A few weeks ago I attended the Know Your Farmer Fair in Windham County, 

located in Northeastern Connecticut. It was inspiring and hopeful to experience 

this rural agricultural region, also known as the Quiet Corner. 

 

Know Your Farmer, convened by Windham Community Food Network and Grown CONnectED, was a delightful opportunity to meet the growers who produce our food. I appreciated talking with the owners of Cloverleigh, River Ridge, Little Dipper, KDCROP and BOTL farms, and the Directors of CLiCK and Put Local On Your Tray. Through my conversations, I learned about the barriers farmers and food entrepreneurs face, such as the lack of infrastructure, equitable access to land, and viable markets. Susan Mitchell eloquently writes about these issues in her op-ed, CT Needs to Help Young Farmers with a Precious Commodity: Equitable Land Access. The op-ed is linked below.  

 

Living in Fairfield County, Connecticut, two hours south of Windham County along the coastline, I could not help but think about the potential for stronger connections and partnerships. We need each other in these times! The Northeast region has farms and farmers. The Southwest region has viable markets. Connecticut farmers are stewarding and protecting a significant part of our foodshed. It is time to get creative, overcome barriers, and provide farmers with the resources they need in order to thrive.