Irish Bend Orchard

History

We are a 4th generation family run farm and orchard in rural Somers, Connecticut.  Our orchard is part of a larger working farm.  The farm was bought by Benjamin Pinney in 1890.  With his wife Lizzie Thompson, they grew potatoes, tobacco, and planted the first apple trees on the farm.  He made cider and sold some of the apples to local cider mills, including the Thompson Cider Mill in East Windsor. 

Fast forward to 2003...We planted our first apple and peach trees on the highest part of the farm on Pioneer Heights Road.  We currently have 7 acres planted with fruit.

Willard Pinney was Benjamin's youngest child and took over the farm in the 1940's with his wife Harriet Keeney.  He expanded the farm with new land purchases and also cleared existing land.  Willard continued to grow tobacco, potatoes and also bottled his own milk.