One Of The Most Incredible Small Businesses In Rhode Island, Jaswell’s Farm Has Been Family-Owned For More Than A Century
By Melissa Mahoney|Published August 04, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
If you grew up in Rhode Island, then you may know about Smithfield’s Apple Valley, which was named for the growth of the apple economy around the turn of the 20th century. Around that time, in 1899, a man by the name of Nicholas Jaswell (nee Nicola Gesualdi) started his own farm several years after he emigrated from Italy.
The farm survived both a flu pandemic as well as the Great Depression. In the 1930s, Nicholas’s son Joe (a.k.a. “Papa Joe”) took over the farming operations, harvesting crops that were then brought to and sold at the farmer’s market in Providence. Joe’s son Richard had helped on the farm and he eventually took it over with his wife Pat in 1967 as third-generation farm owners. And this is where we begin.
The hardworking and determined husband-and-wife team, Richard and Pat, eventually built Jaswell’s Farm’s first farmstand in order to sell their crops directly to customers.
Over time, the farm’s business and customer base grew, making it the go-to place for fresh produce in northern Rhode Island. In 1970, a cider mill was added; and in 1998, an apple cider pasteurizer and bakery.
The evolving farm business was eventually taken over by the brother and sister team, Christopher Jaswell and Allison Jaswell Molis. They are one of very few brother/sister farm owners in the state, which is almost as rare as the fact that the siblings are fourth-generation farmers.
Like their parents, Chris and Allison work diligently and tirelessly to grow the farm’s business while maintaining excellent relationships with customers. As Allison says of her parents, "They continue to inspire us today [...] Every day we aspire to continue our proud family tradition and inspire our children to do the same!"
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Jaswell’s farm is known for its variety of farm-fresh produce that includes everything from berries, peaches, plums, cherries, asparagus, rhubarb, tomatoes, corn, and plenty of other seasonal fruits and vegetables.
The fall brings assorted squashes, pumpkins, and of course, pick-your-own apples! In 2020, Jaswell’s Farm was named one of the best places in the country to pick apples by Delish.com.
When asked what is his favorite product made on the farm, Chris Jaswell doesn't hesitate: "Our apple cider. Allison calls me the master mixologist because of the different varieties of apples that I use (secret family blend) and the flavor changes throughout the year. My kids are our best customers!"
From the on-site bakery, which has expanded over the years, offerings include fruit pies, a variety of pastries, and apple cider donuts, a customer favorite along with gourmet candy apples.
The farm makes caramel, chocolate caramel, candy, and some creatively decadent gourmet apples which have been featured on Food Network and in Yankee Magazine.
As for a favorite product they make, she says, "My favorite product that we make is our gourmet apples, because we use our Honeycrisp apples to make them! A choice Jaswell Honeycrisp apple covered in creamy caramel, rolled in candy topping, and smothered with milk chocolate... delicious!"
Chris and Allison feel fortunate to have the incredibly hard-working team and loyal customers they do.
Just as generations of Jaswells have taken over farming operations, generations of customers return time and again to pick apples and purchase produce and baked goods from the farm store. The Jaswell family also make it a point to know their regular customers and treat them like family.
Jaswell’s Farm also supports the community in a variety of ways, but does so quietly and under-the-radar.
Allison says, "We support our local schools with fundraisers and advertising as well as with products. Our main mission is to feed as many people as possible. We work very closely with our regional and local food banks and directly with food insecure community organizations to get local produce to those who are in need. Each year, we donate all of our excess produce as well as baked goods, cider, and more to local kitchens and organizations to help feed those in need around the state. We are proud to support our local first responders as well as our veterans."
Allison has two children of her own while Chris has three. They feel very fortunate to have their own business that has allowed them to spend more quality time with their children who are often seen at the farm.
Perhaps a fifth generation will take over in the future. We can only hope so!
For more information on days and hours of operation, picking schedule, farm events, online store, and more, visit the Jaswell’s Farm website or give them a call at (401) 231-9043. You can also follow Jaswell’s on Facebook and Instagram.
Do you have a favorite Rhode Island small business you would like to see featured on OnlyInYourState? Let us know! You can also learn about other wonderful places around the Ocean State on the Only In Rhode Island Facebook and Instagram pages.
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