Easy Pickin's Orchard
Family Farm History
In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of land, a farmhouse, and outbuildings. There were also 20-25 apple trees that had been planted in the 1930's. For the first two years, they raised tobacco on the land while Red worked at a Ford tractor dealer. When he landed a job at Kaman Helicopter, farming took a back seat. The land was rented out to local farmers, who grew potatoes, corn and tobacco.
When the farm was first purchased, the original apple trees were over-grown by brush. Red set about clearing the brush from the trees and tending them. Around 1964, he began planting more trees - about 200 on 2 acres. The apples from these trees were sold at Linda's parent's farm on Elm Street, the site of the Enfield Square today. In between the farming and aircraft work, Red and Linda raised five children - Dianne, Mark, James (Jamie), Brian and Kristine.
In 1978, Jamie and Brian wanted to plant some apple trees of their own. Jamie cleared a half acre of land, and the following year the two boys cleared another half acre. They planted McIntosh, Red Delicious and Macoun as semi-standard trees trained to the modified central leader system. This was when Brian first began to learn the finer points of training trees, identifying diseases and pests.
In 1978, Brian entered college majoring in horticulture. During the last few years of college, he grew vegetables at his parents' farm to sell in area farmer's markets. Upon his graduation from UConn with Bachelor's degrees in both Horticulture and English literature, he went back to farming his parents' land. His primary crops were corn and apples, with other vegetables to round out his selection. In 1985, Brian was hired as Orchard Manager for Pine Brook Orchard, a pick-your-own operation in Colchester, CT. At Pine Brook, Brian learned the 4-wire trellis system (espalier). This method allows a far greater tree density and higher yields. When Pine Brook was sold in 1988, Brian came home to Enfield and the whole family began to help build the town's first pick-your-own orchard on the family farm.
An irrigation well was drilled in 1989, and the pipes were laid. The tree planting began in 1990, with dwarf apple trees, peaches and the nursery and autumn saw the installation of the first section of trellis to support the 1,500 apple trees that comprise "Block I". The following year, a half acre of raspberries was added.
An electrified fence was completed in 1991, encircling the orchard with seven strands of wire placed at an angle to deter deer from feasting on the crops. More rootstocks were added to the nursery in 1991, and that summer was spent grafting trees as well. The fall of 1991 saw the start of planting in the back part of the orchard "Block II" which continued through 1995.
In the fall of 1992, Easy Pickin's Orchard was ready to open to the public for the first time. It was time to see if all the hard work would pay off. We opened our gates the third week of August, with an old kitchen table under a market umbrella in the field. For our first year, we offered pick-your-own apples, peaches and raspberries.
1993 brought a bumper crop of peaches, and an even greater yield of apples than the year before. More people heard about Easy Pickin's Orchard, and came out to see what we were all about. We started advertising in local papers, and the customers came.
Since then, we've worked hard to increase and expand our offerings to you. We've added pick-your-own vegetables, flowers, herbs, plums, Asian pears, and Blueberries. There will be wagon rides and school tours, entertainment and education. Bring your family to Easy Pickin's Orchard for farm fun!
Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors.
AARP Events for Enfield
AARP Events for Enfield
-
A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga
Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET
Zoom
Online Event
-
AARP Smart Driver™: Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub
Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET
Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub
Kingston, NY
-
Fitness Friday: A Strength & Conditioning Workout for All
Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Zoom
Online Event
Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal
- Immediate access to your member benefits
- Discounts on travel and everyday savings
- Subscription to AARP The Magazine
- FREE second membership
Join AARP
Already a member? Renew or
Print Card
Contact AARP
Connecticut
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]Code Context<?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?><?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Easy Pickin's Orchard</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>46 Bailey Road</div> <div> <span>Enfield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06082</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.easypickinsorchard.com/" target="_blank">Easy Pickin s Orchard</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-763-3276</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Easy+Pickin%27s+Orchard%2C+46+Bailey+Road%2C+Enfield%2C+CT+06082" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">Family Farm History</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of land, a farmhouse, and outbuildings. There were also 20-25 apple trees that had been planted in the 1930's. For the first two years, they raised tobacco on the land while Red worked at a Ford tractor dealer. When he landed a job at Kaman Helicopter, farming took a back seat. The land was rented out to local farmers, who grew potatoes, corn and tobacco.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">When the farm was first purchased, the original apple trees were over-grown by brush. Red set about clearing the brush from the trees and tending them. Around 1964, he began planting more trees - about 200 on 2 acres. The apples from these trees were sold at Linda's parent's farm on Elm Street, the site of the Enfield Square today. In between the farming and aircraft work, Red and Linda raised five children - Dianne, Mark, James (Jamie), Brian and Kristine.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Jamie and Brian wanted to plant some apple trees of their own. Jamie cleared a half acre of land, and the following year the two boys cleared another half acre. They planted McIntosh, Red Delicious and Macoun as semi-standard trees trained to the modified central leader system. This was when Brian first began to learn the finer points of training trees, identifying diseases and pests. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Brian entered college majoring in horticulture. During the last few years of college, he grew vegetables at his parents' farm to sell in area farmer's markets. Upon his graduation from UConn with Bachelor's degrees in both Horticulture and English literature, he went back to farming his parents' land. His primary crops were corn and apples, with other vegetables to round out his selection. In 1985, Brian was hired as Orchard Manager for Pine Brook Orchard, a pick-your-own operation in Colchester, CT. At Pine Brook, Brian learned the 4-wire trellis system (espalier). This method allows a far greater tree density and higher yields. When Pine Brook was sold in 1988, Brian came home to Enfield and the whole family began to help build the town's first pick-your-own orchard on the family farm. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An irrigation well was drilled in 1989, and the pipes were laid. The tree planting began in 1990, with dwarf apple trees, peaches and the nursery and autumn saw the installation of the first section of trellis to support the 1,500 apple trees that comprise "Block I". The following year, a half acre of raspberries was added.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An electrified fence was completed in 1991, encircling the orchard with seven strands of wire placed at an angle to deter deer from feasting on the crops. More rootstocks were added to the nursery in 1991, and that summer was spent grafting trees as well. The fall of 1991 saw the start of planting in the back part of the orchard "Block II" which continued through 1995.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In the fall of 1992, Easy Pickin's Orchard was ready to open to the public for the first time. It was time to see if all the hard work would pay off. We opened our gates the third week of August, with an old kitchen table under a market umbrella in the field. For our first year, we offered pick-your-own apples, peaches and raspberries.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">1993 brought a bumper crop of peaches, and an even greater yield of apples than the year before. More people heard about Easy Pickin's Orchard, and came out to see what we were all about. We started advertising in local papers, and the customers came.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Since then, we've worked hard to increase and expand our offerings to you. We've added pick-your-own vegetables, flowers, herbs, plums, Asian pears, and Blueberries. There will be wagon rides and school tours, entertainment and education. Bring your family to Easy Pickin's Orchard for farm fun!</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"></p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/enfield-ct/report/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-kingston-ny-c34125.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-ULSTER-COUNTY-OFFICE-FOR-THE-AGING-SENIOR-HUB">AARP Smart Driver™: Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</p> <p class="loc">Kingston, NY</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-friday-strength-conditioning-112224-lfnfsg5wz8g.