CT 10% Campaign Update
Big News!!! We've surpassed $1 Million tracked with the CT 10% Campaign.
September Tracking Incentive
Track your locally produced/caught purchases this month for a chance to win the September
tracking incentive, 2 free tickets to the "Frankenstein" Corn Maze and fall activities at Scantic Valley Farm in Somers, CT!
A campaign participant that has tracked consistently throughout the month of September will be notified the first week of October.
We asked our August Tracker of the month, Carol P. of New Haven County a couple questions about why she buys local! Here's what she had to say:
Why is it important to you to be part of the 10% Campaign?
My favorite place to find CT grown products is Clover Nook farm in Bethany, Hindinger's farm in Hamden and my own garden in my backyard. I also always purchase The Farmer's Cow products at the grocery store.
What's one of your favorite places to find CT grown products?
It is important to me to purchase fresh, healthy locally grown vegetables, fruits, milk, and eggs. I grew up on a farm in Meriden and knowing what hard work it is I want to support the local farms and dairies.
Questions about tracking or activating? Email us
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Featured Product - Mums @ WaterField Farms
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Liz Cecarelli and her team at WaterField Farms and Eve's CSA and the season's bounty.
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Tis the season of pumpkins and mums! We contacted Liz at WaterField Farms (also grower/farmer extraordinaire of Eve's CSA) and asked her about their farm in Bethany, CT. Liz with her husband Eric, father-in-law Pete and crew stay very busy with both the wholesale greenhouse crops and summer veggies distributed through their CSA. Here's a peek at this week's feature:
What's 'growing on' at your farm this fall?
Its mums and pumpkins right now! The mums are spectacular this year and we're nearly sold out already. The pumpkins - carving, sugar, mini, and the "weird" - are just so much fun and they have come in great as well. We offer a great selection of items - 95% of which are sourced from within the state. We bring everything "all under one roof" so our garden centers can get what they need in one spot.
Tell us about your CT grown plant tags and why it was important to you to brand your plants.
This past spring, the idea came up because we want to be recognizable to our customers (the garden centers) and their customers (homeowners and home gardeners). A plant is a plant, but when you realize that a farm nearby you grows it, it's a world of difference! Local has always been something we've held dear because we are truly keeping a "closed circuit" by growing here and selling here. When we do sell out of state, it's still close enough that it can be appreciated.
We did a trial run with our labels this year on our organic line of veggies grown in CowPots. Everything just started to "come together" with the concept for the label being focused around Connecticut Grown. We hope to expand with this in upcoming seasons.
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Upcoming Events
September 18, 2014
"The Vegan Table" Max Chef to Farm Dinner @ Rosedale Farms & Vineyard
Simsbury
Our Chef to Farm dinner series is an opportunity for our guests to enjoy the freshest foods and produce in the sublime beauty of Our Farms, the true treasures of the state. Your evening begins with a wine tasting reception with the guest winemaker; then you'll head out for a tour of the farm Read more>>
September 26, 2014
Equestrian Night @ Bozrah Farmers Market
Bozrah
First ever! Saddle up and enjoy the scenic view of all things Equestrian as you climb aboard a horse and carriage ride thanks to Bozrah's own Happy Landings Farm & New England Carriage Imports. Behind the Maples Farm Homestead guests will include: Blue Hill Donkeys, Carol A. Watson Art, High... Read more >>
September 27, 2014
Natureworks Free Garden Talk
Northford Hydrangeas Demystified and Dried 2014 was a tough year for many hydrangea plants. The severely cold winter caused some of them to lose their older blooming wood and flower buds. What's a gardener to do? Nancy will talk about how to care for all the various types of hydrangea: Native oak leaf and... Read more >>
September 27, 2014
Over the Hills & Through the Woods Walk
Thompson The Farmer's Farm and Fort Hill Farms kick off The Last Green Valley's Walktober. Go over the hills in a tethered balloon ride and through the woods on a historic walk through the Maple Grove Lane Way. Read more >>
September 28, 2014
Ridgefield Annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off
Ridgefield Ridgefield's Ballard Park will be converted to a festival on September 28th. Giant Pumpkin Growers from all over the region will take part in a competition for heaviest pumpkin, squash and longest gourd. Vendor booths will be themed to support the economy of this "harvest season." Enjoy musical... Read more >>
