The CT Grown Blog
How Sweet It Is! Maple Sugaring Season in Connecticut
Late winter is a time when you might notice metal buckets on trees and smoke billowing from rural sugarhouses — sure signs that sugaring season has returned to Connecticut. The Maple Syrup Producers Association of Connecticut holds an annual celebration of sugaring season with Maple Weekend, which occurs this year on March 18th and 19th. […]
Read MoreCT Grown Tips to Prepare Your Garden for Spring
Winter is the best time to start planning the next season for your garden, but time is quickly running out! Whether you’re starting a new home garden or reviving an existing one, these steps will help ensure a productive spring. Helpful Resources
Read MoreBlack Farmers in Connecticut Working Toward a More Inclusive CT Grown Future
As part of Black History Month, we’re highlighting how Connecticut’s Black-owned farms are planting the seeds for the state’s agricultural future. In addition to providing CT Grown products for the market, Black farmers are often actively involved in nonprofit groups working to improve access to fresh food in Connecticut’s cities through urban farms, community gardens, […]
Read MoreIndoor Farming Series: Flowers, Tomatoes, and More from CT Grown Greenhouses
Don’t assume that a farm is closed to customers just because it’s winter. If the CT Grown farm near you has greenhouses on the property, they’ll likely still have their products available at their farm store, or at a winter farmers’ market or grocery store. Greenhouses play a major role in sustaining CT Grown products […]
Read MoreIndoor Farming Series: Cooking with CT Grown Mushrooms
Whether you use them in a stir fry, on a pizza, or with a meat entree, mushrooms are a terrific way to add extra flavor and nutrients to a dish. And you don’t have to go far to find them — mushrooms are a CT Grown crop whose harvest season never ends! Mushrooms thrive in […]
Read MoreIndoor Farming Series: Find Fresh CT Grown Crops This Winter
Are you in the mood for fresh, local produce but don’t think you’ll be able to get it until Connecticut’s fields and gardens come out of hibernation? Think again! With farmers increasingly taking advantage of indoor farming, you can find CT Grown fruits and vegetables throughout the winter. In this series of articles, we explore […]
Read MoreMeat, Flowers…Seaweed? Explore CT Grown’s Non-Traditional CSA Options
“I don’t think I need a box of vegetables every week.” It’s a leading concern we hear from people who aren’t sure if they’ll benefit from joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. They worry that their CSA will have more vegetables than they can use each week (or that it won’t have the kind […]
Read MoreCT Grown CSAs: A Win-Win for Farmers and Consumers
Everything You Need to Know About Connecticut CSAs Farmers may be less visible during the winter months, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t hard at work. Some, like dairy and livestock farmers, continue to bring products to stores and markets year-round. Those that rely primarily on crop sales spend the winter buying seeds, upgrading equipment, […]
Read MorePick CT Grown for Your Holiday Meal Traditions!
No matter how you recognize the holiday season, feasting is a big part of the occasion. When families come together, the dinner table is the perfect place to celebrate with loved ones over a rich and hearty meal. Holiday meal traditions go back generations, and fresh CT Grown ingredients can easily be used for many […]
Read MoreLights, Camera, Christmas in Connecticut RECIPES!
The holiday season brings an onrush of classic holiday films, ranging from It’s a Wonderful Life and Frosty the Snowman to more recent movies like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Elf. Every family has a few favorites they like to cozy up with in the leadup to Christmas. The 1945 romantic comedy Christmas in Connecticut […]
Read MoreThis Year, Pick CT Grown for Your Holiday Shopping
Part of the fun (and frustration) of holiday shopping is finding the right gift for everyone on your list. While checking out your local businesses this season, don’t forget to include Connecticut farmers and producers! You can find excellent gift options at winter farmers’ markets, and at farm stores and websites. Here are a few […]
Read MoreWhy You Should Shop Early for a CT Grown Christmas Tree This Year
Christmas seems to arrive earlier each year. Store displays of yuletide decorations go up as soon as Halloween is over or sometimes even sooner. While these Christmas displays may seem premature, this year they offer a helpful reminder to make plans to visit a CT Grown Christmas tree farm. Many farms have opened earlier than […]
Read MoreGet Cozy With CT Grown This Winter — Bundle Up in Warm Sweaters, Stoke the Fires, and More
Winter is coming in Connecticut. While some CT Grown farmers are continuing their growing seasons and attending winter farmers’ markets, others have closed their farm stands until next year and are focusing on other essential work like ordering seeds and maintaining machinery. But your support for CT Grown products doesn’t have to stop at what’s […]
Read MoreYour Holiday Wine Guide from Connecticut Wine Country
