Our History

1935 – 1985

The Beginning: Robert S. Josephy

In 1935, Robert S. Josephy purchased a 50-acre dairy and vegetable farm on Plumtrees Road. The property included about 25 aging apple trees, and those trees would ultimately inspire the future of the farm. Josephy planted his first orchard in the spring of 1935, growing both apples and peaches. Over the following decades he planted additional orchards and acquired neighboring farmland, eventually expanding the farm to roughly 140 acres.

The name has a story of its own: Josephy originally called his farm Blue “J” Orchards, the “J” standing for Josephy. Hand-painted wooden signs once pointed travelers toward the farm with a large, light-blue letter J. Over time, Blue “J” became the name generations of families would come to know — Blue Jay Orchards.

1985 – 2025

A New Chapter: The Patterson Family

In 1985, after roughly 50 years of Josephy family stewardship, the farm was sold to Paul and Mary Patterson. The Pattersons expanded the retail side of the farm and introduced the pick-your-own experience that would become central to Blue Jay’s identity. The farm market grew, the bakery became known for its cider donuts and pies, and apple picking, pumpkins, and wagon rides helped turn Blue Jay into a beloved fall tradition for generations of families.

Throughout nearly four decades of stewardship, the Pattersons kept Blue Jay a family operation, with their children and grandchildren becoming part of the orchard’s story alongside longtime employees and the community. For Paul and Mary, Blue Jay was much more than a business, it was one of the great treasures of their lives, and they took tremendous joy in seeing families return to the orchard year after year.

Paul S. Patterson passed away in November 2024, followed by his wife, Mary D. Patterson, in October of 2025. Their dedication helped shape Blue Jay into the beloved orchard it is today, and their legacy will continue to live on here for generations to come.

2025 – Present

The Next Generation: The Covino Family

In December 2025, the Covino family purchased Blue Jay Orchards, beginning the next chapter in the farm’s history. For the Covinos, orcharding is nothing new, our family also owns and operates Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard in North Salem, New York, where we grow apples and welcome families each year for apple picking and seasonal farm traditions.

When the opportunity arose to become the next stewards of Blue Jay Orchards, we understood we weren’t simply purchasing a farm, we were being entrusted with a piece of Bethel’s history. Generations have walked these orchards, picked apples from these trees, visited the farm market, and enjoyed Blue Jay’s cider donuts. Keeping Blue Jay an active, working apple orchard is deeply important to our family, and we look forward to caring for the land, renewing the orchards for future generations, and continuing the traditions that Robert Josephy began and the Patterson family carried forward.

From the Josephy family, to the Patterson family, and now to the Covino family, we’re proud to carry Blue Jay Orchards forward, and grateful to be part of the next chapter of a place that means so much to the Bethel community. Here’s to the next generation of Blue Jay traditions.