As lumbering cleared the thick forests, farming grew into a local industry. By 1880, more than 60 farms covered almost 7,000 acres in the township. Major crops were buckwheat, oats, rye, potatoes, wheat, corn, and hay. Farm produce, dairy, poultry, and eggs were sold to local users and the resort industry. Yields were also shipped by rail to the coal fields and Metro New York. A 400 acre farm was operated here by the Austin T. Blakeslee family from the mid-1800's to the 1960's.