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-FRIDAY-A-STRENGTH-CONDITIONING-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Fitness Friday: A Strength & Conditioning Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Connecticut</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:CTAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">CTAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Connecticut</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-connecticut/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ENFIELD-CT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of" name="description"/> <meta content="Easy, Pickin, s, Orchard, Enfield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.9794"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-72.50759"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Easy Pickin's Orchard</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>46 Bailey Road</div> <div> <span>Enfield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06082</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.easypickinsorchard.com/" target="_blank">Easy Pickin s Orchard</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-763-3276</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Easy+Pickin%27s+Orchard%2C+46+Bailey+Road%2C+Enfield%2C+CT+06082" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">Family Farm History</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of land, a farmhouse, and outbuildings. There were also 20-25 apple trees that had been planted in the 1930's. For the first two years, they raised tobacco on the land while Red worked at a Ford tractor dealer. When he landed a job at Kaman Helicopter, farming took a back seat. The land was rented out to local farmers, who grew potatoes, corn and tobacco.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">When the farm was first purchased, the original apple trees were over-grown by brush. Red set about clearing the brush from the trees and tending them. Around 1964, he began planting more trees - about 200 on 2 acres. The apples from these trees were sold at Linda's parent's farm on Elm Street, the site of the Enfield Square today. In between the farming and aircraft work, Red and Linda raised five children - Dianne, Mark, James (Jamie), Brian and Kristine.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Jamie and Brian wanted to plant some apple trees of their own. Jamie cleared a half acre of land, and the following year the two boys cleared another half acre. They planted McIntosh, Red Delicious and Macoun as semi-standard trees trained to the modified central leader system. This was when Brian first began to learn the finer points of training trees, identifying diseases and pests. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Brian entered college majoring in horticulture. During the last few years of college, he grew vegetables at his parents' farm to sell in area farmer's markets. Upon his graduation from UConn with Bachelor's degrees in both Horticulture and English literature, he went back to farming his parents' land. His primary crops were corn and apples, with other vegetables to round out his selection. In 1985, Brian was hired as Orchard Manager for Pine Brook Orchard, a pick-your-own operation in Colchester, CT. At Pine Brook, Brian learned the 4-wire trellis system (espalier). This method allows a far greater tree density and higher yields. When Pine Brook was sold in 1988, Brian came home to Enfield and the whole family began to help build the town's first pick-your-own orchard on the family farm. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An irrigation well was drilled in 1989, and the pipes were laid. The tree planting began in 1990, with dwarf apple trees, peaches and the nursery and autumn saw the installation of the first section of trellis to support the 1,500 apple trees that comprise "Block I". The following year, a half acre of raspberries was added.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An electrified fence was completed in 1991, encircling the orchard with seven strands of wire placed at an angle to deter deer from feasting on the crops. More rootstocks were added to the nursery in 1991, and that summer was spent grafting trees as well. The fall of 1991 saw the start of planting in the back part of the orchard "Block II" which continued through 1995.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In the fall of 1992, Easy Pickin's Orchard was ready to open to the public for the first time. It was time to see if all the hard work would pay off. We opened our gates the third week of August, with an old kitchen table under a market umbrella in the field. For our first year, we offered pick-your-own apples, peaches and raspberries.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">1993 brought a bumper crop of peaches, and an even greater yield of apples than the year before. More people heard about Easy Pickin's Orchard, and came out to see what we were all about. We started advertising in local papers, and the customers came.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Since then, we've worked hard to increase and expand our offerings to you. We've added pick-your-own vegetables, flowers, herbs, plums, Asian pears, and Blueberries. There will be wagon rides and school tours, entertainment and education. Bring your family to Easy Pickin's Orchard for farm fun!</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"></p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/enfield-ct/report/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-kingston-ny-c34125.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-ULSTER-COUNTY-OFFICE-FOR-THE-AGING-SENIOR-HUB">AARP Smart Driver™: Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</p> <p class="loc">Kingston, NY</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-friday-strength-conditioning-112224-lfnfsg5wz8g.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-FRIDAY-A-STRENGTH-CONDITIONING-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Fitness Friday: A Strength & Conditioning Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Connecticut</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:CTAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">CTAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Connecticut</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-connecticut/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ENFIELD-CT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of" name="description"/> <meta content="Easy, Pickin, s, Orchard, Enfield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.9794"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-72.50759"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '<span class="highlighting">Highlighting Enfield</span>' $location = '<a href="/enfield-ct/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Hartford, CT</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/enfield-ct/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]Code Context<?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?><?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Easy Pickin's Orchard</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>46 Bailey Road</div> <div> <span>Enfield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06082</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.easypickinsorchard.com/" target="_blank">Easy Pickin s Orchard</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-763-3276</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Easy+Pickin%27s+Orchard%2C+46+Bailey+Road%2C+Enfield%2C+CT+06082" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">Family Farm History</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of land, a farmhouse, and outbuildings. There were also 20-25 apple trees that had been planted in the 1930's. For the first two years, they raised tobacco on the land while Red worked at a Ford tractor dealer. When he landed a job at Kaman Helicopter, farming took a back seat. The land was rented out to local farmers, who grew potatoes, corn and tobacco.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">When the farm was first purchased, the original apple trees were over-grown by brush. Red set about clearing the brush from the trees and tending them. Around 1964, he began planting more trees - about 200 on 2 acres. The apples from these trees were sold at Linda's parent's farm on Elm Street, the site of the Enfield Square today. In between the farming and aircraft work, Red and Linda raised five children - Dianne, Mark, James (Jamie), Brian and Kristine.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Jamie and Brian wanted to plant some apple trees of their own. Jamie cleared a half acre of land, and the following year the two boys cleared another half acre. They planted McIntosh, Red Delicious and Macoun as semi-standard trees trained to the modified central leader system. This was when Brian first began to learn the finer points of training trees, identifying diseases and pests. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Brian entered college majoring in horticulture. During the last few years of college, he grew vegetables at his parents' farm to sell in area farmer's markets. Upon his graduation from UConn with Bachelor's degrees in both Horticulture and English literature, he went back to farming his parents' land. His primary crops were corn and apples, with other vegetables to round out his selection. In 1985, Brian was hired as Orchard Manager for Pine Brook Orchard, a pick-your-own operation in Colchester, CT. At Pine Brook, Brian learned the 4-wire trellis system (espalier). This method allows a far greater tree density and higher yields. When Pine Brook was sold in 1988, Brian came home to Enfield and the whole family began to help build the town's first pick-your-own orchard on the family farm. