Shelton Agritourism

[Teresa Gallagher]

Last Friday picking strawberries at Jones Farm, the gentleman picking next to us said he had driven up from Stamford just to pick berries.  He was surprised to learn from me that Jones has wine tasting and that there are other farms with farm products in Shelton. He was also curious about what he would find if he continued down Rt 110.  I told him that was downtown Shelton with various shops and he could get on Route 8 from there, and he said would do that.  He seemed to be in the mood to explore.

 

The next day when I was in Ridgefield, I struck up a conversation with someone at the stable where Emma has her riding lessons.  Turns out they had also been picking berries in Shelton earlier in the season.  He also had no idea there were other farms in Shelton.

 

There does seem to be a very healthy market for agritourism that I think we are not fully taking advantage of.  Wish we had a horse stable. These people from SW Connecticut and New York don't have any real farm areas left in their towns. They come to Jones Farm and then leave directly for home because they don't know Shelton.  It would be nice if we could get them to stay and spend their money at the other farms or businesses here.

 

Teresa Gallagher
Conservation Agent
City of Shelton
(203)924-1555 x315