at the local watering holes: Kuhar Family Farm, Be Golden Farms, and The Pub at Hilltown Commons, all in Rensselaerville.

What are you looking forward to this year?

Farm school! I teach at this awesome program in East Berne called Henrieka Farm Center. It's a real joy to be outside everyday with the growing minds of our community. My boss is also a badass, and it's a treat to learn from her. 

Anything else I should ask, or that you recommend?

Story hour at the Rensselaerville Library’s Medusa branch (Saturdays at 10 a.m.) is a good time. I also occasionally help/teach for the Huyck Preserve educational programs, and they’re so cool! Kids and adults should check it out. That’s all I got.

Thanks, Kelly! 

Would you like to be featured in this newsletter? Hit me up!

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