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An irrigation well was drilled in 1989, and the pipes were laid. The tree planting began in 1990, with dwarf apple trees, peaches and the nursery and autumn saw the installation of the first section of trellis to support the 1,500 apple trees that comprise "Block I". The following year, a half acre of raspberries was added.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An electrified fence was completed in 1991, encircling the orchard with seven strands of wire placed at an angle to deter deer from feasting on the crops. More rootstocks were added to the nursery in 1991, and that summer was spent grafting trees as well. The fall of 1991 saw the start of planting in the back part of the orchard "Block II" which continued through 1995.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In the fall of 1992, Easy Pickin's Orchard was ready to open to the public for the first time. It was time to see if all the hard work would pay off. We opened our gates the third week of August, with an old kitchen table under a market umbrella in the field. For our first year, we offered pick-your-own apples, peaches and raspberries.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">1993 brought a bumper crop of peaches, and an even greater yield of apples than the year before. More people heard about Easy Pickin's Orchard, and came out to see what we were all about. We started advertising in local papers, and the customers came.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Since then, we've worked hard to increase and expand our offerings to you. We've added pick-your-own vegetables, flowers, herbs, plums, Asian pears, and Blueberries. There will be wagon rides and school tours, entertainment and education. Bring your family to Easy Pickin's Orchard for farm fun!</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"></p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/enfield-ct/report/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-kingston-ny-c34125.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-ULSTER-COUNTY-OFFICE-FOR-THE-AGING-SENIOR-HUB">AARP Smart Driver™: Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</p> <p class="loc">Kingston, NY</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-friday-strength-conditioning-112224-lfnfsg5wz8g.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-FRIDAY-A-STRENGTH-CONDITIONING-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Fitness Friday: A Strength & Conditioning Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Connecticut</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:CTAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">CTAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Connecticut</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-connecticut/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ENFIELD-CT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of" name="description"/> <meta content="Easy, Pickin, s, Orchard, Enfield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.9794"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-72.50759"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Easy Pickin's Orchard</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>46 Bailey Road</div> <div> <span>Enfield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06082</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.easypickinsorchard.com/" target="_blank">Easy Pickin s Orchard</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-763-3276</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Easy+Pickin%27s+Orchard%2C+46+Bailey+Road%2C+Enfield%2C+CT+06082" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">Family Farm History</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of land, a farmhouse, and outbuildings. There were also 20-25 apple trees that had been planted in the 1930's. For the first two years, they raised tobacco on the land while Red worked at a Ford tractor dealer. When he landed a job at Kaman Helicopter, farming took a back seat. The land was rented out to local farmers, who grew potatoes, corn and tobacco.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">When the farm was first purchased, the original apple trees were over-grown by brush. Red set about clearing the brush from the trees and tending them. Around 1964, he began planting more trees - about 200 on 2 acres. The apples from these trees were sold at Linda's parent's farm on Elm Street, the site of the Enfield Square today. In between the farming and aircraft work, Red and Linda raised five children - Dianne, Mark, James (Jamie), Brian and Kristine.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Jamie and Brian wanted to plant some apple trees of their own. Jamie cleared a half acre of land, and the following year the two boys cleared another half acre. They planted McIntosh, Red Delicious and Macoun as semi-standard trees trained to the modified central leader system. This was when Brian first began to learn the finer points of training trees, identifying diseases and pests. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Brian entered college majoring in horticulture. During the last few years of college, he grew vegetables at his parents' farm to sell in area farmer's markets. Upon his graduation from UConn with Bachelor's degrees in both Horticulture and English literature, he went back to farming his parents' land. His primary crops were corn and apples, with other vegetables to round out his selection. In 1985, Brian was hired as Orchard Manager for Pine Brook Orchard, a pick-your-own operation in Colchester, CT. At Pine Brook, Brian learned the 4-wire trellis system (espalier). This method allows a far greater tree density and higher yields. When Pine Brook was sold in 1988, Brian came home to Enfield and the whole family began to help build the town's first pick-your-own orchard on the family farm. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An irrigation well was drilled in 1989, and the pipes were laid. The tree planting began in 1990, with dwarf apple trees, peaches and the nursery and autumn saw the installation of the first section of trellis to support the 1,500 apple trees that comprise "Block I". The following year, a half acre of raspberries was added.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An electrified fence was completed in 1991, encircling the orchard with seven strands of wire placed at an angle to deter deer from feasting on the crops. More rootstocks were added to the nursery in 1991, and that summer was spent grafting trees as well. The fall of 1991 saw the start of planting in the back part of the orchard "Block II" which continued through 1995.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In the fall of 1992, Easy Pickin's Orchard was ready to open to the public for the first time. It was time to see if all the hard work would pay off. We opened our gates the third week of August, with an old kitchen table under a market umbrella in the field. For our first year, we offered pick-your-own apples, peaches and raspberries.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">1993 brought a bumper crop of peaches, and an even greater yield of apples than the year before. More people heard about Easy Pickin's Orchard, and came out to see what we were all about. We started advertising in local papers, and the customers came.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Since then, we've worked hard to increase and expand our offerings to you. We've added pick-your-own vegetables, flowers, herbs, plums, Asian pears, and Blueberries. There will be wagon rides and school tours, entertainment and education. Bring your family to Easy Pickin's Orchard for farm fun!</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"></p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/enfield-ct/report/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-kingston-ny-c34125.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-ULSTER-COUNTY-OFFICE-FOR-THE-AGING-SENIOR-HUB">AARP Smart Driver™: Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</p> <p class="loc">Kingston, NY</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-friday-strength-conditioning-112224-lfnfsg5wz8g.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-FRIDAY-A-STRENGTH-CONDITIONING-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Fitness Friday: A Strength & Conditioning Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Connecticut</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:CTAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">CTAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Connecticut</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-connecticut/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ENFIELD-CT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of" name="description"/> <meta content="Easy, Pickin, s, Orchard, Enfield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.9794"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-72.50759"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '<span class="highlighting">Highlighting Enfield</span>' $location = '<a href="/enfield-ct/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Hartford, CT</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/enfield-ct/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Easy Pickin's Orchard</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>46 Bailey Road</div> <div> <span>Enfield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06082</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.easypickinsorchard.com/" target="_blank">Easy Pickin s Orchard</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-763-3276</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Easy+Pickin%27s+Orchard%2C+46+Bailey+Road%2C+Enfield%2C+CT+06082" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">Family Farm History</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of land, a farmhouse, and outbuildings. There were also 20-25 apple trees that had been planted in the 1930's. For the first two years, they raised tobacco on the land while Red worked at a Ford tractor dealer. When he landed a job at Kaman Helicopter, farming took a back seat. The land was rented out to local farmers, who grew potatoes, corn and tobacco.