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