River Ridge Farm & Market is a four-season diversified farm growing fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, and value-added products with a deep commitment to regenerative agriculture and community resilience. Founded in 2020 on leased land, the farm now operates across 35 acres in Portland, Connecticut, with additional growing sites in Cheshire, Glastonbury, and Middletown.

Rooted in low and no-till practices, cover cropping, and composting, River Ridge works to rebuild soil health, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen the region’s food system. The farm sells directly to consumers through seven weekly farmers markets, a year-round brick-and-mortar store in Middletown, and through wholesale partnerships with schools, restaurants, and distribution hubs. The Middletown market—intentionally located in an underserved area—accepts WIC, EBT, and FMNP and also serves as a retail space for other local growers and makers. River Ridge regularly donates excess produce to local food banks and plays an active leadership role in farmer advocacy through the New Connecticut Farmers Alliance.

In 2024, River Ridge secured a long-term lease at the historic Ives Farm in Cheshire. In partnership with the Cheshire Land Trust, the team will begin soil remediation and cultivation of up to 20 acres over the next five years. This expansion will focus on storage crops to bolster winter inventory, pilot u-pick flowers and pumpkins, and launch a second retail location—seasonal in 2025 and year-round by 2026.

Their low-interest loan from Foodshed Capital helped River Ridge refinance higher-interest debt and invest in critical infrastructure to support this next chapter. New tools like a vacuum seeder, transplanter, and side mulcher—along with cold storage upgrades and a flatbed trailer—will improve efficiency, scale, and inter-site transport. These investments will directly support River Ridge’s mission to grow good food, nourish community, and build a stronger, more equitable food system in Connecticut.