Small Biz Spotlight: Our Favorite CT Farms
We’ve confessed our love of farms (and farmers) before, and today we’re shining the Small Biz Spotlight on some of our favorite farms in Connecticut!
This was one of our hardest posts to write because when it comes to farms, we’re spoiled for choice. Farm Flavor and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture report there are “5,521 farms spread across 381,539 acres – each averaging about 69 acres” in Connecticut. These aren’t just hobby farms either; the agriculture industry contributes over $4 billion to Connecticut’s economy every year and provides over 20,000 jobs.
Beyond the obvious benefit to Connecticut’s economy, farms that adhere to regenerative practices can also increase natural habitat, encourage native pollinators, birds, and insects, provide food security for local communities, and even help reverse climate change.
So what are you waiting for? Support local farms today!
Candlewood Valley Mushrooms – Brookfield, CT
Listen, I’m not a hiker, but when my partner started searching for edible mushrooms, I suddenly found myself happily trekking many miles in search of morels, black trumpets, and maitake. Clearly, I am food-motivated.
For those who don’t have a farmer/forager in their life but love fungi, allow me to introduce Candlewood Valley Mushrooms, a fabulous mushroom farm in western CT. Candlewood sells dried gourmet mushrooms you won’t find in the grocery store, medicinal mushrooms like Chaga, Lion’s Mane, and Reishi, and even supplies to grow your own mushrooms at home. Check out their website for information on how to clean, prepare, and store mushrooms – plus a wealth of delicious mushroom-based recipes – and follow them on Instagram for more facts, foraging tips, and stunning mushroom pics.
Chanticleer Acres – Litchfield, CT
Disclaimer: my aforementioned partner Stephen is the Head Grower of this farm, so I might be a little bit biased! That said, Chanticleer Acres really has something for everyone. In addition to fresh, sustainably grown produce you can purchase from their farm stand, the farm has a bevy of egg-laying chickens – and adorable chicks!! – pastoral fields, pick-your-own flower beds, an adult tree-house, hundreds of inoculated mushroom logs, and they’re building a food forest based on permaculture principles. The brainchild of “itinerant filmmaker” Harvey Hubbell V, Chanticleer Acres is also a hub of creativity. Check out this video starring Stephen and our buddy Eli for a prime example of agritainment. To keep up with the latest happenings on the farm, follow Chanticleer Acres on Instagram and subscribe to Seedling TV on Youtube.
Earth’s Palate Farm – Warren, CT
This family farm is one of my favorite places to shop for fresh produce, ethically-raised meat, and French patisserie. That’s right, you can get a slab of the best-tasting pork belly you’ve ever had and an authentic French croissant all at once. In the truest definition of couple goals, Renee handles the farm and runs the Northwest Connecticut Food Hub, while her husband Kevin whips up artisanal confections in the kitchen. Adopt me, Renee and Kevin! Subscribe to the Warren Grown CSA to order their year-round offerings, and follow Earth’s Palate Farm on Instagram.
Thorncrest Farm – Goshen, CT
If you have a sweet tooth, you’re going to lose your mind over the chocolates and caramels coming out of Thorncrest Farm. This family-run dairy farm is home to a bevy of beautiful bovines, all of whom have names, personalities, and distinct milks carefully selected for Thorncrest’s various products – seriously, when you buy a carton of milk, the names of the participating cows are listed on the bottle, and many of their chocolates are created from “Single Cow” dairy! The dairy comes from happy cows, too. “The whole barn is designed for flavor, and flavor comes from lack of stress,” says Clint Thorn. “Any kind of stress shows up right away in the milk… that’s my job, to keep the cows really stress-free.”
Since discovering Thorncrest last year, it’s become my one-stop shop for amazing gifts, luscious dairy products – like Vanilla Milk! – and candy for my personal stash. You really can’t go wrong with any of their sweet treats, but my favorites are Daydream’s caramels, Daydream’s roasted pecan, carmel turtles (Daydream is the MVP), and the small-batch chocolate bars. Follow Thorncrest Farm on Instagram to learn more about the artisanal chocolates and meet the cows responsible for them.
Vibrant Farm – Bantam, CT
Founded in 2020, Vibrant Farm is a new and exciting endeavor on a beautiful hilltop property in Bantam. Young farmers Meghan and Curtis specialize in four-season vegetables – like greens, herbs, and salad veggies – berries, and unique seasonal offerings, all produced under Certified Naturally Grown certification. Customers can preorder on their website for grab-and-go pickup, or shop in-person at the Litchfield Farmers Market. They also have a fantastic local CSA program for those looking to access their products at a discount, shop their full list of produce, live plants and seedlings, and pick up from the farm in Bantam. Check out their Instagram for pictures of verdant greens, recipe ideas, and BTS farming content.
Urban Farming Organizations
Rural farms are great, but I’d be remiss not to shout out some of the amazing organizations helping to bring sustainable agriculture into more urban environments and educate communities on food justice.
Common Ground High School – This New Haven charter school has been educating the next generation of farmers and environmental activists since 1997. Over the years they’ve expanded to include job training and healthy cooking workshops, after-school programs, summer camps, and more.
Grow Hartford Youth Program – A product of the Hartford Food System, Grow Hartford is a youth-led program that advocates for social justice, promotes equality, and brings awareness to issues impacting the food system in Hartford and beyond. In addition to their popular summer program, Grow Hartford also runs an academic year program that meets 5-7 hours a week for workshops, leadership training, community organizing, and educational programs promoting food justice.
KNOX Hartford – KNOX has been transforming vacant lots in Hartford into gardens since 1972. They now farm 20 community gardens and combat food insecurity in Hartford by serving over 300 local families. If you’re a farmer with extra produce, KNOX also partners with Hands on Hartford to collect, process, and distribute donations for their food pantry.
We’ve said it a zillion times now, but we really do love farms – and we would love to take your farm to the next level. Whether you need help designing a website, establishing your social media presence, curating an e-newsletter, or writing blog content about your farm, we’d be thrilled to be a part of your solution.
Email me today to schedule your complimentary consultation with Quiet Corner Communications.
