A real estate developer transforms Ulster County farmland into a dining and events destination.
Imagine you’re cruising the scenic countryside of Ulster County and after passing through charming towns such as New Paltz and Rosendale, you veer off to quieter side streets until you arrive at your final destination: an inconspicuous driveway that leads you to Callisto Farm, 63 acres in High Falls that’s fast becoming a hub for pop-up experiences and events in the Hudson Valley.
Callisto is named after a follower of Artemis, the Greek goddess of wild animals, the hunt, vegetation, and childbirth.
“Callisto is a farm and gathering space,” explains founder Amalia Graziani, who named the property after a Greek nymph. A real estate developer and CEO/principal at the NYC-based Noor Property Group, Graziani, who is in her early 30s, started her career with projects in the Hamptons, Manhattan, and San Francisco after studying real estate development and architecture at Columbia University and securing her MBA from NYU Stern.
“My [experience] in real estate makes this dream possible,” adds Graziani. While she often travels to the city for work, she considers High Falls her home base, and the perfect location to make her longtime dream come to life.
I’ve always imagined that my retirement would involve farming, keeping animals, and growing flowers, but when I passed the yellow barns, my dream was fast-tracked.
“I have loved playing in the dirt and working with plants ever since I was a child,” says Graziani, who was born and raised in San Francisco. “I grew up helping out in the garden, and I began my agricultural education at the community garden during my undergraduate studies. I’ve always imagined that my retirement would involve farming, keeping animals, and growing flowers, but when I passed the yellow barns that are now the central hub of the property, my dream was fast-tracked. There is something so special about this land, and I knew I had to find a way to create something here.”
So how did Graziani make Callisto happen? Well first, she spent three years working on restoring arability and increasing biodiversity. Graziani repaired the acreage, ground water systems, and structures on the 1800s dairy farm, which features an eye-catching Dutch barn with an arched roof. By 2023 her efforts paid off, with the orchard fruiting and flowers and vegetables growing more abundantly.
Today, the farm’s bounty can be found across the Hudson Valley. Callisto’s honey is a mainstay on shelves at Black Dot in Stone Ridge, Little King in Beacon, and Camp Kingston. Graziani and her team sell produce to restaurants and cafés and use it for event programming on the farm.
Now, Graziani is excited to welcome others to experience the magic of Callisto Farm. Already, she’s opened the farm’s doors via several pop-up dining experiences. As someone who aims to support local artisans, chefs, and makers, she enjoys the chance to collaborate with other creatives. She has welcomed talented chefs like Hudson Valley-based Lee Kalpakis and Tony Ortiz of CAMPO, a Latinx culinary experience. Last September brought a Lebanese culinary exploration by Chef Edy Massih of Edy’s Grocer, as well as a traditional Argentine asado (grilled meats) by The Modestos.
“The dinner series came from [people asking] to visit and spend time on the farm,” explains Graziani. “There’s a real eagerness to connect with land and produce, and it’s been meaningful to see people’s faces light up walking the fields, foraging in the forests, and eating from the garden. The dinner series was born from a desire to offer this at scale.”
The series is a huge success, with dinners often selling out well in advance, and Graziani looks forward to continuing to expand offerings. She recognizes the Hudson Valley as a “special place” for food, thanks to the abundance of talented farmers and purveyors in the region, so she hopes to highlight and support them as much as she can through the dinners. Even the details and décor get the local touch—she sources ceramics from area artists and shops textiles and libations from regional makers as well.
The farm’s 2024 summer season kicked off on June 1 with a pizza party by caterer Promises Kept.
“There’s so much possibility here,” she observes. “My intention for the future is to let the property highlight the work of many talented creators, and offer something of value to the community.”
For more info and upcoming events, follow @callistohudsonvalley on IG.
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