In The News

Written by Fred Musante

Thousands of pumpkin lovers visited Pumpkinseed Hill Farm over the weekend for a two-day festival to celebrate those autumn cornucopia favorites: pumpkins, squash and gourds.

The annual festival at Pumpkinseed Hill, part of the Jones Family Farms complex in White Hills, is also an annual benefit for UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund.

“It's very exciting to see such a big turnout,” said Terry Jones, the head of the family's farming enterprise. “A ton of money for UNICEF.”

By Patricia Villers, Register Staff

SHELTON — Preparing meals with locally grown food was the theme Tuesday at Jones Family Farms & Winery.

Owners Terry and Jean Jones and their son hosted about 20 chefs and fellow farmers on their White Hills property.

Terry Jones welcomed the group gathered in The Harvest Kitchen cooking studio. He introduced his son, winemaker Jamie Jones, and Allyson Angelini, assistant director of The Harvest Kitchen.

By Lauren Garrison, Register Staff

Berry enthusiasts have had a rare treat this spring and early summer: ripe, ready-to-pick strawberries in late May, and blueberries in late June, more than two weeks ahead of schedule, according to area farmers.

And corn is next.

Families heading to Jones Family Farm in Shelton last week for a pick-your-own experience were fortunate to see the last of the strawberry crop and the first of the blueberries. There were also pick-your-own blueberries last week at Bishop’s Orchards in Guilford.

Traditionally, Connecticut farmers are ramping up their strawberry season preparation the beginning of June to open a week or two into the month. This year, Mother Nature has helped to break tradition. Due to the very warm weather Connecticut has experienced this spring, the strawberries are already ripe for the picking. To many, the sweet treats symbolize the unofficial start of summer.