October 22, 2023 @ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
This year’s event will offer both in-person attendance and the opportunity for virtual and live bidding through Wolf Auction Group. An animal preview will be held at 10 a.m., and the auction will start at noon.
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October 21, 2023 @ 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Now in its ninth year, Plainville Pumpkinfest is a downtown outdoor festival featuring live music, a kid’s costume parade, kid’s games, bounce houses, a large variety of food trucks, spooky haunted house, local vendors, downtown restaurants and businesses. Proceeds benefit the Plainville Community Fund.
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October 21, 2023 @ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Giant pumpkin displays, scarecrows, family activities, and more.
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October 13, 2023 @ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
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October 23 @ 8:17 AM
A free, old-fashioned country fair at Madison’s Historic Farm Bauer Park Hay and pony rides, children’s crafts, apple tasting, pumpkin painting, hay maze, live music, food tent, scarecrow making, cider press, exhibitors, and more!
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In honor of National Farmer’s Day, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and Governor Ned Lamont are asking Connecticut residents to incorporate locally grown and produced items into every meal this fall
This fall, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s (CT DoAg) CT Grown program challenges consumers across the state to “Put CT Grown On Your Plate,” a new program that asks residents to make room on their plates for Connecticut-grown or produced foods at every meal.
This program serves as a reminder to all Connecticut residents that they have the opportunity to incorporate fresh, healthy, and delicious foods into their everyday diets while also supporting the state’s agriculture and aquaculture communities.
“When you eat food that was grown in Connecticut, you are not only getting a nutritious meal, but you are also supporting your neighbors who work in Connecticut’s agriculture industry,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “With more than a hundred farmers’ markets operating across the state and dozens upon dozens of stores selling locally grown food, everyone has the opportunity to support Connecticut farmers.”
Connecticut is home to more than 5,500 farms covering more than 380,000 acres. The state’s agriculture industry supports 22,000 jobs in production, processing, or agribusiness and contributes approximately $4 billion to the state’s economy each year. With more than 100 farmers’ markets operating across the state, Connecticut consumers have access to fresh, local foods year-round. Eating local foods supports farmers and growers, bolsters the state’s economy, and greatly benefits the general public health.
“Adding CT Grown foods to your meal plans is a great way to promote healthy eating habits while supporting our state’s diverse array of farmers and producers,” said Bryan P. Hurlburt, Commissioner of CT DoAg. “Incorporating these locally grown or made foods can be as simple as packing an apple or milk in your child’s lunch box or seeking out the CT Grown logo at your local grocery store or dining venue.”
Read 10 Ways to Put CT Grown Products on Your Plate Every Day
Through a pair of programs — Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), Connecticut Grown food products are accessible to families of all income levels and budgets.
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture strongly encourages people who receive SNAP benefits to use them at farmers’ markets. Most markets accept these benefits, allowing them to be used for the purchase of fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and honey. Some markets help these benefits go even further by doubling benefits for fruit and vegetable purchases.
Most farmers’ markets in Connecticut are affiliated with FMNP, which serves participants of Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and seniors over the age of 60 and meets income eligibility guidelines with funds through an app or card to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and honey. The FMNP program is accessible between July 1 and November 30 each year.
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture, in partnership with Miranda Creative, is proud to present CT Grown Academy this fall. These free webinars will offer guidance on how Connecticut farmers and agricultural producers can improve their digital presence, allowing them to better connect with consumers online.
Joining all three webinars is recommended, but participants can also attend webinars individually. Each webinar will last approximately one hour. For more information, please contact Yana Dynia at [email protected].
Webinar One: From Farm Life to #farmlife: Social Media Marketing Basics
When: Monday, November 6th at 1 p.m.
What: Gain an understanding of how a strong social media presence can benefit your farm. The topics covered encompass establishing a social media foundation for your farm, reaching the appropriate audience, creating a comprehensive strategy for your social presence, an overview of scheduling tools, and more. The webinar also provides ample time for an extended Q&A session. Presented by Allie Bryant, the Social/Digital Brand Manager at Miranda Creative.
Webinar Two: Your Digital Multi-Tool: Using Canva Effectively For Your Farm Marketing
When: Friday, November 17th at 1 p.m.
What: Canva is a free, easy-to-use graphic design tool that lets you quickly and easily liven up the visual materials you use in your marketing. The eye-catching graphics you can create are perfect for social media posts, flyers, brochures, and more. Emily Karam, a Miranda Creative graphic designer, guides you through the process of creating and sharing images using Canva.
Webinar Three: Are Customers Finding You Online? Understanding Your Online Presence, Google SEO and Google Analytics
When: Wednesday, December 6th at 1 p.m.
What: When customers search online for fresh, locally sourced products, you want to make sure that your farm is showing up in the results. Greg Boyd, Director of Digital Media Services at Miranda Creative, discusses how you can improve the search engine optimization (SEO) of your website and use other tactics to be seen online.
October 12, 2023 @ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Enrollment in Connecticut’s Public Act 490 (PA 490) program allows open space, farmland and forests to be taxed at a lower rate. The program will provide an overview of PA 490, explain how land is classified and assessed under the program, describe the PA 490 land application process, as well as tips for maintaining the PA 490 classification.
Free for Connecticut Farm Bureau Standard members, $20 for Connecticut Farm Bureau Limited members, $40 for all others.