Washington, An Agrarian Community: Past, Present, and Future

Washington has long enjoyed a rich and varied history in agriculture from the earliest settlers who were primarily homesteaders who grew row crops, tobacco, and engaged in small scale husbandry and local market selling, to the thriving dairy industry of the 19th and early 20th centuries that supplied the large cities to the south, to what now occupies the agricultural landscape, namely revitalized small to mid-sized organic vegetable farms, orchards and pasture raised animals.  In many ways the type of farming has come full circle (in scale) though todays farmers who call Washington home have had to develop new markets, and create innovative economic models like CSA programs, all while trying to keep the region’s dwindling agricultural presence in tact. This lecture will explore the ways in which Washington can and will remain agricultural.

Patrick is co-owner with his twin brother Quincy of Waldingfield Farm, a certified organic farm founded on family land in 1990. He has been farming full-time since 2006. From 1996 to 2006 he worked in finance at R.G. Niederhoffer Capital Management (while working on the farm most weekends), and also pursued theater. He is a graduate of Union College (B.A. English) and The Stella Adler Conservatory (MFA program). He is responsible for all marketing, sales, and general operations at the farm:  www.waldingfieldfarm.com   Patrick also works with older brother Daniel at Five Acre Farms, a New York dairy brand. Five Acre Farms markets local milk, eggs, and apple products from the Northeast for sale in retail outlets (Shop Rite, Fairway, Key Food) and food service: www.fiveacrefarms.com  He and his wife and son, Suzie and Griffin, live in Washington. CT.

For more information visit www.gunnmuseum.org or contact the Gunn Historical Museum in Washington, CT at 860-868-7756 or [email protected].