Local lawmakers applaud grant for Jones winery in Shelton

$25,000 to go toward facility expansion
HARTFORD - State Sen. Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, and state Reps. Jason Perillo, R-Shelton, and Larry Miller, R-Stratford, applaud the Department of Agriculture for awarding Jones Family Farms Winery in Shelton a grant through the Agriculture Viability Grants Program.

“I want to congratulate the Jones family on their incredible efforts to keep local farm production thriving in Shelton,” Kelly said. “This grant is well deserved and I look forward to watching the farm grow and take on new projects.”

The Shelton winery will use the $25,000 grant to help fund an expansion of their wine-production facility.
The expansion is estimated to cost $203,365 and will enable the winery to significantly increase production.

“The Jones Family Farms Winery is a perfect example of the growing agri-tourism industry that is making a mark across the state and in Shelton,”  Perillo said.  “They are a great family business. I congratulate them on this grant and look forward to continued agricultural projects by their family and others throughout Shelton in the years ahead.”

“My congratulations go to the Jones Family Farm,” Miller said.  “They are one of the finest examples of a family-owned and operated agricultural business in our area, and I am excited to see the expansion they are enabled to achieve through the use of this grant.”

“I want to thank the state of Connecticut for investing in our farm and winery,” said Jamie Jones, a sixth generation farmer in the Jones family. “This year the winery is 10 years old. We’ve grown steadily since our start and have reached the point that we need to make a greater quantity and variety of wine. We will be using this grant to help us increase our number of tanks and production capability.”

Jones Winery is one of more than 40 organizations, including farms, agricultural non-profits and municipalities, that received state funding last week totaling $880,327 as part of a state-wide effort to grow Connecticut’s agricultural economy.

Funding was made available through the Agriculture Department’s Farm Transition Grant and Farm Viability Grant programs, designed to increase farm production, promote Connecticut Grown products and create jobs.

The funding, which requires a match from the grantee, will leverage nearly $2.4 million in investments throughout the state.

“The Jones family has provided amazing Connecticut-grown produce to the Shelton community for generations. This farm and winery represent our local history as well as the future of agriculture in Connecticut,” Kelly said.

The Jones farm began in 1848 with Philip James Jones, a Welsh-Irish immigrant. The farm expanded and the vineyard was added in 1999 at the Pumpkinseed Hill location by Jamie Jones. They bottled and sold their first wine in 2004.  

For more information, visit: www.jonesfamilyfarms.com/winery. 


This is a press release from state Sen. Kevin Kelly's office.

BEST program starts at Shelton school

Businesses urged to support early childhood education

SHELTON - The Susanna Wesley School in Shelton has six new smiling faces for the start of their school year, thanks to a new program, Connecticut BEST – Businesses Enriching Scholars Together.  

Established by Shelton farmer Terry Jones, and Roberta Cenci, Director of Susanna Wesley School, BEST seeks to create opportunities for the private sector to help children from families whose socioeconomic situation impacts their ability to acquire a quality early childhood education for their sons and/or daughters.

Jones said, “A few years ago, we at Jones Family Farms were asked to adopt a street in Shelton – to be responsible for cleaning up roadside trash, etc.  It struck me that if we could adopt a street and make an impact, maybe we could get the business community in general to “adopt” kids in need of a better start in education - to reach out to children who might not otherwise be able to attend preschool. 
"I started thinking about it, and came up with the idea of businesses providing scholarships to a local preschool.  We’ve had a long standing relationship with Susanna Wesley School here in Shelton, and after contacting them, their Board was willing to partner with us to help move this pilot project forward. 
"We’ve also developed great partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club and TEAM to help identify children to participate in this program, as well as the Valley Chamber of Commerce to help get the message out to the business community.”

To get the BEST Program up and running, the Jones Family Farms has established the BEST Fund at the Valley Community Foundation in Derby.
This donor advised build-a-fund has been endowed at $10,000, and will help provide initial working capital for students to participate in the program. 
“We are delighted that Terry and the Jones Family have chosen VCF to partner with them on this exciting endeavor,” said VCF President and CEO Sharon Closius. 
“VCF is committed to helping children and families throughout the Valley, and this is an excellent opportunity to expand our relationship with one of our existing fund holders to help bring this program to fruition.  We look forward to working with the Jones Family in the coming years to continue to bring even more students into the BEST program.”

“Connecticut BEST is a wonderful program, and we’re delighted to pilot it here at Susanna Wesley,” said Roberta Cenci.  
“When Terry and I first started to discuss this, what struck us was that it was really life changing for these four year old children.  It provides an opportunity for them to have a level playing field as they move forward into Kindergarten, and gives them a positive head-start in their educational career.
"We are hopeful that the Connecticut BEST Program at Susanna Wesley School can serve as a model that can be replicated in other schools throughout Connecticut.  As additional businesses become involved, even more children in the Valley will be able to benefit from this wonderful experience.”

