Connecticut’s agricultural scene stays energetic with cut-your-own Christmas bushes, winter farmers’ markets, reward choices, and extra

HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — As the vacation season approaches, the Connecticut Division of Agriculture is encouraging residents and guests to assist their native farmers and producers, and is providing 5 methods to make CT Grown a part of their celebrations.

Many farms stay energetic all through the autumn and winter seasons — offering recent and domestically made merchandise to shoppers, internet hosting festivals and different occasions. Folks may assist Connecticut’s agricultural and aquaculture sectors by together with native farms and producers of their meals and reward purchases for vacation events.

“Connecticut farmers supply memorable experiences in the course of the winter months, together with cut-your-own Christmas bushes, festive vacation workshops, and winter farmers’ markets and farm stands that may provide you with the substances for a vacation meal or a singular, high quality reward for somebody,” mentioned Jaime Smith, Bureau Director for Ag Improvement and Useful resource Conservation on the Connecticut Division of Agriculture. “And, when you’ve completed your vacation purchasing, discover time to loosen up with a glass of CT Grown farm wine or beer.”

Folks can assist Connecticut farmers and producers by:

1. Visiting a winter farmers’ market

Outside farmers’ markets wind down within the autumn, and a few will not return till the summer time. Nonetheless, many farmers’ markets lengthen their season by holding indoor winter farmers’ markets. These markets are typically held frequently, and different instances as a single particular occasion for the vacations.

The CT Grown calendar lists 32 upcoming winter farmers’ markets, together with 21 recurring occasions and 11 one-time markets.

Winter farmers’ markets proceed to supply a wide range of recent produce attributable to ongoing harvesting seasons within the area, chilly storage, hydroponics, or aquaponics. Additionally they embrace CT Grown merchandise out there year-round, in addition to specialties equivalent to ready meals. For extra data on winter farmers’ markets, click on right here.

2. Including CT Grown to your vacation reward record

Connecticut’s agricultural output is not restricted to meals objects. Our state has a vibrant fiber business, with farms elevating sheep, alpacas, llamas, and Angora goats. The wool from these animals is then processed as yarn, which is used for merchandise like blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, socks, and rugs.

CT Grown forest merchandise made with timber grown and harvested sustainably from Connecticut’s woodlands have been used to craft artisan objects equivalent to furnishings, bowls, pencils, and pens.

3. Visiting a Connecticut Christmas tree farm

Make it a household custom to pick an exquisite Christmas tree at a Connecticut farm. These venues normally go the additional mile to make the event one to sit up for, providing hayrides, sizzling mulled cider, home made cookies, and different delights.

Christmas tree cultivators are maybe probably the most affected person farmers in Connecticut, because it takes six to 10 years for a tree to be prepared to reap after it’s planted. There are greater than 100 Christmas tree farms in Connecticut, a lot of which have been handed down by way of a number of generations, and so they promote roughly 150,000 bushes a 12 months.

4. Buying CT Grown merchandise year-round

CT Grown meat and aquaculture producers supply their merchandise year-round, supplying you with ample alternative to search out recent turkey, pork, beef, shellfish, dairy merchandise, and extra on your vacation feast.

Farmers supply extra in the way in which of ready and value-added merchandise in the course of the vacation season, changing a part of their harvest to shelf-stable objects that stay recent in November and December. These embrace pies, jams, jellies, sauces, and salsas.

Grownup drinks are additionally out there year-round. Tasting rooms keep open at many wineries to supply vintages from Connecticut Wine Nation, and Connecticut’s brewers and distillers proceed to supply beers and spirits — usually utilizing merchandise from native farms within the course of.

To be taught extra about Connecticut’s year-round merchandise, go to our crop calendar.

5. Attending a Connecticut farm occasion

Some farms proceed to carry public occasions and choices into the winter. Farmers give you a wide range of engaging choices with occasions like cooking courses and wreath-making workshops. As soon as sufficient snow is on the bottom, you too can discover alternatives to take a horse-drawn sleigh experience.

“Connecticut’s agricultural producers are nonetheless very a lot exhausting at work within the winter,” mentioned Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “By visiting these farms and buying their merchandise, you may be taught extra about their farms, benefit from the freshest meals in the marketplace, and discover distinctive presents and experiences. This 12 months, be sure to incorporate CT Grown as a part of your holidays.”

SOURCE CT Dept. of Agriculture