newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts from the “family farms” Category

Destination: Buell’s Orchard – Eastford, Connecticut

Posted on August 24, 2015

  Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Buell’s Orchard in Eastford, Connecticut is a treat!      Tucked in the countryside of the northeastern part of the state, Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner”, Buell’s can be a bit tricky to find – it’s easy to drive past the small sign indicating the turn to reach the orchard.   Upon arrival – on the day of my visit last October – it seemed like a New England fantasy oasis come to life amidst deep red, orange and yellow leaves. Alluring rich hues that enveloped the orchard turned due to the cold nights accompanied by warm days characteristic of the autumn season. In mere weeks, Buell’s is primed to look that way again as the regional late…

Fresh from the Root Seller/Comte Family Farm in Nottingham, New Hampshire

Posted on July 29, 2015

  Article by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Photos Courtesy of the Comte Family      Vegetables fresh from the Root Seller/Comte Family Farm in Nottingham, New Hampshire are clearly a taste buds delight. Folks travel to farmers markets – stretching from the New England seacoast and inland – just to get them.   “Busy, busy, busy,” that’s the word from family members about this year’s growing season.   Maple syrup production dominates the late winter and early spring here, but come planting season the Comte Family – Dan, his wife Susan and their three sons, Tyler, Andrew and Anthony – are hard at work with the fields. Potatoes, peas, carrots, radishes and a variety of beans – “naturally grown without chemical fertilizers or synthetic pesticides”,…

Farm Day at the Fish Family Farm to Benefit Lutz Children’s Museum

Posted on August 28, 2014

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Farm Day at the Fish Family Farm in Bolton, Connecticut will be held Saturday, August 30, 2014 to benefit the Lutz Children’s Museum. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will feature barn tours, a chance to ‘meet’ the animals, hayrides, a Farmer’s Market, games, face-painting, plenty of Fish Family ice cream and more. Stop inside the farm store and buy a container of ice cream to bring home.   Admission is $6 for museum members and $7 for non members. Off-site parking will be available at a nearby school. The Fish Family Farm is located at 20 Dimock Lane. Farm Day is a fundraiser for the Manchester-based Lutz Children’s Museum, a non-profit…

Hayrides & The Bennett Family Farm in New Hampshire

Posted on August 17, 2014

By: Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Among the many photos I have taken, one of my favorites I shot during my first ever hayride. It was on a gorgeous, late summer day in September of 2012, sunny, dry with a slight chill in the air – perfect sweatshirt and shorts weather – my favorite kind. I attended the Grange Fair in West Simsbury, Connecticut where they were offering free hayrides, and I decided it was high time that this New England girl get aboard to find out what it would be like firsthand.   To get started, the line of eager passengers was to climb up a small step ladder into the wagon. Thanks to my long legs the step ladder was unnecessary for me.…

“Big Johnny Always Said” – A Father’s Day Memory

Posted on June 8, 2014

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com  Years after my father’s death he is still quoted on virtually a daily basis by his children and grandchildren – affectionately known to his grand kids as “Big Johnny.” “Big Johnny always said, ‘Buy American.’”  “Big Johnny always said, ‘Never cross a picket line.’”   “Big Johnny always said, ‘Tip well, treat service sector workers with respect.’”  “Dad always said, ‘Put your emergency brake on before putting your vehicle in park to take pressure off the transmission.’” “Dad always said, ‘Turn your tires curbside out when parking.’” “Big Johnny/Dad always said, ‘Put your head up, your shoulders back and remember who you are.’” The list goes on, however, the latter is at the foundation of who he was, how we…

From “Nutty” to Nouveau – What’s The Big Deal About Organic Produce?

Posted on April 9, 2014

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Organic farming has gone from “nutty” to noveau. For the rising numbers of American consumers concerned about the use of growth hormones and application of synthetic organic pesticides in conventional produce, and preservation of American farms, now is the time of year to shop for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) organic farm to join. “It’s not a movement – yet,” said one customer at the George Hall Farm in Connecticut’s Farmington Valley last summer. But she predicted organic produce is the way of the future. Like his fellow organic farmers, Darren Cugno, owner of Cugno’s Farm in Colchester, Connecticut is convinced that organic produce is not only better but that conventional fruits and vegetables can be downright…

Destination: Brown’s Harvest in Windsor, CT a Delightful Autumn Tradition

Posted on October 27, 2013

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb There could not be a more delightful destination this time of year then Brown’s Harvest in Windsor, Connecticut. The pumpkin patch attracts visitors from throughout Connecticut and beyond. In fact, many people say an autumn stop at Brown’s is an annual tradition. “I’ve been bringing them here since they were little tykes,” Rich Massaro of Windsor Locks said about his son and daughter Zack and Lexi during their October 26 visit to Brown’s. “I like the hayrides and picking out pumpkins,” noted Lexi. Eleven- month–old Lucas Smith’s parents live in Enfield and brought him to the farm to pick out baby’s first pumpkin. Meanwhile, Fernando of Manchester came with his 4-year-old daughter Makayla who was having her…

Destination: Johnny Appleseed’s Autumn Farmstand Ellington Ct

Posted on September 26, 2013

Write -Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Johnny Appleseed’s Farm on Route 83 in Ellington is among the popular autumn farmstands abundant throughout the Connecticut countryside this time of year. Perched on a hillside just off the road, an “open” flag greets customers to this small outdoor market situated not far from the farm’s apple orchards which pre-schoolers can tour on pre-arranged field trips; and U-PICK-APPLE-DATES are available.  Opened daily at 9 a.m. until Thanksgiving, the Ellington stand makes a lovely Saturday or Sunday drive. In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, they have hardy mums and plenty of pumpkins and cornstalks. They sell their own jams and jellies, as well as, Connecticut made maple syrup and honey. They also offer Connecticut made…

Colchester Connecticut Farmer’s Market Growing

Posted on July 8, 2013

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb  Now in its fourth year, the Colchester Farmer’s Market is growing and is in a new location on the Colchester Town Green. The expansion is good news for Connecticut grown produce and appears to mirror a statewide trend. “This is our fourth year. Every year this market has grown twenty-five percent and this year I expect it to grow fifty percent,” said Jeff Savitsky, market master, during an interview July 7. “Everybody seems to be more interested in their health and people want to know where their food is coming from,” added Savitsky “and its putting money back into the local economy.” A fourth generation farmer, Savitsky’s farm is called Lake Hayward Farm and is part of…

Life Is Sweet At Comte Family Farm – 18th Annual New Hampshire Maple Weekend

Posted on March 24, 2013

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Life is sweet at the Comte Family Farm/Root Seller in Nottingham, New Hamphire. As part of the 18th annual New Hampshire Maple Weekend, visitors to the farm’s sugarhouse had a chance to sample just how sweet it is – literally. Among the 110 sugarhouses throughout the Granite State participating in the maple weekend held March 23 and 24, the Comte family – Dan, Susan and their three sons, Tyler, Andrew and Anthony – hospitably greeted those who stopped by for a firsthand look at how maple sap becomes syrup.   Maple sugaring is a growing part of the family-owned and operated farm business and a learning experience for the three boys who help with all aspects…