Earlybird Farm

개요

Early Bird Farm was founded by Ray and Elsie Sheldrake in 1959 on the Elmira Rd. In the beginning they sold sweet corn and vegetables that they grew on their farm. Ray Sheldrake was a noted Extension Horticulturist at Cornell University. He was a pioneer in the development of poly greenhouses and Cornell peatlite soilless mix. Elsie's love of flowers turned into a business venture when she started growing and selling flowering plants in one small greenhouse. Currently there are 10 greenhouses with a combined total of 35,000 square feet of growing space.

Ray and Elsie's son, George, is successfully running the family business. Early Bird Farm has developed into retail greenhouses and a roadside market. Plans are in the works for more growing and shopping space to provide the customers the ultimate growing experience.

The Earlybird Produce Stand is open until November. The Earlybird U-Pick is open on the weekends.
Straw is available by the bale and so are beautiful flowers.

The Ithaca Sound Maze is also up and running during the week and on weekends! The sound maze is shaped like a tree this year and is very challenging and you will find musical instruments made of farm implements and tools collected locally, and waiting to be played. As in every maze there are dead-end places where you have to turn around and start again. However, it is still the sort of maze you want to spend more time in, not the kind of maze that you just want to escape.
The Ithaca Sound Maze is open both during the week and on weekends, starting the last week of September through the final week of October. They have goodies such as maple syrup and baked goods at the entrance of the maze.
A visit to the Ithaca Sound Maze and Earlybird You Pick Pumpkin Patch is a fun way to spend a beautiful all day, get outside and in touch with nature.

TCAT bus route 67.

Ecotourism & Sustainability Map
updated 03/2012 by Ithaca - Tompkins County NY