Conservation Commission

Shelton, Connecticut


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Connecticut CRI Data for Shelton

White Hills Agricultural Area

The White Hills section of Shelton hosts some of the region's last remaining farmland, making it a prime destination for agri-tourism. The rural agricultural landscape is a key component of this agri-tourism industry.

Click on the map above to see the farm locations referenced below. Cross-hatched areas have been permanently protected through the purchase of development rights, but remain under private ownership. Green areas are owned by the City of Shelton or the Land Trust (dark green). Dotted lands are owned by the Aquarion Water Company, while white areas are private, unprotected areas. For a Google map/satellite view with driving directions, click the "Google map it" icon.

The scenic aspects of farmland include the beauty of a farm itself (fields, produce) as well as the surrounding terrain, which forms a backdrop. Therefore, the development of surrounding hilltops can detract from the scenery of nearby farms.

In addition, some farms in the White Hills, due to their elevation, have impressive vistas. In a few locations Long Island Sound can be seen.

Jones Family Farm (Valley Farm)

Locate on the east side of Walnut Tree Hill Road, Valley Farm is a popular destination for strawberry and blueberry picking, as well as harvest-your-own Christmas trees.

This property has been protected by the purchase of development rights. See website.

Attributes: VIEW - Farmlands offer scenic vistas and are also scenic as viewed from afar. HISTORY - Multigenerational family farm. PASSIVE RECREATION - Pick-your-own crops. AGRICULTURE. SPECIMEN - Strawberries, blueberries and Christmas Trees.

Nelson and Standish Farms (Jones Family Farms)

These farms are currently owned by Jones Family Farm and are used for growing Christmas trees, which are harvested directly by the farm (this is not a cut-your-own operation), growing straw for strawberries, and other peripheral farm operations. The Standish farm has a natural spring that is said to run even during the driest drought.

Attributes: VIEW - Farmlands offer scenic vistas and are also scenic as viewed from afar. HISTORY - Multigenerational farm. AGRICULTURE. FEATURE - Natural spring with local reputation. RISK - not protected.

Shelton Family Farm

Most of the farm has been protected by the purchase of development rights. It includes a hillside leading from Rt 110 up to Jones Family Farm Homestead Acres, a pond, and a go-cart racetrack. A portion of the farm is leased by Jones Family Farm and is planted with Christmas trees.

Attributes: VIEW - Farmlands offer scenic vistas and are also scenic as viewed from afar. HISTORY - Multigenerational farm. AGRICULTURE. FEATURE - Pond. RISK - Most of the farm is protected, although the go-cart section of the farm is not.

Jones Family Farm (Homestead Acres)

Located west of Walnut Tree Hill Road, this farm planted with cut-your-own Christmas Trees offers panoramic views of the White Hills from Candy Cane Hill. The farm has been permanently protected by the purchase of development rights. See website. Highest point in Shelton. The dairy barn is undergoing renovation.

Attributes: VIEW - Farmlands offer scenic vistas and are also scenic as viewed from afar. HISTORY - Old farm buildings. PASSIVE RECREATION Pick-your-own crops. AGRICULTURE - Christmas Trees, grapes, vegetables. FEATURE - Candy Cane Hill, collection of farm buildings.

Jones Family Farm (Pumpkin Seed Hill)

Located west of Beardsley Road, the farm is a destination for strawberry picking and pumpkins. The hilltop farm offers vistas of the White Hills. The property is protected under a purchase of development rights. See Website.

Attributes: VIEW - Farmlands offer scenic vistas and are also scenic as viewed from afar. AGRICULTURE - Pumpkins, blueberries. FEATURE: The hill is a glacial drumlin.

French's Hill

Located on East Village Road across from East Village Park, this land is owned by the City of Shelton and farmed by the adjacent Hubbell Farm. The hilltop is a glacial drumlin and is where the crops are located. The eastern portion of the property is reverting to woodlands. A registered Connecticut Notable Tulip Tree is located off of Sagamore Road.

Attributes: VIEW - Farmlands offer scenic vistas and are also scenic as viewed from afar. PASSIVE RECREATION Walking, geocaching (there are no official trails) AGRICULTURE SPECIMEN - Registered Notable Tulip Tree. FEATURE - Glacial Drumlin

Beardsley Orchards

Located on Leavenworth Road, this farm grow many varieties of apples for pick-your-own harvesting. There is also a cider press and shop. Beardsley Orchard provides a scenic backdrop as viewed from other farms in the White Hills. The farm also has seasonal views towards Means Brook Valley. Beardsley Website.

Attributes: VIEW - Farmlands offer scenic vistas and are also scenic as viewed from afar. HISTORY - Farmed by the Beardsley family since 1849. AGRICULTURE - Apples. SPECIMEN - Antique apple varieties - FEATURE - Leaning silo. RISK - not protected.

Nicholdale Farm

This old dairy farm, located on Leavenworth Road, is now owned by the Shelton Land Conservation Trust and is managed for wildlife habitat. The fields are mowed annually and efforts to remove invasive species have preserved the agricultural ambiance of the park. Hiking trails are open to the public and a youth camp is used extensively by Scouting groups. A cattle underpass is located near the main parking lot. The underpass once allowed cattle to safely cross Leavenworth Road.

Attributes: VIEW - Farmlands offer scenic vistas and are also scenic as viewed from afar. HISTORY - Old Dairy Farm. PASSIVE RECREATION - Hiking, camping. AGRICULTURE - Hay. SPECIMEN - UNH study zone for phragmites. FEATURE - Cattle Underpass.

Hudak Farm

Located on Beardsley Road just below the Stearn Farm, but still near the hilltop, the Hudak farm has expansive vistas.

Attributes: VIEW - Farmlands offer scenic vistas and are also scenic as viewed from afar. HISTORY - Multigenerational family farm. AGRICULTURE - hay, corn FEATURE - one of the highest points in Shelton. RISK - Not protected.

Stearn Farm

This farm occupies one of the highest points in Shelton (Elev. 610 ft) in the form of a broad open hilltop on both sides of Birdseye Road. There are impressive views of Long Island Sound. The hillside also forms the scenic backdrop to farms such as the Jones Family Farm and contributes to the agricultural ambiance of the White Hills area. Crops include corn, hay, and cattle grazing.

Attributes: VIEW - Farmlands offer scenic vistas and are also scenic as viewed from afar. Vistas of Long Island Sound. HISTORY - Multigenerational family farm. AGRICULTURE - Cattle, hay FEATURE - One of the highest points in Shelton. RISK - Not protected.

McEwen Farm

Located between East Village and Beardsley Roads in the northern White Hills on one of the highest points in Shelton (elev. 617 ft). Postal Air Mile 8 was formerly located here (Air Mile 7 was on Sport Hill Road, Air Mile 9 was near Bethany Airport). The marker was used to guide early air mail pilots. This property is not protected.

Attributes: VIEW - Farmlands offer scenic vistas and are also scenic as viewed from afar. HISTORY - Postal Air Mile. AGRICULTURE - Hay. FEATURE - High Point. RISK - Not protected.

Wabuda Farm

This small farm is located on School Street.

Attributes: VIEW - Farmlands offer scenic vistas and are also scenic as viewed from afar. HISTORY PARK AGRICULTURE FEATURE RISK (added)

Fairview & Ovesny to be added

 

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