2008 Agricultural Blue Ribbons!

The weather for the this year's Brooklyn Fair couldn't be better, the visitors more friendly, and prize winning fruits and vegetables... well, lets just say Benjamin didn't disappoint his fans.  "I've seen him swim, and he's no Michael Phelps, " quipped Ben's Dad, " but he is a steady competitor in agriculture".

Ben, who added 5 new blue ribbons to his collection this year in the categories of Best Pumpkin, Best Zucchini, Best plate of Sweet Corn, Best Plate of Green Bell Peppers and (naturally) Best plate of McIntosh Apples, spoke realistically about his success;  "No two (growing) seasons are the same, so you never know what you're going to get out of the orchard before fair time; we were lucky to present as well as we did."  While being modest during his interview, a passing visitor to the Home and Garden Exhibit expressed more excitement; "That pumpkin is so perfect it looks artificial!", she spontaneously remarked to her partner as they viewed the display.

In another twist this year, an enthusiastic Brooklyn Fair attendee couldn't contain themself and apparently worked their way behind the display barrier to harvest one of Ben's prize winning McIntosh, reducing the traditional tray of 5 down to a tray of 4 perfect apples.  A replacement was brought in from the orchard the next day.

Meanwhile, more honest fair goers were able to avail themselves of many Benjamin's Orchard Farmstand products, being sold in the local agriculture tent by Ben and Mom.  If you haven't done so yourself, we invite you enjoy the country's longest continuously operated agricultural fair, and come by to say "Hello!".

2007 Agricultural Blue Ribbons!

Once again, Benjamin's Apples took a Blue Ribbon, for first place at the annual Brooklyn Fair, which has recently been called the "Best Agricultural Fair in New England", by Yankee Magazine.

In addition to presenting some early season Cortlands with excellent size color, and complexion; Ben was also awarded three other Blue Ribbons for finest Cubanelle Peppers, largest Zucchini, and finest Pumpkin.

Ben modestly submits he was lucky as there were plenty of worthy entries, but he also knows that the four Blue Ribbons in produce confirm the saying that: "The quality we grow can't be better!"

The 2007 fair stood out for Ben for another reason as well. Visited by friends and relatives from around the Northeast, Ben unveiled a 1970 Jacobsen Garden Tractor, displayed in "Tractor Row", that he recently finished restoring from scrap, including a complete engine rebuild, during the last two winter's weekends in his farm shop. This tractor joins a small "fleet" of other antiques that Ben, his Dad, and Grandfather John have restored and maintained for daily tasks at the orchard.

While all exhibitors of antique farm equipment are all awarded Participation Ribbons, Ben's youthful diligence was acknowledged by the fair's machinery superintendent with a special "Blue Participation Ribbon", as he was the youngest demonstrator of his own craftsmanship in this category.