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">When the farm was first purchased, the original apple trees were over-grown by brush. Red set about clearing the brush from the trees and tending them. Around 1964, he began planting more trees - about 200 on 2 acres. The apples from these trees were sold at Linda's parent's farm on Elm Street, the site of the Enfield Square today. In between the farming and aircraft work, Red and Linda raised five children - Dianne, Mark, James (Jamie), Brian and Kristine.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Jamie and Brian wanted to plant some apple trees of their own. Jamie cleared a half acre of land, and the following year the two boys cleared another half acre. They planted McIntosh, Red Delicious and Macoun as semi-standard trees trained to the modified central leader system. This was when Brian first began to learn the finer points of training trees, identifying diseases and pests. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Brian entered college majoring in horticulture. During the last few years of college, he grew vegetables at his parents' farm to sell in area farmer's markets. Upon his graduation from UConn with Bachelor's degrees in both Horticulture and English literature, he went back to farming his parents' land. His primary crops were corn and apples, with other vegetables to round out his selection. In 1985, Brian was hired as Orchard Manager for Pine Brook Orchard, a pick-your-own operation in Colchester, CT. At Pine Brook, Brian learned the 4-wire trellis system (espalier). This method allows a far greater tree density and higher yields. When Pine Brook was sold in 1988, Brian came home to Enfield and the whole family began to help build the town's first pick-your-own orchard on the family farm. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An irrigation well was drilled in 1989, and the pipes were laid. The tree planting began in 1990, with dwarf apple trees, peaches and the nursery and autumn saw the installation of the first section of trellis to support the 1,500 apple trees that comprise "Block I". The following year, a half acre of raspberries was added.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An electrified fence was completed in 1991, encircling the orchard with seven strands of wire placed at an angle to deter deer from feasting on the crops. More rootstocks were added to the nursery in 1991, and that summer was spent grafting trees as well. The fall of 1991 saw the start of planting in the back part of the orchard "Block II" which continued through 1995.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In the fall of 1992, Easy Pickin's Orchard was ready to open to the public for the first time. It was time to see if all the hard work would pay off. We opened our gates the third week of August, with an old kitchen table under a market umbrella in the field. For our first year, we offered pick-your-own apples, peaches and raspberries.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">1993 brought a bumper crop of peaches, and an even greater yield of apples than the year before. More people heard about Easy Pickin's Orchard, and came out to see what we were all about. We started advertising in local papers, and the customers came.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Since then, we've worked hard to increase and expand our offerings to you. We've added pick-your-own vegetables, flowers, herbs, plums, Asian pears, and Blueberries. There will be wagon rides and school tours, entertainment and education. Bring your family to Easy Pickin's Orchard for farm fun!</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"></p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/enfield-ct/report/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-kingston-ny-c34125.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-ULSTER-COUNTY-OFFICE-FOR-THE-AGING-SENIOR-HUB">AARP Smart Driver™: Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</p> <p class="loc">Kingston, NY</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-friday-strength-conditioning-112224-lfnfsg5wz8g.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-FRIDAY-A-STRENGTH-CONDITIONING-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Fitness Friday: A Strength & Conditioning Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Connecticut</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:CTAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">CTAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Connecticut</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-connecticut/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ENFIELD-CT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of" name="description"/> <meta content="Easy, Pickin, s, Orchard, Enfield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.9794"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-72.50759"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Easy Pickin's Orchard</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>46 Bailey Road</div> <div> <span>Enfield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06082</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.easypickinsorchard.com/" target="_blank">Easy Pickin s Orchard</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-763-3276</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Easy+Pickin%27s+Orchard%2C+46+Bailey+Road%2C+Enfield%2C+CT+06082" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">Family Farm History</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of land, a farmhouse, and outbuildings. There were also 20-25 apple trees that had been planted in the 1930's. For the first two years, they raised tobacco on the land while Red worked at a Ford tractor dealer. When he landed a job at Kaman Helicopter, farming took a back seat. The land was rented out to local farmers, who grew potatoes, corn and tobacco.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">When the farm was first purchased, the original apple trees were over-grown by brush. Red set about clearing the brush from the trees and tending them. Around 1964, he began planting more trees - about 200 on 2 acres. The apples from these trees were sold at Linda's parent's farm on Elm Street, the site of the Enfield Square today. In between the farming and aircraft work, Red and Linda raised five children - Dianne, Mark, James (Jamie), Brian and Kristine.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Jamie and Brian wanted to plant some apple trees of their own. Jamie cleared a half acre of land, and the following year the two boys cleared another half acre. They planted McIntosh, Red Delicious and Macoun as semi-standard trees trained to the modified central leader system. This was when Brian first began to learn the finer points of training trees, identifying diseases and pests. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Brian entered college majoring in horticulture. During the last few years of college, he grew vegetables at his parents' farm to sell in area farmer's markets. Upon his graduation from UConn with Bachelor's degrees in both Horticulture and English literature, he went back to farming his parents' land. His primary crops were corn and apples, with other vegetables to round out his selection. In 1985, Brian was hired as Orchard Manager for Pine Brook Orchard, a pick-your-own operation in Colchester, CT. At Pine Brook, Brian learned the 4-wire trellis system (espalier). This method allows a far greater tree density and higher yields. When Pine Brook was sold in 1988, Brian came home to Enfield and the whole family began to help build the town's first pick-your-own orchard on the family farm. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An irrigation well was drilled in 1989, and the pipes were laid. The tree planting began in 1990, with dwarf apple trees, peaches and the nursery and autumn saw the installation of the first section of trellis to support the 1,500 apple trees that comprise "Block I". The following year, a half acre of raspberries was added.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An electrified fence was completed in 1991, encircling the orchard with seven strands of wire placed at an angle to deter deer from feasting on the crops. More rootstocks were added to the nursery in 1991, and that summer was spent grafting trees as well. The fall of 1991 saw the start of planting in the back part of the orchard "Block II" which continued through 1995.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In the fall of 1992, Easy Pickin's Orchard was ready to open to the public for the first time. It was time to see if all the hard work would pay off. We opened our gates the third week of August, with an old kitchen table under a market umbrella in the field. For our first year, we offered pick-your-own apples, peaches and raspberries.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">1993 brought a bumper crop of peaches, and an even greater yield of apples than the year before. More people heard about Easy Pickin's Orchard, and came out to see what we were all about. We started advertising in local papers, and the customers came.