The rich bottomlands of the lower Esopus, extending from Tongore Road in Marbletown to Kings Highway in Saugerties, have been
farmed for seven centuries. These fertile soils were cleared and planted with maize by the Lenape and attracted European settlers to the area in the mid-17th century, enabling them to thrive. Today, the Esopus Creek lowlands continue to be cultivated, contributing to the local economy. The creek is vital to the agricultural community as a source of water for crop irrigation. Most of the farm acreage bordering the creek and its tributaries are planted in sweet corn, replacing dairy as the main commercial commodity. Vegetables, hay, and flowers are also grown. The wooded slopes of the watershed, dense with maple trees, support maple syrup production. Here are a few examples of the harvest from the area: