Ease into Fall w/ Fairfield County Farm Workshops, Dinners, and Events

Farms are what keep us rooted to our humble beginnings, they keep us in touch with nature…farms are what keep us alive.  And, while most people probably only have surface level interactions with farms by purchasing their foods at stores or getting a bit closer to the source by visiting farmers’ markets, farms have lots going on behind the scenes.  The sowing, the planting, the watering, the manicuring, and the picking.  And, there are plant-y of other things going on at farms, depending on the season.

So, this is where we leave you:  some great events, workshops, and dinners at farms in September and October for you to dig.

Workshops

Ambler Farm, Wilton

In a pickle? Well, check out Ambler Farm in Wilton for a pickling workshop with Jane Costello, owner of Jane’s Good Food.  She’ll be demonstrating how to make her classic family recipe of “Ambler Bread & Butter” pickles.  As part of the workshop, they’ll have cucumbers on hand for you to pickle and take home for future enjoyment.  The workshop is on 9/9 from 9:30-11:30 and costs $35 for members or $40 for non-members.  Register fast because enrollment is limited to just 12 picklers.

Millstone Farm, Wilton

You know all those tomatoes in your garden that are ready to burst from being so big?  Well, you can’t let them go to waste!  That’s why you need to check out “Canning & Preserving Tomatoes” on Saturday, 9/27 from 10-1 pm for $30.  Farmer Annie Farrell will show you how to keep those tomatoes lasting and in peak freshness.  She’ll teach you all about canning, freezing, and how to store the preserved tomatoes.  Also, it’s a hands on workshop, so be ready to get those hands all dirty!  If time allows, Annie will take you on a tour of the farm.  There can be up to 20 participants, so to sign up (very limited spots available) mail a check to Workshops, Millstone Farm, 180 Millstone Rd., Wilton, CT 06897 or include the following in an email: phone number and number of participants. .

Also, you can come by Millstone Farm on Saturday, 10/18 from 10-1 to learn how to pickle and preserve with Annie Farrell.  Again, it’s a hands-on experience, so it wouldn’t be wise dressing all in white.  Participation is $30 per person and requires registration with a limit of 20 picklers.

Dinners on the Farm

Holbrook Farm, Bethel

Holbrook Farm is hosting Farm Dinner in the Field at their farm in Bethel on September 14.  This one-of-a-kind dinner begins at 4:30 with cocktails and hors d’oeuvre and soon transitions into a family-style dinner featuring lots of wine and local brews.  Putting the meal together with ingredients right from the farm will be some of CT’s best:  Chef Matt Stanczak of Stanziato’s, Chef Morgan Vondle of Mezon Tapas Bar, and Chef Tony Pham of Pho Vietnam and Mecha Noodle Bar.  Proceeds from Farm Dinner in the Field go to Circle Camps for Grieving Children, a nonprofit that gives girls aged 9-16 who have experienced the death of a parent a free one-week summer camp experience.   Tickets are either $100 or $130 for VIP tix which includes a limited edition Circle Camps bracket.

Wakeman Town Farm, Westport

September 13 will be an awesome day to come out to Wakeman Town Farm in Westport.  

Step 1:  get your tix ($150).  

Step 2:  Show up at 6.  

Step 3:  Drink wine, Prosecco, and Bellinis during the cocktail hour

Step 4:  Be smart…coat that liquor with some hors d’oeuvre from Fairfield Cheese Co, Saugatuck Craft Butchery, Tierra, and Collyer Catering.  Leave room.  

Step 5:  Get ready for dinner hour with wine and some of our favorite restaurants in Fairfield County including Artisan, Bonda, LeFarm, The Spread, Oak + Almond, DaPietro’s, and AMG Catering. Leave room.

Step 6:  Enjoy the After-Dinner Hour with dessert from Saugatuck Sweets along with a coffee bar from Shearwater Organic Coffee Roasters and Steam.  

Step 7:  Get home and sleep a really, really, really long time.  

There will also be music from Last Call and an auction, too, including a stay at a Big Sur house, BMW racing bikes, golf gear, and more.  

Millstone Farm, Wilton

Award-winning Chef Brian Lewis of elm in New Canaan takes his restaurant on the road with elm Farm Feast on September 25.  Chef Lewis will provide a four course dinner that’s not only local, but also seasonally driven.  The fun begins at 6 with small bites, live music, farm tours, and lawn games.  Tickets are $35 per child and $135 per adult with tax and tap already included.  It’s a BYOB event, so come prepared!  We called today and there are just a few tickets left, so snag them up by reserving at info@elmrestaurant.com or calling 203.920.4994.

Family Farm Fun

Millstone Farm, Wilton 

Family Day at the Farm is happening on Sunday, 9/27 from 10 am until 12 pm.  Come by to Millstone Farm and meet with Farmer Jaci who will take you on a tour and who will have you help around the farm with some chores like egg collecting.  You’ll also have a chance to meet all the awesome farm animals like the pigs, chickens, turkeys, and sheep.  And, you’ll have a chance to check out the garden and even help to work in it, too.  Millstone Farm recommends ages 5-10 for this event.  Tickets are $20 per adult and $10 per child.  To register (very limited spots available) mail a check to Workshops, Millstone Farm, 180 Millstone Rd., Wilton, CT 06897 or include the following in an email: phone number and number of participants.