Cigar Rolling Machine

The rolling shop at Enfield Shade Tobacco.  This is a cigar rolling machine.  Two men can produce 1000 cigars an hour.  It's amazing how quiet the machine is. 

 A True working man cigar.  Fresh off the press.  

Regal Palm Products are packaged here on site in Enfield, Connecticut. For more information contact Ken Chickosky at regalpalmtobacco.com  or   regalpalm@gmail.com.  I truly felt like I was in a candy store. The earthy smell of all the great flavors of blending tobaccos is so much better than any walk in humidor. So cool an owner would open his business give the ok to take pictures, and answer questions.  

Thanks Ken Chickosky owner of Enfield Shade Tobacco. Today was a Great Day !!!  

Cigar being rolled by machine in Connecticut

Visiting a farm tomorrow in Enfield Ct.The owner grows his broadleaf crop then rolls his cigars by machine. I can't wait to blog about the visit.

Cover crop

After harvest farmers disk the ground next they spin on 50 pounds of field rye per acre. Last we disk the  ground very lightly so the seed doesn't sink to deep.At last the Field work is completed.   

Harvest party

The harvest tradition has began. After the 100 hour weeks for the owner who planted in May. Harvest is Done. In East Windsor , Enfield , Suffield and Westfield. The owners Throw a party for the employees with pizza, chicken, rice and more good food. Finally a chance to relax to enjoy and reflect on there accomplishments - complement every one who helped in harvesting. Those who planted early and late June will complete there Broadleaf harvest by The first week of September.

Broadleaf farm tour

Special invitation to those interested in learning more about CT Broadleaf.  Get a free hands on tour of 3 Broadleaf  Farms in Connecticut, learn more about The Connecticut Broadleaf Tobacco from seed to wrapper.  Email me for more info  Craig Miner  ctvalleyb12@gmail.com

Curing Broadleaf

 Stems and veins are still green in color, quality of the leaf and thickness is very impressive. Walking into a shed has the aroma of a heavy sweet earthy Backwoods smell times 100. Some people walk into a shed then walk right out due to the smell being to strong. Other people as myself smell the tobacco and a huge smile comes on my face. Truly Heaven. I have enjoyed this tradition, experience this way of life for 40 years. Being able to share this crop this way of life from seed to ash through this blog. Seeing how many viewers is cool. This weekend the blog will be viewed over 1,000 time. From countries as Russia , Poland, China, Greece, France, Italy, Canada, and more....    

  

 

Broadleaf

{ Browning Stage}

6 Weeks then crop will be packaged and shipped.

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Yellow Stage of Curing. We had three day's of rain so the shed burner's were lit because the tobacco felt clammy with a heavy salty odor smell. After 24 hours the burners were turned off the rain stopped. Sides of the sheds opened and the curing continues. 

This shed picture would make a great calender picture.

True Work

The amount of work that goes into raising a crop of Broadleaf is unimaginable, indescribable, back burning work. 6,000  plants per acre.  In the green house the plants are pulled by hand. Plants are transplanted in the field. Tons and tons of lifting fertilizer by hand and more using your Back. Weeding acre after acre. All this conditioning gets the body ready for harvest. Swinging the hatchet as you are bent over placing the plant with a gingerly touch neatly in rows. Not standing strait up till the end of the rows  my o' my these rows are a football field in length if your lucky.  All the way to 1/4 mile long, handing plant after plant in front of you all day.  Then raising the heavy full lath up into the rafters of the Sheds.  With 80 and 90 degree's heat. These men and women are truly the toughest workers I have been around.  Roofer's , Landscapers, Construction workers have nothing on a Farm worker. Now after describing the physical toughness this is even more remarkable, Farm workers are the nicest most caring People on earth. The quality of work the pride and willingness to help other fellow workers is truly amazing . Then there is an owner behind every Family Broadleaf farm. There the ones who put up the money raise the crop. Deal with weather, crop disease, then and only then if the crop is good it can go on the market for sale. A true Labor of Love !

Broadleaf : Early harvesting almost complete

Broadleaf : Early harvesting almost complete: The Growers who planted in May are finishing harvesting . Early June Planting of broadleaf is 40 percent Complete. Growers that planted lat...

    

Harvesting Broadleaf

Visiting my favorite Broadleaf farm in Enfield, Connecticut. 

Chopping tobacco

Laying the broadleaf down and letting it wilt, then we begin picking up the broadleaf

Handling the broadleaf with care. Walking and raising plants so they never drag on the ground.

Tobacco riggens are filled and brought to the sheds.

These leaves are truly the best I have seen in years.  

Heavy thick dark green leaves {Slight tint of gold, the signs of ripe tobacco}.

While hanging tobacco men stand on poles and place each stick (lath) one by one .