Watch Our Slideshow of this Beloved Easton Tradition
A year ago this November, Citizens for Easton lost a beloved board member and friend, Jane Paley Price, but — as she always is — Jane was with us in memory this past Saturday at the annual farm tour named in her honor.
Several hundred attended this 15th annual Farm Tour on an August day you couldn’t have quite made up — a few clouds, warm, light breeze — following a day you wouldn’t have wanted to. Most came from Easton (one attendee as far away as Lake Ronkonkoma, on Long Island) to once again see firsthand what Easton has come to represent for so many of us: A small town proud of its natural heritage, and especially proud of its agricultural one.
The story behind our “Farm Tour,” in fact, begins with Jane and another esteemed board member, Ellie Susmeyer. Mindful that CFE often seemed to be “against” something rather than for something, Jane — fresh to Easton after a lifetime in New York City — and Ellie offered an inspired prescription. They reminded us that what we were “for” had been right there in front of us all along: Easton’s long and rich heritage of agriculture, and those tenacious farmers who battled economic headwinds (and especially the rocks) to carve a life out of the soil.
We named this year’s tour in Jane’s honor because (well) how could we not?
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Ellie, who along with Jane, has been so instrumental in the success of the tour over the years, along with the rest of our board — and to thank the 478 attendees who took some time out of their busy lives to see why Easton is so special. I also want to thank the participating farmers and all the farmers in town. They are all valued members of our beloved community who give so much to Easton and have for generations.
But I especially want to thank Jane. Without her care, devotion and energy, the Farm Tour would have never happened, or certainly would have never just celebrated a15th anniversary. Her passion is testament to the importance of community involvement: Any community is only as good as its constituents, and the obligation of each of us is to make that community a better place. Jane was the exemplar, the shining example of this, and her example lives on.
“We had a great time, and it was so kind and meaningful that it was dedicated to my mom,” said Brian Price, Jane’s son. “The kids loved it. We love being part of a community centered around agriculture and healthy living. Visiting the farms is a daily activity for my family, but it was especially meaningful during the tour as a way to honor my wonderful mother.”
See the full list of Easton farms, supplied by the Agricultural Commission, https://www.eastonct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3071/f/uploads/listing_of_easton_farmsfarm_maps_updated_with_updated_farm_map_info_.pdf
Press the right arrow to advance the slideshow of photos commemorating the 15th annual Easton Farm Tour.
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