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Since then, we've worked hard to increase and expand our offerings to you. We've added pick-your-own vegetables, flowers, herbs, plums, Asian pears, and Blueberries. There will be wagon rides and school tours, entertainment and education. Bring your family to Easy Pickin's Orchard for farm fun!</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"></p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/enfield-ct/report/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-kingston-ny-c34125.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-ULSTER-COUNTY-OFFICE-FOR-THE-AGING-SENIOR-HUB">AARP Smart Driver™: Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</p> <p class="loc">Kingston, NY</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-friday-strength-conditioning-112224-lfnfsg5wz8g.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-FRIDAY-A-STRENGTH-CONDITIONING-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Fitness Friday: A Strength & Conditioning Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Connecticut</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:CTAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">CTAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Connecticut</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-connecticut/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ENFIELD-CT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of" name="description"/> <meta content="Easy, Pickin, s, Orchard, Enfield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.9794"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-72.50759"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '<span class="highlighting">Highlighting Enfield</span>' $location = '<a href="/enfield-ct/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Hartford, CT</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/enfield-ct/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Easy Pickin's Orchard</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>46 Bailey Road</div> <div> <span>Enfield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06082</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.easypickinsorchard.com/" target="_blank">Easy Pickin s Orchard</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-763-3276</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Easy+Pickin%27s+Orchard%2C+46+Bailey+Road%2C+Enfield%2C+CT+06082" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">Family Farm History</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of land, a farmhouse, and outbuildings. There were also 20-25 apple trees that had been planted in the 1930's. For the first two years, they raised tobacco on the land while Red worked at a Ford tractor dealer. When he landed a job at Kaman Helicopter, farming took a back seat. The land was rented out to local farmers, who grew potatoes, corn and tobacco.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">When the farm was first purchased, the original apple trees were over-grown by brush. Red set about clearing the brush from the trees and tending them. Around 1964, he began planting more trees - about 200 on 2 acres. The apples from these trees were sold at Linda's parent's farm on Elm Street, the site of the Enfield Square today. In between the farming and aircraft work, Red and Linda raised five children - Dianne, Mark, James (Jamie), Brian and Kristine.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Jamie and Brian wanted to plant some apple trees of their own. Jamie cleared a half acre of land, and the following year the two boys cleared another half acre. They planted McIntosh, Red Delicious and Macoun as semi-standard trees trained to the modified central leader system. This was when Brian first began to learn the finer points of training trees, identifying diseases and pests. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Brian entered college majoring in horticulture. During the last few years of college, he grew vegetables at his parents' farm to sell in area farmer's markets. Upon his graduation from UConn with Bachelor's degrees in both Horticulture and English literature, he went back to farming his parents' land. His primary crops were corn and apples, with other vegetables to round out his selection. In 1985, Brian was hired as Orchard Manager for Pine Brook Orchard, a pick-your-own operation in Colchester, CT. At Pine Brook, Brian learned the 4-wire trellis system (espalier). This method allows a far greater tree density and higher yields. When Pine Brook was sold in 1988, Brian came home to Enfield and the whole family began to help build the town's first pick-your-own orchard on the family farm. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An irrigation well was drilled in 1989, and the pipes were laid. The tree planting began in 1990, with dwarf apple trees, peaches and the nursery and autumn saw the installation of the first section of trellis to support the 1,500 apple trees that comprise "Block I". The following year, a half acre of raspberries was added.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An electrified fence was completed in 1991, encircling the orchard with seven strands of wire placed at an angle to deter deer from feasting on the crops. More rootstocks were added to the nursery in 1991, and that summer was spent grafting trees as well. The fall of 1991 saw the start of planting in the back part of the orchard "Block II" which continued through 1995.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In the fall of 1992, Easy Pickin's Orchard was ready to open to the public for the first time. It was time to see if all the hard work would pay off. We opened our gates the third week of August, with an old kitchen table under a market umbrella in the field. For our first year, we offered pick-your-own apples, peaches and raspberries.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">1993 brought a bumper crop of peaches, and an even greater yield of apples than the year before. More people heard about Easy Pickin's Orchard, and came out to see what we were all about. We started advertising in local papers, and the customers came.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Since then, we've worked hard to increase and expand our offerings to you. We've added pick-your-own vegetables, flowers, herbs, plums, Asian pears, and Blueberries. There will be wagon rides and school tours, entertainment and education. Bring your family to Easy Pickin's Orchard for farm fun!</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"></p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/enfield-ct/report/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-kingston-ny-c34125.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-ULSTER-COUNTY-OFFICE-FOR-THE-AGING-SENIOR-HUB">AARP Smart Driver™: Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</p> <p class="loc">Kingston, NY</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-friday-strength-conditioning-112224-lfnfsg5wz8g.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-FRIDAY-A-STRENGTH-CONDITIONING-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Fitness Friday: A Strength & Conditioning Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Connecticut</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:CTAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">CTAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Connecticut</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-connecticut/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ENFIELD-CT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of" name="description"/> <meta content="Easy, Pickin, s, Orchard, Enfield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.9794"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-72.50759"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Easy Pickin's Orchard</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>46 Bailey Road</div> <div> <span>Enfield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06082</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.easypickinsorchard.com/" target="_blank">Easy Pickin s Orchard</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-763-3276</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Easy+Pickin%27s+Orchard%2C+46+Bailey+Road%2C+Enfield%2C+CT+06082" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">Family Farm History</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of land, a farmhouse, and outbuildings. There were also 20-25 apple trees that had been planted in the 1930's. For the first two years, they raised tobacco on the land while Red worked at a Ford tractor dealer. When he landed a job at Kaman Helicopter, farming took a back seat. The land was rented out to local farmers, who grew potatoes, corn and tobacco.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">When the farm was first purchased, the original apple trees were over-grown by brush. Red set about clearing the brush from the trees and tending them. Around 1964, he began planting more trees - about 200 on 2 acres. The apples from these trees were sold at Linda's parent's farm on Elm Street, the site of the Enfield Square today. In between the farming and aircraft work, Red and Linda raised five children - Dianne, Mark, James (Jamie), Brian and Kristine.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Jamie and Brian wanted to plant some apple trees of their own. Jamie cleared a half acre of land, and the following year the two boys cleared another half acre. They planted McIntosh, Red Delicious and Macoun as semi-standard trees trained to the modified central leader system. This was when Brian first began to learn the finer points of training trees, identifying diseases and pests. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Brian entered college majoring in horticulture. During the last few years of college, he grew vegetables at his parents' farm to sell in area farmer's markets. Upon his graduation from UConn with Bachelor's degrees in both Horticulture and English literature, he went back to farming his parents' land. His primary crops were corn and apples, with other vegetables to round out his selection. In 1985, Brian was hired as Orchard Manager for Pine Brook Orchard, a pick-your-own operation in Colchester, CT. At Pine Brook, Brian learned the 4-wire trellis system (espalier). This method allows a far greater tree density and higher yields. When Pine Brook was sold in 1988, Brian came home to Enfield and the whole family began to help build the town's first pick-your-own orchard on the family farm. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An irrigation well was drilled in 1989, and the pipes were laid. The tree planting began in 1990, with dwarf apple trees, peaches and the nursery and autumn saw the installation of the first section of trellis to support the 1,500 apple trees that comprise "Block I". The following year, a half acre of raspberries was added.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An electrified fence was completed in 1991, encircling the orchard with seven strands of wire placed at an angle to deter deer from feasting on the crops. More rootstocks were added to the nursery in 1991, and that summer was spent grafting trees as well. The fall of 1991 saw the start of planting in the back part of the orchard "Block II" which continued through 1995.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In the fall of 1992, Easy Pickin's Orchard was ready to open to the public for the first time. It was time to see if all the hard work would pay off. We opened our gates the third week of August, with an old kitchen table under a market umbrella in the field. For our first year, we offered pick-your-own apples, peaches and raspberries.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">1993 brought a bumper crop of peaches, and an even greater yield of apples than the year before. More people heard about Easy Pickin's Orchard, and came out to see what we were all about. We started advertising in local papers, and the customers came.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Since then, we've worked hard to increase and expand our offerings to you. We've added pick-your-own vegetables, flowers, herbs, plums, Asian pears, and Blueberries. There will be wagon rides and school tours, entertainment and education. Bring your family to Easy Pickin's Orchard for farm fun!</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"></p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/enfield-ct/report/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-kingston-ny-c34125.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-ULSTER-COUNTY-OFFICE-FOR-THE-AGING-SENIOR-HUB">AARP Smart Driver™: Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</p> <p class="loc">Kingston, NY</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-friday-strength-conditioning-112224-lfnfsg5wz8g.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-FRIDAY-A-STRENGTH-CONDITIONING-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Fitness Friday: A Strength & Conditioning Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Connecticut</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:CTAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">CTAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Connecticut</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-connecticut/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ENFIELD-CT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of" name="description"/> <meta content="Easy, Pickin, s, Orchard, Enfield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.9794"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-72.50759"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '<span class="highlighting">Highlighting Enfield</span>' $location = '<a href="/enfield-ct/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Hartford, CT</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/enfield-ct/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]Code Contextinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Easy Pickin's Orchard</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>46 Bailey Road</div> <div> <span>Enfield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06082</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.easypickinsorchard.com/" target="_blank">Easy Pickin s Orchard</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-763-3276</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Easy+Pickin%27s+Orchard%2C+46+Bailey+Road%2C+Enfield%2C+CT+06082" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">Family Farm History</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of land, a farmhouse, and outbuildings. There were also 20-25 apple trees that had been planted in the 1930's. For the first two years, they raised tobacco on the land while Red worked at a Ford tractor dealer. When he landed a job at Kaman Helicopter, farming took a back seat. The land was rented out to local farmers, who grew potatoes, corn and tobacco.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">When the farm was first purchased, the original apple trees were over-grown by brush. Red set about clearing the brush from the trees and tending them. Around 1964, he began planting more trees - about 200 on 2 acres. The apples from these trees were sold at Linda's parent's farm on Elm Street, the site of the Enfield Square today. In between the farming and aircraft work, Red and Linda raised five children - Dianne, Mark, James (Jamie), Brian and Kristine.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Jamie and Brian wanted to plant some apple trees of their own. Jamie cleared a half acre of land, and the following year the two boys cleared another half acre. They planted McIntosh, Red Delicious and Macoun as semi-standard trees trained to the modified central leader system. This was when Brian first began to learn the finer points of training trees, identifying diseases and pests. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Brian entered college majoring in horticulture. During the last few years of college, he grew vegetables at his parents' farm to sell in area farmer's markets. Upon his graduation from UConn with Bachelor's degrees in both Horticulture and English literature, he went back to farming his parents' land. His primary crops were corn and apples, with other vegetables to round out his selection. In 1985, Brian was hired as Orchard Manager for Pine Brook Orchard, a pick-your-own operation in Colchester, CT. At Pine Brook, Brian learned the 4-wire trellis system (espalier). This method allows a far greater tree density and higher yields. When Pine Brook was sold in 1988, Brian came home to Enfield and the whole family began to help build the town's first pick-your-own orchard on the family farm. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An irrigation well was drilled in 1989, and the pipes were laid. The tree planting began in 1990, with dwarf apple trees, peaches and the nursery and autumn saw the installation of the first section of trellis to support the 1,500 apple trees that comprise "Block I". The following year, a half acre of raspberries was added.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An electrified fence was completed in 1991, encircling the orchard with seven strands of wire placed at an angle to deter deer from feasting on the crops. More rootstocks were added to the nursery in 1991, and that summer was spent grafting trees as well. The fall of 1991 saw the start of planting in the back part of the orchard "Block II" which continued through 1995.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In the fall of 1992, Easy Pickin's Orchard was ready to open to the public for the first time. It was time to see if all the hard work would pay off. We opened our gates the third week of August, with an old kitchen table under a market umbrella in the field. For our first year, we offered pick-your-own apples, peaches and raspberries.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">1993 brought a bumper crop of peaches, and an even greater yield of apples than the year before. More people heard about Easy Pickin's Orchard, and came out to see what we were all about. We started advertising in local papers, and the customers came.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Since then, we've worked hard to increase and expand our offerings to you. We've added pick-your-own vegetables, flowers, herbs, plums, Asian pears, and Blueberries. There will be wagon rides and school tours, entertainment and education. Bring your family to Easy Pickin's Orchard for farm fun!</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"></p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/enfield-ct/report/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-kingston-ny-c34125.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-ULSTER-COUNTY-OFFICE-FOR-THE-AGING-SENIOR-HUB">AARP Smart Driver™: Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</p> <p class="loc">Kingston, NY</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-friday-strength-conditioning-112224-lfnfsg5wz8g.