News and Commentary

Our team at Judge & Associates Wealth Management recently had the opportunity to visit the Chrysalis Center Food Forest at Cosgrove Commons in Hartford, an inspiring example of how a relatively small urban space can make a meaningful impact. Sean, the Food Forest’s master gardener, gave us a tour and shared his extensive knowledge of the growing techniques used to maximize production in a limited space. The Food Forest combines several approaches, including raised garden beds, alley cropping, espalier fruit trees, and a high-density apple orchard. The site includes 45 raised beds with 39 varieties of fruits and vegetables, along with an orchard designed to support seven dwarf apple trees in a compact area. What makes the work even more impressive is what happens with the harvest. The food grown here helps support members of the local community experiencing food insecurity, while produce from the gardens is also incorporated into Chrysalis Center’s catering efforts. The impact extends well beyond growing food. Located behind housing that helps veterans adjust and build skills for greater independence, the Food Forest is part of a larger environment centered on opportunity and community. We learned about veterans participating in the catering program and mentoring young adults who are facing challenges—creating a cycle in which people receiving support can develop skills and, in turn, support others. And the Food Forest is only part of the story. Chrysalis Center also operates an indoor hydroponic growing location, while this outdoor site continues developing into an increasingly sustainable urban ecosystem, with new wildlife making its home there. We’re grateful to Sean for sharing his knowledge, enthusiasm, and vision with us, and to Chrysalis Center for inviting Judge & Associates Wealth Management to see firsthand the work we’re proud to support. It was a great reminder that a garden can grow much more than food—it can grow skills, opportunity, connection, and community. 🌿🍎 #ChrysalisCenter #JudgeAndAssociates #HartfordCT #FoodForest #CommunityImpact #UrbanAgriculture #FoodSecurity #Sustainability #SupportingOurCommunity

✨ An Evening of Inspiration, Gratitude & Giving Back ✨ We’re still smiling after such a wonderful evening at our Annual Client Appreciation Dinner featuring renowned keynote speaker and bestselling author Ben Nemtin! A heartfelt thank you to all of our clients and guests who joined us. Ben shared his inspiring message about the power of the bucket list—encouraging us to think about what we truly want to accomplish in our lives, prioritize the things that matter most, and take meaningful steps toward making them happen. As co-founder of The Buried Life and author of What Do You Want to Do Before You Die?, Ben has inspired people around the world to dream bigger, take action, and help others along the way. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to share his message with our clients. The evening was also about giving back. ❤️ Thanks to the generosity of everyone who attended, we raised more than $655 for the Connecticut Humane Society, in addition to all of the wonderful donated items collected at the event! 🐾 We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed and helped make a difference for animals in need throughout our community. And for those who would like to experience Ben’s message again—or weren’t able to join us that evening—a video of his presentation will be shared with our clients soon! 🎥 Most importantly, thank you to our clients. Your trust and relationships mean so much to our entire team, and evenings like this are one of our favorite opportunities to spend time together, connect outside of the office, and show our appreciation. Here’s to dreaming big, helping others, and checking a few more things off our bucket lists! 🪣✨ #ClientAppreciation #BenNemtin #BucketList #ConnecticutHumaneSociety #GivingBack #Judge&AssociatesWealthManagement

Medicare is one of those topics that can get confusing pretty quickly. Between the different parts, plan options, costs, and enrollment decisions, there’s a lot to navigate. We wanted to share a great resource available through Janney. We’ve partnered with ClearMatch to help clients compare Medicare options and connect with licensed insurance agents who can guide them through the process at no cost or obligation. If you have questions about Medicare or know a friend or family member who could use some help navigating their options, please feel free to reach out to us. We’d be happy to help point you in the right direction. #Medicare #RetirementPlanning #FinancialPlanning #Janney