The farm is 2 hours from New York City in the Catskills. Situated high on a hill it offers panoramic views. It has been farmed since 1865. Sonja Hedlund and Dick Riseling have operated the farm since 1973 as a horse-powered, organic farm featuring draft and pleasure horses, naturally raised sheep and goats.Through several wind and solar renewable energy systems the farm seeks to be as independent of fossil fuels as possbile. In all seasons, our guest house is availble for rent.

The Farm in New York State - Apple Pond Farm and Renewable Energy Education Center

Sonja Hedlund began her work life as an English teacher in Hiroshima, Japan. The former director of New York State's heart disease prevention program, she is now a full time farmer. As a shepherd and goat keeper, she takes pride in her flocks. Making goat cheese, bread, sheep shearing, spinning, dyeing wool and weaving have become special interests. Every Saturday morning she hosts "Ballads and Banjos" on WJFF. She is a regular contributor to the local weekly newspaper, The Towne Crier.

Dick Riseling’s background and academic training are in international relations, fiscal policy and social justice. Concerned about global warming and the oil crisis, he installed the first on-farm wind turbine in Sullivan County. Since then, solar hot water and solar electric systems have been added to the farm; these produce more than two-thirds  of the electicity we use. In 2005, Dick constructed a round straw bale house and converted an old diesel farm truck to run on used vegetable oil. He is a community activist on several issues: sustainable development, renewable energy, casino free development, and social justice. He offer workshops on renewable energy and private consultation on ways to install renewable energy systems in homes and businesses.

He is a skilled horse trainer and enjoys driving our teams of draft horses. At WJFF, the county's public commericial freed radio station, he hosts a weekly show called WJFF Connections which features interviews and commentary on local, national and internationl issues.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Renewable energy seminars and workshops are offered on:

Consultation on making your residence or business more energy efficient is also available.

PROGRAMS
Our education program includes:

renewable energy systems for home and business

farm tours

farming with kids

wool spinning

making goat cheese

Reservations are required to most events. Please call or e mail.

We can also take some of our programs to your location.

HOW TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE

We are convinced that if people knew nature's laws they would follow them. However, there is a consensus that our beautiful planet is being poisoned and the use of far greater natural resources than can be replenished is stealing from those who have less and those who come after us. We are responsible for removing this great challenge to the quality of all life and our relationships with each other. It is a matter of life and death.

Here is our understanding of how we may turn future developments in a positive direction:

Let us decrease our consumption of materials from the earth's crust, like fossil fuels, by using super-abundant and efficient, currently available renewable resources and technologies.

Let us use fewer synthetic compounds and commit to 100 per cent industrial and natural recycling.

Let us increase natural productivity and biological diversity by insisting on products such as organic, non-genetically engineered foods.

Let us bend our will to ensure that the natural resources and services of the planet are justly and efficiently used by being more informed, active citizens, thinking globally, acting locally.

Plant vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers

Recycle cans, bottles, paper

Buy from local merchants

Listen to great music

Share your skills

Turn off your TV

Use the library

be a Volunteer

Vote

Know that no one is silent though many are not heard. Work to change this.