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-FRIDAY-A-STRENGTH-CONDITIONING-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Fitness Friday: A Strength & Conditioning Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Connecticut</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:CTAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">CTAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Connecticut</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-connecticut/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ENFIELD-CT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of" name="description"/> <meta content="Easy, Pickin, s, Orchard, Enfield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.9794"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-72.50759"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Easy Pickin's Orchard</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>46 Bailey Road</div> <div> <span>Enfield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06082</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.easypickinsorchard.com/" target="_blank">Easy Pickin s Orchard</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-763-3276</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Easy+Pickin%27s+Orchard%2C+46+Bailey+Road%2C+Enfield%2C+CT+06082" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">Family Farm History</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of land, a farmhouse, and outbuildings. There were also 20-25 apple trees that had been planted in the 1930's. For the first two years, they raised tobacco on the land while Red worked at a Ford tractor dealer. When he landed a job at Kaman Helicopter, farming took a back seat. The land was rented out to local farmers, who grew potatoes, corn and tobacco.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">When the farm was first purchased, the original apple trees were over-grown by brush. Red set about clearing the brush from the trees and tending them. Around 1964, he began planting more trees - about 200 on 2 acres. The apples from these trees were sold at Linda's parent's farm on Elm Street, the site of the Enfield Square today. In between the farming and aircraft work, Red and Linda raised five children - Dianne, Mark, James (Jamie), Brian and Kristine.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Jamie and Brian wanted to plant some apple trees of their own. Jamie cleared a half acre of land, and the following year the two boys cleared another half acre. They planted McIntosh, Red Delicious and Macoun as semi-standard trees trained to the modified central leader system. This was when Brian first began to learn the finer points of training trees, identifying diseases and pests. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Brian entered college majoring in horticulture. During the last few years of college, he grew vegetables at his parents' farm to sell in area farmer's markets. Upon his graduation from UConn with Bachelor's degrees in both Horticulture and English literature, he went back to farming his parents' land. His primary crops were corn and apples, with other vegetables to round out his selection. In 1985, Brian was hired as Orchard Manager for Pine Brook Orchard, a pick-your-own operation in Colchester, CT. At Pine Brook, Brian learned the 4-wire trellis system (espalier). This method allows a far greater tree density and higher yields. When Pine Brook was sold in 1988, Brian came home to Enfield and the whole family began to help build the town's first pick-your-own orchard on the family farm. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An irrigation well was drilled in 1989, and the pipes were laid. The tree planting began in 1990, with dwarf apple trees, peaches and the nursery and autumn saw the installation of the first section of trellis to support the 1,500 apple trees that comprise "Block I". The following year, a half acre of raspberries was added.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An electrified fence was completed in 1991, encircling the orchard with seven strands of wire placed at an angle to deter deer from feasting on the crops. More rootstocks were added to the nursery in 1991, and that summer was spent grafting trees as well. The fall of 1991 saw the start of planting in the back part of the orchard "Block II" which continued through 1995.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In the fall of 1992, Easy Pickin's Orchard was ready to open to the public for the first time. It was time to see if all the hard work would pay off. We opened our gates the third week of August, with an old kitchen table under a market umbrella in the field. For our first year, we offered pick-your-own apples, peaches and raspberries.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">1993 brought a bumper crop of peaches, and an even greater yield of apples than the year before. More people heard about Easy Pickin's Orchard, and came out to see what we were all about. We started advertising in local papers, and the customers came.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Since then, we've worked hard to increase and expand our offerings to you. We've added pick-your-own vegetables, flowers, herbs, plums, Asian pears, and Blueberries. There will be wagon rides and school tours, entertainment and education. Bring your family to Easy Pickin's Orchard for farm fun!</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"></p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/enfield-ct/report/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-kingston-ny-c34125.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-ULSTER-COUNTY-OFFICE-FOR-THE-AGING-SENIOR-HUB">AARP Smart Driver™: Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</p> <p class="loc">Kingston, NY</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-friday-strength-conditioning-112224-lfnfsg5wz8g.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-FRIDAY-A-STRENGTH-CONDITIONING-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Fitness Friday: A Strength & Conditioning Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Connecticut</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:CTAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">CTAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Connecticut</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-connecticut/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ENFIELD-CT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of" name="description"/> <meta content="Easy, Pickin, s, Orchard, Enfield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.9794"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-72.50759"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '<span class="highlighting">Highlighting Enfield</span>' $location = '<a href="/enfield-ct/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Hartford, CT</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/enfield-ct/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]Code Contextinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Easy Pickin's Orchard</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>46 Bailey Road</div> <div> <span>Enfield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06082</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.easypickinsorchard.com/" target="_blank">Easy Pickin s Orchard</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-763-3276</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Easy+Pickin%27s+Orchard%2C+46+Bailey+Road%2C+Enfield%2C+CT+06082" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">Family Farm History</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of land, a farmhouse, and outbuildings. There were also 20-25 apple trees that had been planted in the 1930's. For the first two years, they raised tobacco on the land while Red worked at a Ford tractor dealer. When he landed a job at Kaman Helicopter, farming took a back seat. The land was rented out to local farmers, who grew potatoes, corn and tobacco.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">When the farm was first purchased, the original apple trees were over-grown by brush. Red set about clearing the brush from the trees and tending them. Around 1964, he began planting more trees - about 200 on 2 acres. The apples from these trees were sold at Linda's parent's farm on Elm Street, the site of the Enfield Square today. In between the farming and aircraft work, Red and Linda raised five children - Dianne, Mark, James (Jamie), Brian and Kristine.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Jamie and Brian wanted to plant some apple trees of their own. Jamie cleared a half acre of land, and the following year the two boys cleared another half acre. They planted McIntosh, Red Delicious and Macoun as semi-standard trees trained to the modified central leader system. This was when Brian first began to learn the finer points of training trees, identifying diseases and pests. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Brian entered college majoring in horticulture. During the last few years of college, he grew vegetables at his parents' farm to sell in area farmer's markets. Upon his graduation from UConn with Bachelor's degrees in both Horticulture and English literature, he went back to farming his parents' land. His primary crops were corn and apples, with other vegetables to round out his selection. In 1985, Brian was hired as Orchard Manager for Pine Brook Orchard, a pick-your-own operation in Colchester, CT. At Pine Brook, Brian learned the 4-wire trellis system (espalier). This method allows a far greater tree density and higher yields. When Pine Brook was sold in 1988, Brian came home to Enfield and the whole family began to help build the town's first pick-your-own orchard on the family farm. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An irrigation well was drilled in 1989, and the pipes were laid. The tree planting began in 1990, with dwarf apple trees, peaches and the nursery and autumn saw the installation of the first section of trellis to support the 1,500 apple trees that comprise "Block I". The following year, a half acre of raspberries was added.