Finding the perfect Thanksgiving wines You wouldn’t settle for just one course for your Thanksgiving dinner. So why limit your selection of wines? Having at least three different options available will let you have the perfect wine for every part of the occasion. The farm wineries and vineyards in Connecticut Wine Country have plenty of […]
Read MoreMoving Inside: CT Grown Winter Markets Keep Fresh Food in Stock During the Cold Months
New Englanders are a hardy people, often stubbornly so. When cold weather arrives, we see no reason to give up the activities we’ve enjoyed in the summer and autumn. We may put on an extra layer or two, but we’ll still visit the beach, fire up the grill, or even head out on a bike […]
Read MoreSix Fresh Ideas for CT Grown Halloween Party Treats
An excuse to play dress-up, put up decorations, and eat sweet treats? No wonder we love Halloween so much. Halloween is also a great time to throw a party, bringing together family and friends to enjoy spooky-themed dishes and see who can come up with the most creative costume. Whether you’re planning a party for […]
Read MoreOut of Our Shell – It’s National Seafood Month and We’re Recognizing CT Grown Aquaculture
More than 31 million oysters were harvested commercially from 60,000 acres of shellfish beds along the Connecticut coast in 2019. For those keeping count, that’s about 9 oysters for every single resident in our agriculture and aquaculture-rich state. “Connecticut is fortunate to have such robust aquaculture resources that have been protected through the wise actions […]
Read MoreFarm Breweries and Connecticut Farmers: The Perfect Pairing
When you think CT Grown, you might not picture a frosty glass of local beer. Yet the boom in craft breweries has led to increased demand for local ingredients, which in turn has helped strengthen associated agricultural enterprises in Connecticut who grow the products brewers need. After a short-lived renaissance in the mid-90s, craft beer […]
Read MoreThe Buzz About Connecticut Honey
September marks the time of year when honey collection winds down and beehives are prepared for the winter. The month is observed as National Honey Month, and we’d like to take the opportunity to recognize the vital role beekeepers serve in sustaining Connecticut agriculture, while increasing biodiversity and food security. Beekeeping has been part of […]
Read MoreFind Yourself While Getting Lost in the Corn Mazes of CT Grown
Dappled sunlight. Distant laughter. The unique rustle of cornstalks in an early autumn breeze. We wait all year for the annual tradition of corn mazes and every year, CT Grown farms deliver the best experiences for families from throughout New England. This year, more than ever, our farmers are ready to welcome familiar faces and […]
Read MoreMake CT Grown Food Part of Your Back-to-School Eating Habits
Brace yourself, parents. The whirlwind school day mornings are almost here. School days are often accompanied by a mad scramble to make sure your kids have everything they need, and that they haven’t somehow tied their shoes together. It’s tempting to hasten the process of preparing a lunch by simply throwing a few packaged items […]
Read MoreCelebrate Farmers’ Market Week and Support Your Local Farmers
There’s no better time to visit your local farmers’ market — not only to support the farms in your community — but to also enjoy local, fresh and healthy foods and high-quality products available at affordable prices. And with more than 100 certified farmers’ markets and farm stands located throughout Connecticut — you are sure to find a great farmers’ market right in your community.
Read MoreConnecticut Agricultural Fairs — Where to Find the Fun
Discover our 2022 list of fun and exciting CT agricultural fairs and events. Happening in a town near you, enjoy family fun or a unique date night escape.
Read MoreEnjoy a CT Grown Pick-Your-Own Adventure
A meal is supposed to taste better when you prepare it yourself. So the odds are it will be even more delectable if you harvest the food for it as well. Summer is the prime time for “pick-your-own” opportunities at Connecticut farms. This activity lets you enjoy beautiful scenery, find fresh and delicious fruits, and […]
Read MoreCT Grown Delivered Right to Your Home!
The first step to ensuring a healthier 2022 is finding a farm near you. Bookmark CTGrown.org in your browser for easy access to the freshest, healthiest meat, dairy, and produce. Farm shopping offers several services that make a convenient and delicious way to fill your fridge and freezer, including: Curbside pickup Community-supported agriculture (CSA) Subscriptions […]
Read MoreTo Have and To Hold – The Perfect Wedding!
Do we hear wedding bells in the distance? If you became engaged over the holidays, congratulations! Right now you’re probably just starting your to-do list. Wedding planning season ramps up in February so if you’re thinking about venues now, you’re way ahead of the game. There are so many options to explore, but a farm […]
Read MoreSoup’s On!
What’s the best way to keep cozy during a long, beautiful Connecticut winter? Soup, of course! Soup is very easy to prepare and packed with nutrients. The best part is that once you get the hang of a recipe or two, you can improvise and make a hot, nourishing, filling meal out of almost anything […]
Read MoreMake this Holiday Season a CT Grown one with Curated CT Boxes!
