By Phoebe Swetish.

Through the winding greenery of East Bridgewater, CN Smith Farm lays nestled quaintly awaiting local shoppers, animal lovers, keen gardeners, and interested visitors. The farm has been treasured and passed down for four generations and is currently managed by Kate Smith, whose father, Chris Smith, and aunt, Caryl Gaurino, own the farm. Kate spent her childhood helping her family’s business and eventually acquired the skills needed to take on her current position, which she happily occupies. The familial dynamic continues through staff interactions as they can be observed offering a helping hand in passing or simply providing a friendly greeting.

Ashley Flaherty, the farm’s media manager and donut house worker, commented on her close relationship with her coworkers. She was quick to speak fondly of the farm’s positive atmosphere, adding that she knew the Smiths throughout her childhood before applying to work on the farm. After maintaining her position since 2021, Ashley continues to work alongside her twin sister, Brianna, in the donut house, tending to the ever-changing seasonal tasks at hand. 

Dating back to the 1920s, CN Smith Farm has hosted years of annual traditions that families have adopted as their own. There is no doubt that the homey feeling is partially responsible for the return of these families that gravitate towards the “Pick Your Own” attractions every year. The farm’s diverse selection of home-grown fruits gives visitors a plethora of tasty options to choose from. Not only does the “Pick Your Own” system give visitors an opportunity to select their produce, but also provides sweet memories. This summer, the farm is abundant with blueberries, raspberries, and most famously, peaches! These products are completely weather dependent and their success is determined by the climate of the previous months. Luckily, the 2024 spring laid the groundwork for a flourishing selection of produce to be enjoyed by visitors this summer. 

CN Smith has been hosting “Pick Your Own Peaches” for twenty years, and it has become an essential summer activity for families in the East Bridgewater area and beyond. Manager Kate commented on how peach season has always been her favorite, nothing can beat the rewarding feeling she experiences when families come back year after year. As it was an integral part of her childhood, she is happy to continue those memories as a manager. Beyond the greenhouses and farmstand building, a dirt path leads visitors to rows of plentiful peach trees, each colorful with fruit. There, visitors can select which peaches they would like to take home. Massachusetts’ weather changes vastly from month to month and the farm coordinates exciting family activities year-round. “Pick Your Own” continues into the fall season as new crops to harvest become readily available. Those who visit can look forward to apple and pumpkin picking, accompanied by warm house-made donuts. 

CN Smith Farm is most definitely a local shopper’s paradise. Inside the greenhouses, ripe tomatoes and cucumbers hang from their vines, ready to be harvested and brought to the farmstand building to be purchased. In the mowed over corn fields, potatoes and onions grow underground while cabbage, kale, and melons grow above. If visitors don’t have a chance to stop by the farmstand building, these products can be found when CN Smith Farm participates in the farmer’s market at the Braintree Town Hall as well as their new farmstand in West Bridgewater. Along with fresh produce, they carry various jarred products that are bound to catch any food lover’s eye. Quesos and salsas, homemade at different spice levels, pickled asparagus, sweet onion relish, red cherry preserves, bread and butter pickles, hot peaches, banana butter… the list goes on. Visit CN Smith Farm and you’ll be sure to find something you love!

CN Smith
325 South Street, E. Bridgewater MA 02333

Note: for a limited time we are giving away a CN Smith $50 gift card to one lucky reader of our e-news TIDINGS. Not on ourlist yet? Sign up HERE. Drawing to be held on July 22, 2024.