Life in Augusta centers on farming, horses and quiet country roads
Augusta is a small rural town known for its Amish community and family farms. It includes the quiet village of Oriskany Falls, which has a handful of commercial establishments. Life centers around the land — living on acres, hunting, riding horses, producing crops and dairy. While neighbors have space and privacy, people look out for each other. “If a farmer loses a barn to a fire, the Amish will show up and throw a new barn up in a day or two," says Colette Gleason, who owns the nearby Maple Hedge Farms. While remote, Augusta is not out of touch. “It's not like we’re out in the middle of nowhere and no one knows you exist. When you say between Oneida and Hamilton, people go, “Oh!” We're not that far off the grid." Gleason adds that the main draw here is the peaceful country lifestyle.
Acres of land for homesteaders and horseback riders
A rolling landscape, framed by farmland and forest, creates the backdrop of life here. Cape Cod, Colonial Revival and ranch-style residences are connected by country roads. Properties may be on anywhere from a quarter of an acre to more than 10 or even 30 acres. Some come with horse barns, fenced-in pastures and chicken coops. Modest homes and those requiring renovation start from around $84,000 to $245,000. Larger homes on multiple acres command a higher range, from roughly $300,000 to $650,000.
Grade school through two districts, and private colleges nearby
Students may be part of either Waterville Central School District or Madison Central School District. Madison Central School District educates all grade levels at Madison Central School, which earns a C-rating from Niche. Waterville Central School District has two schools; Memorial Park Elementary School, rated B-minus, and Waterville Junior/Senior High School with a C-plus. Memorial Elementary School offers four extra-curricular clubs. In one, the MPS Milers, students stay after school as adults guide them through walks or runs, encouraging a love of exercise. Hamilton College and Colgate University, both private liberal arts colleges, are within 15 miles.
Diverse recreation in Oneida County
Hunting, fishing, golfing and hiking are popular pastimes. Barker Brook Golf Club is local, offering a championship course that's open to the public. Families frequent Maple Ave Park for its baseball field, playground and picnic tables. Vernon National Shooting Preserve is just outside town for hunting and target practice. Less than 9 miles away, Maple Hedge Farms guides horseback trail rides across 200 acres. "I like to keep my rides smaller and give some wiggle room so if there are kids, they can pet the horses, brush them and give them a carrot," Gleason says. "In the wintertime, we do sleigh rides. I have a big sleigh that will hold 12 to 15 people; I call it my party wagon." She adds that Leland Ponds, around 10 miles away, is a favorite with local anglers. Chittenango Falls State Park is within 20 miles and known for its over 160-foot waterfall.
Route 26 links the rural community to urban conveniences
While Augusta is rural, the bigger cities of Utica, Oneida and Rome are within 20 miles, and Syracuse is less than 50 miles away. New York State Route 26 is the main artery through town. Horse and buggy crossing signs alert local travelers to be mindful.
Places to dine and buy fresh produce in town, more options nearby
Founded almost 40 years ago by a local couple, Mario’s Pizzeria is a community staple. For buttermilk pancakes and a hearty lunch, people head to Tallman’s Coffee Shop. Surrounding farms sell their goods locally. “There are a lot of pop-up baked goods and produce stands,” Gleason says. She says people are particularly excited about Augusta Produce Auction, an Amish-run stand that launched in August 2025. More options exist in surrounding small communities and nearby bigger cities. The Commissary on 20, less than 8 miles away in Madison, is known for its Friday fish fry and Saturday comfort food specials. Madison also has a popular antique store. Hamilton is within 12 miles for a historic, walkable downtown area with a range of local businesses. Locals can access familiar chains between Oneida, Utica and Rome, including Price Chopper, Aldi, Marshalls and Walmart Supercenter.
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Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