Everyone loves the idea of buying “local” and supporting area farmers, makers, bakers and artisans—in fact, one recent study says 70% of us already do. Curated CT is making it easy to give fine quality, freshly made treats to family, friends, clients (and even yourself!) while feeling good about supporting local artisans and your community. […]
Read MoreConnecticut Wine Country
Enjoy a glass of wine by the fire or send someone special their favorite wine from a Connecticut Farm Winery! Through the long afternoon light of autumn, or the pink-blue skies of summer; through winter’s white fields or spring’s green and flowering trees, a drive to a Connecticut farm winery is always in season. Wineries […]
Read MoreDeck the Halls with Farm Fresh Decor
It’s not too early to begin planning your holiday decorations and how to turn your home into a festive Yuletide wonderland to remember. When you visit a local farm to get this year’s tree, why not also pick up all of your holiday décor as well? Connecticut tree farms offer the finest, hand-made holiday decorations available. Whether it’s […]
Read MoreIt’s Eggnog Season
The weather is turning crisper, and the holiday gatherings are taking their merry place on the calendar. Bring a smile to everyone’s face by being sure to include delicious, all-natural, farm-fresh eggnog from a local Connecticut farm at your next gathering. The History of Eggnog Did you know that eggnog first appeared in America in […]
Read MorePlan Ahead to Snag the Perfect Tree
Ensuring a memorable time and getting the perfect tree this year may require some additional planning. Due in part to last year’s heavy demand at Connecticut tree farms, there are fewer mature trees available this year. Don’t panic. The good news is that with 500 tree farms located all over Connecticut, you should still be […]
Read MoreAvoid Supply Chain Shortages – The Shelves are Stocked at CT Farms
Does the sight of empty store shelves and news stories about supply chain bottlenecks this holiday season stress you out? Well, there is a solution. Buying from Connecticut farms and vineyards not only supports local, sustainable agriculture but can also help you make sure your holiday gifts arrive on time. Did you know that Connecticut […]
Read MoreShop local to prevent global supply chain issues from hindering your holidays
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 16, 2021 Contact Rebecca Eddy Murphy Marketing & Inspection Rep 2 Rebecca.Eddy@ct.gov (860) 573-0323 CT Grown: Shop local to prevent global supply chain issues from hindering your holidays With more than 5,500 farms and dozens of farmers’ markets in Connecticut, high-quality and locally produced foods and goods can be found close to […]
Read MoreFarm To Table Holidays
Bring the farm to your table this holiday season with pasture-raised turkeys, geese, or even quail from a local producer! CT Grown providers are currently taking orders for a fresh Thanksgiving and are selling out fast. Order your turkey today, but don’t forget to pair your bird with fresh, nutritious vegetables, savory seasonings, dressings […]
Read MoreEnjoy a Foodie Trail This Season
Did you know the grapes and hops scene in Connecticut is thriving? Farm wineries and breweries comprise more than 100 small businesses throughout the state and growing annually. Be sure to make the Connecticut Wine Trail, Farm Wineries Passport Program, and CT Beer Trail a part of your destination as the days get chillier […]
Read MoreFive reasons chocolate milk is the official drink of Halloween
The night will soon be filled with little ghosts and goblins trick-or-treating from house to house for some spooky sweet treats during Halloween. One thing that parents don’t have to be afraid of is giving them a glass of chocolate milk before they go out. 1. It’s Nutrition in Disguise – Chocolate milk, like white milk, has […]
Read MoreFall Charcuterie Boards
Beyond basic cheese and crackers… Charcuterie boards are an eye-catching way to serve everyone’s favorites. Make seasonal items really stand out – try pairing apple cider donuts with fresh cut apples and cider slushies or create a fall extravaganza of candy apples, honey sticks, rich, nutty bread, and dried fruit. Start a new tradition for […]
Read MoreIt’s National Seafood Month
It’s time to celebrate seafood – and CT Grown has got the goods! Chilled oysters on the half shell, lobster tails bathed in warm butter, sizzling scallops wrapped in bacon – the salty waters of Long Island Sound give us so many delicacies. October is National Seafood Month, the perfect time to enjoy delicious, locally […]
Read MoreThanksgiving brought to you by Connecticut Grown!
Want to make your Thanksgiving table extra special this year? Get inspiration for your menu with pasture – raised turkeys, geese, or even quail from a local producer! Pair these offerings with organic, heirloom vegetables, savory seasonings, dressings and sauces crafted from locally grown herbs and spices. Place pie order in early for dishes that are bursting […]
Read MorePick the Perfect Christmas Tree!
When the Thanksgiving table is cleared, thoughts turn to trimming trees and decking the halls. Picking your Christmas tree on a crisp November day is a tradition your family will remember. Find a Christmas tree farm at ctwinecountry.com, fill some portable mugs with hot chocolate and CT Milk, and head out for a frosty country […]
Read More10 things to do this Fall
Celebrate the Season with the producers of Connecticut Grown Visit a Pumpkin Patch Create memories that will last a lifetime with family and friends! Pick the perfect pumpkin to stack, carve, or even cook with. Take a cider-gram Cider mills around the state are open for business! Sample ciders and tailor your next post with […]
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