Preserving the Soul of Easton:

Why Our Farmers Deserve More – And How We Can Step Up

Ray Martin Easton CT

Gilbertie's Farm

Nestled in the rolling hills of Fairfield County, Easton, Connecticut, isn’t just a postcard-perfect suburb with award-winning schools and winding country roads. It’s a living testament to agrarian grit, where the air still carries the faint scent of fresh-turned earth and the distant low of cattle. Picture this: a farmer at dawn, silhouetted against the blazing summer sun, wrestling with irrigation lines as drought parches the soil. Or in the dead of winter, braving freezing rains to mend a fence or tend to livestock that never clocks out. These aren’t scenes from a bygone era – they’re the daily reality for Easton’s more than 20 working farms, the backbone of our town’s identity.  But as development creeps in and economic pressures mount, we face a stark question: Will we let this heritage fade into subdivisions, or will we rally to sustain it? It’s time for more than lip service – farmers need real, ancillary pathways to income when crops falter, and we need bold action to keep the next generation rooted in the soil.

The Unyielding Rhythm of Farm Life in Easton

Easton has always been a farming town at heart. From ninth-generation Christmas tree operations to woman-owned enterprises like Sport Hill Farm, where owner Patti Popp turns out textbook-perfect produce from a 1740s homestead, agriculture isn’t a hobby here – it’s woven into our cultural fabric.   Historic spots like Silverman’s Farm, a century-old staple, draw visitors for apple picking and hayrides, while newer ventures like Gilbertie’s Herb Farm – now preserved by the Aspetuck Land Trust – blend organic veggies with wildflower meadows.  Over a third of Easton’s land is forever protected, a nod to our 1985 municipal farmland preservation ordinance, the first of its kind in Connecticut.  

Yet, behind the idyllic scenes lies a relentless grind. Farmers here endure scorching summers that bake the fields and bone-chilling winters that ice over equipment. Livestock demands round-the-clock care – no sick days, no weekends off. When a bumper crop floods the market or a late frost wipes out yields, income evaporates overnight. Gentrification adds insult to injury: What was farmland 30 years ago is now dotted with upscale developments and “hobby farms” for city escapees, squeezing out full-time operations.  In a town where 21 farms once thrived, many now teeter on the edge, facing skyrocketing land costs and regulatory hurdles.  These folks aren’t just growing food; they’re stewards of our watershed, our open spaces, and our shared history. They’re some of the hardest-working people you’ll ever meet – and they deserve better.

When the Harvest Fails: Building Ancillary Lifelines

The unpredictability of farming is its cruelest twist. A single bad season can spell disaster, but Easton’s farmers are innovators at heart, pivoting to diversify income in ways that honor their roots while padding the bottom line. We need to amplify these efforts with targeted support, turning “what if” into “watch this.”

So many residents are terrified of "what if" and that will be the end of farming in Easton. The year is 2025 and things change. Eighter we change with them, in a planned effective way so farmers can flourish or the farms will die

So....WATCH THIS !!!!

Take agritourism: Farms like Silverman’s already host u-pick events and farm stands that draw crowds from Fairfield County and beyond. Imagine expanding this – guided sunset tours through preserved meadows at Randall’s Farm Preserve, or farm-to-table dinners under the stars.  Connecticut’s Department of Agriculture (DoAg) offers grants for just this, including the Farm Transition Grant Program, which matches funds to bolster economic viability through events, education, or infrastructure.  Why not incentivize more? A town-wide “Easton Farm Trail” app could link visitors to seasonal happenings, putting cash directly into farmers’ pockets.

Value-added products are another goldmine. That bumper apple crop? Turn it into cider, pies, or artisanal jams sold at local markets or online. Diversification stories abound in Connecticut – like the Brady family, who layered dairy onto their operation with USDA microloans for pasteurization gear.  Programs like CT RC&D’s FarmUp provide one-on-one coaching for new revenue streams, from goat cheese to herbal remedies, especially for veterans and underserved producers.  And let’s not overlook emerging opportunities: Easton made headlines as Connecticut’s first town to grow cannabis on public land, a bold move that could fund conservation while offering farmers a high-margin crop. 