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An electrified fence was completed in 1991, encircling the orchard with seven strands of wire placed at an angle to deter deer from feasting on the crops. More rootstocks were added to the nursery in 1991, and that summer was spent grafting trees as well. The fall of 1991 saw the start of planting in the back part of the orchard "Block II" which continued through 1995.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In the fall of 1992, Easy Pickin's Orchard was ready to open to the public for the first time. It was time to see if all the hard work would pay off. We opened our gates the third week of August, with an old kitchen table under a market umbrella in the field. For our first year, we offered pick-your-own apples, peaches and raspberries.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">1993 brought a bumper crop of peaches, and an even greater yield of apples than the year before. More people heard about Easy Pickin's Orchard, and came out to see what we were all about. We started advertising in local papers, and the customers came.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Since then, we've worked hard to increase and expand our offerings to you. We've added pick-your-own vegetables, flowers, herbs, plums, Asian pears, and Blueberries. There will be wagon rides and school tours, entertainment and education. Bring your family to Easy Pickin's Orchard for farm fun!</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"></p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/enfield-ct/report/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-kingston-ny-c34125.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-ULSTER-COUNTY-OFFICE-FOR-THE-AGING-SENIOR-HUB">AARP Smart Driver™: Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</p> <p class="loc">Kingston, NY</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-friday-strength-conditioning-112224-lfnfsg5wz8g.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-FRIDAY-A-STRENGTH-CONDITIONING-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Fitness Friday: A Strength & Conditioning Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Connecticut</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:CTAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">CTAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Connecticut</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-connecticut/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ENFIELD-CT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of" name="description"/> <meta content="Easy, Pickin, s, Orchard, Enfield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.9794"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-72.50759"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Easy Pickin's Orchard</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>46 Bailey Road</div> <div> <span>Enfield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06082</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.easypickinsorchard.com/" target="_blank">Easy Pickin s Orchard</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-763-3276</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Easy+Pickin%27s+Orchard%2C+46+Bailey+Road%2C+Enfield%2C+CT+06082" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">Family Farm History</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of land, a farmhouse, and outbuildings. There were also 20-25 apple trees that had been planted in the 1930's. For the first two years, they raised tobacco on the land while Red worked at a Ford tractor dealer. When he landed a job at Kaman Helicopter, farming took a back seat. The land was rented out to local farmers, who grew potatoes, corn and tobacco.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">When the farm was first purchased, the original apple trees were over-grown by brush. Red set about clearing the brush from the trees and tending them. Around 1964, he began planting more trees - about 200 on 2 acres. The apples from these trees were sold at Linda's parent's farm on Elm Street, the site of the Enfield Square today. In between the farming and aircraft work, Red and Linda raised five children - Dianne, Mark, James (Jamie), Brian and Kristine.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Jamie and Brian wanted to plant some apple trees of their own. Jamie cleared a half acre of land, and the following year the two boys cleared another half acre. They planted McIntosh, Red Delicious and Macoun as semi-standard trees trained to the modified central leader system. This was when Brian first began to learn the finer points of training trees, identifying diseases and pests. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 1978, Brian entered college majoring in horticulture. During the last few years of college, he grew vegetables at his parents' farm to sell in area farmer's markets. Upon his graduation from UConn with Bachelor's degrees in both Horticulture and English literature, he went back to farming his parents' land. His primary crops were corn and apples, with other vegetables to round out his selection. In 1985, Brian was hired as Orchard Manager for Pine Brook Orchard, a pick-your-own operation in Colchester, CT. At Pine Brook, Brian learned the 4-wire trellis system (espalier). This method allows a far greater tree density and higher yields. When Pine Brook was sold in 1988, Brian came home to Enfield and the whole family began to help build the town's first pick-your-own orchard on the family farm. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An irrigation well was drilled in 1989, and the pipes were laid. The tree planting began in 1990, with dwarf apple trees, peaches and the nursery and autumn saw the installation of the first section of trellis to support the 1,500 apple trees that comprise "Block I". The following year, a half acre of raspberries was added.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">An electrified fence was completed in 1991, encircling the orchard with seven strands of wire placed at an angle to deter deer from feasting on the crops. More rootstocks were added to the nursery in 1991, and that summer was spent grafting trees as well. The fall of 1991 saw the start of planting in the back part of the orchard "Block II" which continued through 1995.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In the fall of 1992, Easy Pickin's Orchard was ready to open to the public for the first time. It was time to see if all the hard work would pay off. We opened our gates the third week of August, with an old kitchen table under a market umbrella in the field. For our first year, we offered pick-your-own apples, peaches and raspberries.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">1993 brought a bumper crop of peaches, and an even greater yield of apples than the year before. More people heard about Easy Pickin's Orchard, and came out to see what we were all about. We started advertising in local papers, and the customers came.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Since then, we've worked hard to increase and expand our offerings to you. We've added pick-your-own vegetables, flowers, herbs, plums, Asian pears, and Blueberries. There will be wagon rides and school tours, entertainment and education. Bring your family to Easy Pickin's Orchard for farm fun!</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"></p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/enfield-ct/report/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Enfield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-kingston-ny-c34125.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-ULSTER-COUNTY-OFFICE-FOR-THE-AGING-SENIOR-HUB">AARP Smart Driver™: Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Ulster County Office For The Aging Senior Hub</p> <p class="loc">Kingston, NY</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-friday-strength-conditioning-112224-lfnfsg5wz8g.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-FRIDAY-A-STRENGTH-CONDITIONING-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Fitness Friday: A Strength & Conditioning Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ENFIELD-CT">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Connecticut</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:CTAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">CTAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Connecticut</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-connecticut/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ENFIELD-CT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard - Enfield, CT"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of" name="description"/> <meta content="Easy, Pickin, s, Orchard, Enfield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/easy-pickins-orchard-enfield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Easy Pickin's Orchard"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Family Farm History In 1951, Francis ("Red") and Linda Kelliher bought a farm on Bailey Road in Enfield. The property they purchased consisted of 50 acres of"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.9794"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-72.50759"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '<span class="highlighting">Highlighting Enfield</span>' $location = '<a href="/enfield-ct/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Hartford, CT</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/enfield-ct/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/enfield-ct/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/enfield-ct/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118