Horse Farm, Middletown, CT:
Agriculture played a major role in the early growth of CT as one of the original 13 colonies that would form the USA particularly in the Connecticut River valley which provided fertile soil, temperate climate and easy access to markets. As the Industrial Revolution helped focus capital on mercantile centers in the 19th century, Connecticut farmers over time ceded their relative economic and political influence.
In the 21st century, farming remains a relatively small but still significant industry in Connecticut, employing some 12,000 people as of 2010. Ending years of steady declines, between 2002 and 2012 the number of Connecticut farms increased 43% with one possible cause an increased consumer appetite for locally sourced food, drawing some younger people to start up small farms. Connecticut had nearly 6,000 farms with 437,000 acres of land as of 2012, producing $551 million in revenue that year. In 1986, Connecticut created the Connecticut Grown Program to help farmers promote products to consumers who wish to buy locally. Horses ranked 11th on a list of the top 15 agricultural products of Connecticut by value as of 2015.
Middletown is a city located in Middlesex County, CT, along the Connecticut River, in the central part of the state. Originally a busy sailing port and then an industrial center, it is now largely residential with its downtown—mainly Main Street—serving as a popular retail, dining, and bar district close to Wesleyan University. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 47,648.
Many horse farms thrive within the City limits offering a range of services including: Riding lessons, boarding (full or pasture), Equestrian Events, Dressage, Sales and breeding.