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares, subsidized through initiatives like CT NOFA’s Farm Share Program, connect eaters directly to growers, stabilizing income year-round.  Add in energy rebates from the Connecticut Farm Energy Program – over $7.4 million awarded since 2010 for solar panels or efficient barns – and suddenly, a lean year feels less like a cliff.  These aren’t handouts; they’re smart investments in resilience. Our Agricultural Commission could lead workshops on accessing these, ensuring every farm knows the playbook. 

Preserving the farm life or sub-divisions?:

Here’s the gut punch: Will the kids stick around? Multi-generational farms like Barney Lakeview Orchards or the Snow family’s operations represent a new wave of stewards, but the math doesn’t lie.   Heirloom tools and family lore are priceless, but so is a steady paycheck. With land values soaring – prime Easton acreage fetching premium prices from developers – the temptation to sell is real. We’ve seen it: Quiet fields paved over for McMansions, eroding the very character that draws people here. Take a look at neighboring Trumbull. In the 70's and 80's there were farms everywhere. Now very few remain, and no one would call it a rural farming town any longer.

Yet hope sprouts in unlikely places. Events like the 2012 town-wide farm tour planted seeds for the future, showcasing “past, present, and future” operations to inspire young locals.  And statewide, the Connecticut Farmland Trust is locking in easements, like the one safeguarding Lakeview Orchards amid encroaching residences.  The next generation – think hydroponic whizzes or small-batch cheesemakers – is already here, blending tradition with tech.  But they need our buy-in: Mentorship programs, low-interest loans via Farm Credit East’s tax credits, and land access through FarmLink resources.  

Forging a Path: Community, Policy, and Collective Will

So, how do we help? Start local: Shop the farm stands, join a CSA, or volunteer at harvest events. Push our leaders for expanded DoAg grants – 43 agriculture-focused ones already exist, from equipment upgrades to research.  Advocate for more preservation easements through the Aspetuck Land Trust, which has saved gems like Gilbertie’s from the developer’s blade.  On the policy front, let’s champion zoning that prioritizes ag use and incentives for ancillary ventures, like tax breaks for agritourism infrastructure.

Easton’s Garden Club and Historical Society have long championed conservation, from barn restorations to trail networks that highlight our agricultural past.   Imagine scaling that: A “Farmers’ Future Fund” seeded by town donations, matched by state programs, to ease transitions for young inheritors.

A Call from the Fields

Easton’s farms aren’t relics; they’re our future – providers of fresh food, guardians of biodiversity, and anchors of community pride. The sacrifice of our farmers, from dawn patrols in the rain to midnight repairs under the stars, buys us all a slice of authenticity in a homogenized world. But we can’t take it for granted. By championing ancillary income streams, preserving precious acres, and investing in the next generation, we can ensure that the only subdivisions here are the ones in our farm-fresh CSA boxes.

From my viewpoint, it's distinct. I've been a passionate outdoorsman my whole life. Nature and outdoor activities are my true passion. I don't just hike trails or observe wildlife; I immerse myself in it. I camp on the ground for days, fish in the Amazon, spending two weeks in the jungle, exploring ponds, lakes, and offshore. I've hunted nationwide. I often tell my environmentalist friends and activists that they're late to the party and haven't truly experienced the outdoors yet. This is why Easton is significant; it's a starting point to cultivate a love for the wilderness. Young people and families need to begin somewhere.

This November, as leaves turn and holiday markets bloom, commit to one act: Visit a local farm, chat with a grower about their story. Easton’s heritage isn’t preserved by accident – it’s protected by us. Let’s keep the plows turning, one supportive step at a time. What’s your move?

Ray Martin - Easton CT