The promise of ‘low-key’ beckoned from their website, in stark contrast with the well-oiled machines of Silverman’s or Jones Family Farms.  After my GPS took us down what seemed to be one too many miles of gravel road (enter via 107 if you want the less adventurous route!), up popped a stunning Greek Revival farmhouse, and a tractor crossing the way.  If only my iPhone had had room for a picture.  Sigh.  Trust me, it was breathtaking.  And right about then, confusion set in.  I couldn’t find the ‘store’, or the ‘people’, or any other customers for that matter.  I quickly pulled up the website to confirm it was open daily in September.  Yep.  Alright kids ... that means it's time to hop out and figure out what's going on.

In this small grassy field (a.k.a. parking lot) is a cluster of red buildings.  Only one was open, with some fresh-picked garlic and cucumbers for sale -- by the honor system.   So excellent.  This was precious learning for my two littles and each one toted their cucumber for the rest of our adventure.  They held hands on the gravel road while I scanned for signs of life … finally, a young farmer.  “It’s pretty low-key.”   Ahh, yes.   My definition of low-key was evolving.  This isn’t a small, family-run farm stand — barring a handful of busy weekends in October.  It’s a working farm that welcomes the public to hang out at will.  I felt like I was on someone’s property … because I was.  And I felt so grateful that that was all there was to it.  The kids were oblivious, of course ... squealing with delight as the tractor appeared, and watching intently as the farmer hopped down to let us beyond the gate to see the animals.  We crossed in WITH the chickens and geese .. and the dirt and mud.  Oh, how they shrieked when the rams ‘baaaa—aaaaaed’, and the turkeys loudly gobbled.  The sunshine.  The less-than-squeaky-cleanness of the whole thing.  What a break.  The only detraction was a slew of electric fences — like, everywhere.  I felt a little afraid, and have no idea how appealing this whole place would be if it was teeming with customers.  Feel free to leave comments below if you have some ideas.

After a short but futile search for the pumpkin patch, we hopped back in the minivan to further explore.  We sidled along 107, toward Redding Ridge — one of two places to grab a bite to eat.  How I wished I had a designated driver, because the abundance of colonial architecture and properties is SUCH a distraction.  Redding has been home to scores of intellectuals and artists, and was the final home to one Mark Twain — after whom the town library is named.  If rain ruins your day trip, I’d suggest pulling up their website to see if there are any fun programs available.

The Redding Ridge Market & Deli shares a parking lot with the wine store, and the post office... and that's about it.  Country is the flavor of music playing over the speakers.   Teens sip milkshakes at the counter after putting in time at top-notch Joel Barlow High School, while other locals grab a loaf of bread so they don’t have to head into ’town.'  For daytrippers, it’s where you can score Boar’s Head sandwiches before traipsing through the open space of Huntington State Park, hiking the likes of Saugatuck Falls Natural Area and Centennial State Forest, or watching a Revolutionary War reenactment at Putnam Memorial State Park (CT's version of Valley Forge, and our state's first Archaelogical Preserve).  If you’re on the northwest side of town (West Redding), you do have a couple more food options.  Try the New Station House for sit-down breakfast, brunch or lunch.  It’s open until 3pm, but closed on Tuesdays.  After 3pm, head across the street for pizza at Lombardi’s. 

And that would be enough … but there’s more.  If you live within 15 minutes of Redding, there is another sprawling resource you may want to consider.   For a $75 family membership, New Pond Farm offers a regionally unique chance to connect with the land through it’s environmental education center and working farm.  Membership comes with access to the 102-acre site for hiking, picnicking, and cross-country skiing, as well as discounts on educational programs, including their astronomy observatory.  And you can buy milk straight from the cow (so to speak -- it IS pasteurized).

And by this point, the exhaustion of fresh air and a long, full day will have set in.  Thank you, Redding.  We hope to return soon.

Warrup's Farm
11 John Read Rd.,
Redding, CT 06896.
203-938-9403