October 01, 2014
Fairy Garden Spooktacular
Southington Due to popular demand, our Fairy Garden Spooktacular is back! Create your own Fairy Garden with a spooky twist! Learn the basics of miniature gardening then build a Halloween-themed garden which can be kept indoors. Cost of the class is $60 per kit, which includes a planter box, soil, 3 Fairy... Read more >>
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October 04, 2014
Local CT Farms @ work- Fairfield County
Monroe
Farm Bureau Local Connecticut Farms at Work Tour visits 3 Fairfield County Farms Saturday, October 4 leaving from Monroe at 8:30 AM For just $45 per person, this adults-only tour of three farming operations will give you a glimpse into the working lives of Connecticut's farming families. Guided... Read more >>
October 04, 2014 to October 05, 2014
5th Annual Bulbs for Breast Cancer
Northford 5th annual Bulbs for Breast Cancer Fundraiser on Saturday, October 4th, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday, October, 5th, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. This year's event will feature an Artist Fair on Saturday from 9:00 to 2:00 pm. We have invited some of our favorite local craftspeople and a food truck to... Read more >>
October 04, 2014 to October 05, 2014
"CT at Work" Annual Fall Tyme Festival
Franklin Bring the Family! Bring your Friends! Enjoy a day on the farm like it used to be! Draft horse, working steer and donkeysFarmers Market Cow milking and Animal parade Water piping Hay baler, thresher, treadmill Spinning, weaving, blacksmithing Apple pie and butter making Pie eating contest Antique...
October 04, 2014
Meet the Producer Day
Manchester Stop into CCC Farm Stand and Market at 35 Oakland Street in Manchester on Saturday, October 4, 2014 from 10 am to 4 pm for "Meet the Producer Day" to get the chance to meet the farmers and producers who bring you only the freshest CT grown and manufactured products. Try samples of milk, like... Read more >>
October 04, 2014
Moos and More Walktober Farm Tour
North Franklin Enjoy an old-fashioned ice cream social and Walktober hike at Cushman Farms with The Farmer's Cow and the Cushman and Smith families. Hayrides around the fields and through the barns, visit the cows and tour the milking facility with a unique "merry-go-round" that milks 30 cows at a time.
October 04, 2014
Harvest Grape Stomp at Sunset Meadow Vineyards
Goshen Join us as we celebrate our grape harvest with our Annual Harvest Grape Stomp at Sunset Meadow Vineyards. Read more >>
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Farm Bureau hosts Local Connecticut Farms at Work Tour
Included on this farm tour: Sepe Farm, Norm Bloom and Son and Jones Family Farms.
The Women's Leadership Committee of the Connecticut Farm Bureau welcome you to the
Farm Bureau Local Connecticut Farms at Work Tour.
There will be three farm stops in Fairfield County, plus a Connecticut-grown lunch and dinner. Take all day to explore the agricultural side of southwestern Connecticut's local farms to get a glimpse into the lifestyles and working life of three farming families.
Tour starts at 8:30 am, Saturday, October 4 beginning and ending at the Harmony Grange Hall, 2 Shelton Rd. (intersection Rtes. 111 and 110) in Monroe. Full day of three farm visits, including a boat ride on Long Island Sound, lunch, wine tasting and dinner costs just $45 per person!
Adults only, please.
Make your reservation here
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Our Fall Top 10 is up! Here's the first 5 on the list:
1. APPLES are in season! Collect your Pick Your Own Crop Card at one of the participating orchards and/or farms. What's fresher and better than picking your own fruit and visiting a CT farm?
2. Visit a CT Corn Maze! We've made a quick link on buyctgrown.com to make it even easier to find a corn maze near you. Some of our favorites include Scantic Valley Farm in Somers, Ekonk Hill in Sterling and Fort Hills Farm in Thompson.
3. It's not fall in CT if pumpkins aren't included. Whether you eat them, carve them, picture them or weigh them! Consider adding the Ridgefield Annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off on September 28th to your fall festivities!
4. Artisan Cheese Festival and Potter's Market on October 5th @ Coventry Regional Farmers Market. We can't think of a better reason to have a festival than for cheese...but then again, there is the Garlic and Harvest Festival on October 11th & 12th in Bethlehem. Both seasonal and delectable ways to celebrate the season in CT!
5. Brussel Sprouts! Did you know that brussel sprouts actually are sweeter tasting after a frost? Tis the season that farmers are going to start harvesting brussel sprouts! Be on the look out for full stalks of these green wonders at your farmers market or retail stand.
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