Many eyes are on this unique Valley project and its potential for success.
 “The spirit of businesses joining the BEST pilot program in the Valley will be a great contribution to leadership in our state’s education reform,” said Connecticut State Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor.
“You are pioneers, innovating to make our “Connecticut Way” the BEST!”  Gov. Dannel P. Malloy also expressed his support for BEST.  
“The BEST program demonstrates the role our business community can play in helping young people – especially those that would otherwise miss out on a preschool experience.  We know that early learning is critical to a young person’s future academic success – BEST encourages early education, and gets the business sector involved in a meaningful way.”

“At the Farm, we spend our time growing trees from seeds,” said Terry Jones. “The most critical time in that growth cycle is when we are nurturing the seedlings. A well nurtured seedling becomes resilient and can be transplanted and able to deal with adversity. There are unquestionable comparisons between seedlings and young children – the greatest return on investments for both to succeed happens early on. It is our responsibility as a society to help them as much as we can to grow and to thrive.”

For information about how to contribute to the BEST Fund at VCF, contact Sharon Closius, VCF President and CEO, at 203-751-9162 or at sclosius@valleyfoundation.org.


This is a press release from the Valley Community Foundation.

Jones Family marks strawberry anniversary in Shelton

Logo from website

SHELTON – This week, Terry Jones of Jones Family Farms will celebrate a tradition he began 50 years ago as a young teenager: setting out thousands of baby strawberry plants.

“I guess you might call it more of a ‘Strawberry Red Anniversary’ than the typical ‘Golden Anniversary’ that honors a half century of tradition,” said Jones.

 “Since it takes a year for the plants to begin production, it’s a two-year celebration. In 2013, we are recognizing the 50th anniversary of planting the ‘Queen of Fruits’ and 2014 will mark the 50th harvest!”

Jones remembers well that day, 50 years ago, when he set up the strawberry transplanter on his new Farmall 140 tractor (still in use today,) 

“My late aunt, Ruth Jones, and my cousin, Melissa, sat on the machine feeding the tiny strawberries into the plant pockets. From my vantage point on the tractor seat, I looked back down the row and they were all upside-down with the roots pointed skyward,” Jones chuckles. “We’ve learned a lot over the years!”


This post is taken from a press release from Jones Family Farms.

Shelton farmer earns state recognition

HARTFORD - Connecticut’s agriculture industry grows great crops, including the next generation of farmers.  

Philip Jamison “Jamie” Jones of Jones Family Farms in Shelton was chosen as Connecticut’s Outstanding Young Farmer of 2013. 

The Outstanding Young Farmer Award is given annually by the Connecticut Agricultural Information Council, a coalition of state farming groups, as part of the festivities surrounding Connecticut Agriculture Day at the state capitol.  

Jamie Jones

Candidates are selected based on their achievements in their agricultural enterprises, involvement in the agriculture industry and their community, and their work on soil and water conservation projects. 

Jamie is a 1998 graduate of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. 
Today, he oversees all of the agricultural operations on the farm, maintaining more than 400 acres of pick-your-own strawberries, blueberries, pumpkins, and Christmas trees, as well as 50 acres of hay. 
 In 2004, he added more than five acres of vineyards when he established the Jones Winery. His wines have won numerous awards, including Best Connecticut Wine 2012 from Connecticut Magazine.  

Jones' sustainable growing practices, integrated pest management techniques, and collaboration with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station on agricultural research show his commitment to the family philosophy ‘be good to the land and the land will be good to you.”

He and his wife Christiana represent the sixth generation of the Jones family to run the 150-year-old farm, along with his parents, Terry and Jean Jones. Here, they also raise the seventh generation, Jackson, Samuel, and Juliet. 
Jamie Jones serves as CT Farm Bureau’s First Vice President, as the President of the CT Vineyard and Winery Association and on the Board of the CT Farm Wine Development Council.  
Most recently Jones was appointed by Gov. Dannel Malloy to serve on the Governor’s Council for Agricultural Development in 2011.

The purpose of the Outstanding Young Farmers program is to bring about a greater interest in the farmer to foster better urban-rural relations through the understanding of the farmers’ endeavors, to develop a further appreciation for their contributions and achievements, and to inform the agribusiness community of the growing urban awareness of the farmers’ importance and impact on America’s economy.

The state winner will be invited to compete nationally in the National Outstanding Young Farmers Program, which is sponsored nationally by John Deere. 
 The last three Connecticut winners, Russell Holmberg of Holmberg Orchards in Gales Ferry, Matt Peckham of Elm Farm in Woodstock, and Joe Geremia of Wallingford, have been national Top 10 finalists.  

This information is taken from a press release from Jones Family Farms.

