• Sabrina SantoroNeighbor

  • Orange, CT

My husband, Ernie, and I own Sunflower Farm in Orange. We have been in business here since late eighties. This has been my husband's full time occupation since our first child was born. I worked full time for the Judicial Branch for over 32 years while also working here at Sunflower Farm.  I am now happily retired from that position and spend my days here, working with my husband, growing plants, creating hand made soaps and other items, and tending to my bees.   I am also an "accidental market master".  Several years ago I joined a small farmers' market that was opening on Walnut Beach in Milford.  I was one of only a handful of vendors that participated in the market.  After the first year, the person running the market chose to not return, due to the distance they were traveling to attend and the size of our customer base, which was loyal but tiny.  At that time, feeling a dedication to our customers and the remaining vendors, I volunteered to become the market master, and that's where my true involvement began.  We spent another year there at Walnut Beach, and then searched for a more central location in Milford.  I had the good fortune of being introduced to Joe and Louis Agro, who generously volunteered the use of their parking lot at 58 River Street, downtown Milford.  Kathy Donovan, a Milford resident, generously jumped on board and continues to offer untold hours of her time booking entertainment, brainstorming new ideas, setting up tents and more.  We've been there now for 5 years, and our tiny market has grown from 3 weekly tents to 20.  What was once a place to swing by to pick up a few things, has developed into a weekly community event, where neighbors stop to chat and new acquaintances and friendships are born.   Our hardworking vendors have become a market family, and have developed close ties to this wonderful community.  The customers that began with us at the beach still visit us weekly, although they still miss us being in their neighborhood.  

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