Farmers will tell you if you want your veggies filled with flavor then it starts with the soil And it’s the dirt that’s proving to be the magic ingredient for an Orange County crop. Explore New York continues now in a town where you’re likely not hearing “hold the onions." Michael Howard has the story.

PINE ISLAND, N.Y. -- Just off County Route 1 in Pine Island, you’ll find Bob Scheuermann on his more than 35 acre farm, around for five generations.

“Farming is something you do for the love of it, it’s not always about the money," said Bob Scheuermann

Schummerman is just one of the hundreds of farms spread across Pine Island, nicknamed the black dirt region.

“When the crops are coming up against this black soil, the contrast of seeing the soil and them together is just absolutely beautiful," Scheuermann said.

It’s nickname comes from it’s richly organic soil, not found in most area’s in the United States.

“This soil is absolutely amazing, it works basically like a sponge. No matter how dry it is it keeps bringing moisture to the surface," said the farmer.

The valley of acres and acres of farmland formed from the decay of plants and the remains of a swamp, after glaciers melted away more than 10,000 years ago. Polish settlers came to the region and discovered it’s rare soil and started using it for farming. Now famous for it’s onions that fills the shelves of stores across the globe.

“It’s a much better onion to cook with because of it’s flavor and they’re really popular with most chefs," Scheuermann said.

It’s community doesn’t forget about why it's famous. For the last seven years, it has held the Black Dirt Feast in August, a sold-out celebration of local ingredients and food.

“Just being out in the country side looking at the farms and the landscape, it’s just soothing to the soul," said Cheetah Haysom, a Pine Island resident.

This small town with a relaxed feel is home to numerous businesses’ large and small.

“You don’t get the sort of foodie outlets, what you see is people working and producing here, just real farmers at work," said Haysom. 

“An hour and half out of Manhattan, but it’s a totally different world," Scheuermann said.