Santa schedules stop at Jones Family Farms

SHELTON - The farmers at Jones Family Farms have been in touch with some of the elves at the North Pole and the jolly old elf has cleared his schedule to come visit with all his friends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting).

Santa’s annual visit to the farm will include time for kids of all ages to spend time with Santa and have their traditional pictures taken with St. Nick. Frosty will be around both days too! Cast members from Shelton’s Center Stage Theatre’s current production of “A Christmas Carol” will be caroling around the farm Saturday.

Jones Family Farms would appreciate donations of canned food or non-perishable food items to the farm that weekend. The farm will deliver the food to the Spooner House/Valley Food Bank.

Jones is open for harvest-your-own and pre-cut trees, wreaths, garland, tree stands, pine cones, kissing balls and other traditional Christmas décor. 
Guests will find unique gifts in the Holiday Gatherings gift shop and be able to purchase and sample some of Jones Winery’s award-winning wines, including the special Holiday Labeled bottles.

Jones Family Farms is open daily through Christmas Eve.
For information visit JonesFamilyFarms.com or Farmer Jones’ crop report number, 203-929-8425.

Shelton farm slates UNICEF festival for kids

27th annual event to be held this weekend

SHELTON - Families dressed in costume are invited to Jones Family Farms’ annual UNICEF Family Festival from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at their Pumpkinseed Hill farm, 120 Beardsley Road.

Games and crafts for kids will help raise money for UNICEF.

Activities (Proceeds directly to UNICEF) include:
Temporary Tattoos
Bean Bag Toss
Fortune Telling
Gourd Creature Making
Button Making

This year marks the 27th anniversary of the Jones' family selling pumpkins at their Pumpkinseed Hill farm at 120 Beardsley Road. Over the years, they have been able to donate more than $100,000 to UNICEF thanks to this yearly festival.

Guests to the pumpkin fields will join farmers in celebrating one of our favorite pumpkin themes: The World of OZ! You may even see some of your favorite characters working in the pumpkin patch that weekend!

Entertainment will take place on the Munchkin-land stage and includes a musical performance from Shelton’s Center Stage Theater Teen Cabaret at 2 p.m. Saturday. Also, pig and chicken feeding demonstrations and story-times will be held throughout both days.

As usual, guests will be able to choose from more than 50 varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds grown on the Jones farm.
The hayrides will be running and weather permitting the corn maze will be open too.

The ever-popular All-You-Can-Carry special is also in place. Guests will pay only $33 for all the pumpkins they can carry across the finish line. This year, the Jones Farmers have included white pumpkins, specialty pumpkins and even their eye-catching GIANT pumpkins in the deal. It’s always fun to stand by the line and cheer on the strong men and women at the pumpkin patch.

Jones Family Farms is open daily through Halloween, 10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.; 4 p.m. close on Halloween.

Jones Winery is open 11 a.m. -5 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 
Directions and information about Jones Family Farms may be found on JonesFamilyFarms.com or by calling Farmer Jones’ crop report number 203-929-8425. 

This information is taken from a release from Keith Padin, Marketing and Hospitality Manager, Jones Family Farms.

Shelton businesses named 'best' in state

Jones Winery to host event Saturday

SHELTON - Connecticut Magazine has released its annual “Best of Connecticut” issue and once again several Shelton businesses were recognized for being the best.

To celebrate the accomplishments of these local favorites, Jones Family Farms & Winery will host its third annual "Best of Connecticut" weekend. It will be held from 1-5 p.m. Saturday in the Jones Winery courtyard, 606 Walnut Tree Hill Road.  

Jones Winery (Best Connecticut Wine), Liquid Lunch (Best Connecticut Soup), Oronoque Farms (Best Connecticut Apple Pie), and Stockbridge’s Cheesecake (Best Connecticut Cheesecake) will be showcasing their winning products. 
Guests will be able to sample and purchase the items that have made these businesses "the best." 

Vineyard talk
Other activities will include a vegetable market set up by Stone Gardens of Shelton and a vineyard talk in the Jones Homestead Vineyard at 2 p.m.

Jones Family Farms will also be open for pumpkin picking (including hayrides and corn maze – weather permitting) at the Pumpkinseed Hill farm at 20 Beardsley Road,  from 10 a.m.– 5 p.m.
The Jones Winery Tasting Room will also remain open for its normal weekend hours, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. for tastings and wine-by-the-glass on the patio.

For details, visit www.JonesFamilyFarms.com/Events.


The above information was provided by Keith Padin, Marketing and Hospitality Manager, Jones Family Farms.

Shelton farm offers Friday markets

 

Jones' Farmers show off the Red, White & Blue Market crops at last year’s Friday Farmer’s Markets. / Contributed photo


By Keith Padin
Marketing & Hospitality Manager
Jones Family Farms

SHELTON - Jones Family Farms, in the White Hills section, is once again hosting its Summer Friday Farmers’ Markets. Spotlighting local foods and products from around Shelton and the area, the Friday markets are focused on promoting what the area has to offer and as Christiana Jones, Market Manager, puts it: “plain ole good food.”

