(HARTFORD, CT) – CT Grown, a program of Connecticut Department of Agriculture, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and fall is the perfect time for residents and visitors to experience the farms that shape our state’s communities. Pick your perfect fall adventure using the CTGrown.org map to support Connecticut farms this autumn.
“Forty years of CT Grown is really four decades of Connecticut families choosing to support the farms that make our state special,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “Fall is one of the best times to get out and enjoy everything our farmers work so hard to provide. Whether you’re picking apples, trying a new cider, or getting lost in a corn maze with your kids, these moments help keep our farm communities strong.”
Apple cinnamon or pumpkin spice?
You don’t have to choose just one. Orchards across Connecticut are open for pick-your-own apples, with barns and farm stands offering fresh apple cider donuts each day. Many farms are pressing sweet cider, and some are pouring hard cider for visitors who want to taste the full range of this year’s harvest.
Pumpkin patches are full and ready for fall harvesting. Families looking for a carving pumpkin will find the classic Connecticut Field Pumpkin growing in patches across the state, along with a wide range of pumpkins in assorted colors, shapes, and textures. Remember, pumpkins aren’t just for the front stoop or carving, they are delicious in a bisque or pie too.
Where will your adventure take you?
Agritourism season is in full swing. Corn mazes are open, vineyards are harvesting their grapes with special events to mark the occasion, and communities are hosting fall festivals with local food, music, and crafts. It’s an easy time to get outside, explore a part of the state you haven’t visited, and support the farmers who have been at the heart of CT Grown for four decades.
Travelers can plan their fall outings using the interactive map on CTGrown.org, where they’ll find orchards, pumpkin patches, vineyards, farm stands, and seasonal events across the state. Many farmers’ markets are still open with a wide selection of late season vegetables, fall produce and locally made goods. Garden centers and farm stands are also stocked with mums, cornstalks, gourds, perennials, and other decorations that bring fall color home.
CT Grown invites everyone to celebrate this milestone year by exploring Connecticut farms, enjoying the harvest, and supporting local agriculture.