Now in its third year, the Friday Farmers’ Market will feature produce and products from various Shelton Farms. Connecticut artisan cheeses, soups, and local honey will also be offered.

“We are so pleased to have local farmers and business owners joining us again this summer to help share the bounty we all spend so much time growing and creating,” Jones said. “It really has become a great community event that people look forward to every week.”

Weekly themes will range from the annual Red, White & Blue Farmers’ Market Kickoff this Friday to potatoes to corn to tomatoes and more. Add in that the markets are kid-friendly with products from the Harvest Kitchen Cooking Studio, wine tastings at Jones Winery, and other entertainment and you have a complete afternoon of local fun.

Visitors to the market are always asked to bring canned foods or other donations for Spooner House and the Valley Food Bank.

The markets run every Friday in July and August from 3:30– 6:30 p.m. at Jones Family Farms’ Homestead Farm, 606 Walnut Tree Hill Road. 

For information call 203-929-8425 or visit JonesFamilyFarms.com.

 

Strawberries arrive early at Jones Family Farms

By Keith Padin

Director, Marketing and Hospitality

Jones Family Farms

SHELTON - The winter and spring seasons of 2012 were ones for the record books. 

 Record high temperatures, droughts, late spring frosts and freezes and weeks of misty rain have all added to a very unusual climate in southern New England. For several weeks area farmers have been trying to figure out what all this means for their crops. 

For Terry Jones, one of the longest-continuous strawberry growers in the Connecticut, it brings a picking season earlier than ever.
  “This is the earliest we’ve ever had people harvesting strawberries at our farm,” said Jones who has been inviting guests to pick their own berries at his Shelton farm since the 1960s. 

Jones Family Farms opened for pre-season picking Tuesday and will continue to pick through June – or as long as the berries last. “It’s a quick season,” Jones said, “once the berries turn ripe, there’s no stopping them. The season usually lasts up to four weeks.”
  One of the biggest challenges of strawberry season is public understanding of the time frames. 

  “Years ago, our strawberry season wouldn’t be in full swing until Father’s Day weekend” said Jones. “So, people still have that idea in their head – mid to late June for strawberries. Well, Mother Nature has pushed that time frame up considerably in recent years, and this year it’s especially early. Everything seems to be earlier and earlier every year.”

Connecticut residents planning to secure their annual strawberry harvest should look for information from their local farmers soon. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture lists many of the pick-your-own farms in the state on their website (http://www.ct.gov/doag/lib/doag/marketing_files/brochures/pyoweb2012.pdf) before you know it, the season will be over.

Jones Family Farms is located in off Route 110 in Shelton. For more hours, picking locations, picking tips and other information visitors may call the Farmer Jones crop-info line, 203-929-8425 or visit JonesFamilyFarms.com or Facebook.com/JonesFamilyFarms.

Shelton farm to offer artisan food experience this season

Pairings of local foods, wine will be featured.  

SHELTON -  The Jones Winery at Jones Family Farms, 606 Walnut Tree Hill Road, will hold three tastings that will offer unique experiences to all who attend.
The Saturday food-pairing events are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; July 21; and Sept.1. Admission is $10.

Co-hosted by Artisan Food Store and Jones Winery the events will feature locally made cheeses, breads and baked goods, chocolates, cookies, dips, spreads and relishes, maple syrup, honey, jams and jellies, flavored butters, fair trade coffee, seasonal produce and more, paired with handcrafted boutique wines from Jones Winery.
Enjoy this coming together of all natural locally produced foods and wines while relaxing in the bucolic setting of Jones Winery.
All of the foods and wines will be paired in simple tasting configurations - so pick something up for your home entertaining to share with family and friends. Each attendee will be given a menu of featured pairings for the day - light appetizers, cheese and wine combinations and dessert items. Taste and buy! Admission allows you to taste the foods and wines and everything is available to purchase.

The events will feature locally made, award-winning artisan made foods and wines from Cato Corner Farm, Beltane Farm, Ladies of Lebanon, Artisan Food Store, Winding Drive Jams & Jellies, Savor Cookies, The Farmer’s Cow, Brookview Sugarhouse, Hannan Honey, Jones Winery and others.

Nestled in the White Hills of Shelton lies one of the state's premier wineries. The balance of rich soil, southwestern-facing slopes, and an experienced sixth-generation farmer working the land combine to make Jones Winery a true treasure for Connecticut residents and visitors to enjoy.
Call Artisan Food Store, 203-262-9390 for information. Admission may be purchased at artisanmade-ne.com.

The above was taken from a release provided by Keith Padin, Marketing and Hospitality Manager, Jones Family Farms in Shelton.