The Farmers

The 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm

Connecting youth to agriculture is perhaps the best thing we can do for future generations. Educating people with hands-on skills in the fields of agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, and animal welfare will only benefit all. The 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm does this everyday. Giving students capabilities beyond their wildest dreams they embrace the 4-H method of education and enable young people to connect with nature. It is true that no one can be a master of anything without years and continuous hours of practice. Learning is the most important aspect of growing oneself and the best time to do that is at a young age. Auerfarm’s emphasis on youth and public engagement to bring agriculture to not only the classroom but straight from the field has put this on the map for agricultural education. The innovative work within hands-on learning is helping develop people’s minds and making a healthy impact on their lives. The initiatives to promote sustainable agriculture and youth development help bring the essence of 4-H into the world.

Arrowhead Acres

A former dairy turned bakery with a small winery. The title fits a diverse farm that has changed throughout the years to ensure survival but also to bring new products to the community. In North Franklin, Arrowhead Acres has turned unused land into production and aims to bring the very best products to whoever visits. The innovative work with the bakery and winery are key components to highlighting the quintessential New England farm. The initiatives of Arrowhead Acres is leading to create an image for all farms to use as a reference in making  a successful diverse farm.

Assawaga Farm

Being sustainable both economically and environmentally should be every farm's goal. Assawaga farm provides a bountiful harvest on a small scale and does so to provide the community and local farmers markets with fresh, nutritious produce.Food has always been the place between us and the earth; the connection that mother nature can provide us with. Assawaga farm’s emphasis on specialized infertility and biodiversity strives to promote that connection. The innovative work to bring a variety of nutritious vegetables to the quiet corner of Connecticut is an inspiration for many to do the same. The initiatives leading to promote organic and sustainable production practices are what people want a connection with their food.

Bush Meadow Farm

Imagine a vacation that allows you to be around animals, nature, and embrace a little hard work. An AirBnB on a farm. Bush Meadow Farm has had this idea from the beginning. They provide a unique experience for anyone coming for a wedding or Farm-cation. Connecting ag with the public for years they have come to appreciate sustainability all the while embracing extravagant ideas and operations. Oftentimes, when people participate in an event, they do so for the memorable experience. Bush Meadow Farm has always offered the unique and quality experience families always look for.Bush Meadow's emphasis on connecting people to the outdoors and natural environment through memorable events such as weddings, baby showers, etc has always provided everyone with the desire to return. The innovative work within agritourism has brought countless visitors to this farm.

Common Ground High School

An education system is the backbone of a country's future. Agriculture is the limiting factor in a nation's strength. Mixing the two to help young people prosper is an endeavor every school system should be heading towards. At Common Ground students learn about urban agriculture and how to connect with food in an educational way. Planting seeds, growing leaders, and cultivating leaders, are the words that Common Ground fully embodies and tries to emulate in New Haven, CT. This educational center’s emphasis on connecting communities with agriculture and the environment has made them a leader in hands-on education. The innovative work to provide low-income children and families with nutritious produce and free educational programs has been the core of what they do. The initiatives to engage the youth and general public to show how they can give back to our planet will serve Connecticut well for many generations to come.

Freund’s Farm

Since the Freund Family began farming in 1949, they have made East Canaan a more sustainable and friendly place. The Freund’s are known for their invention of CowPots and their high tech dairy cattle facility. Now with three generations, work on the farm to help make their world a better place. With their farm stand, tours, gift shop, and specialty foods, they show people from all corners of the Northeast that agriculture is not just an occupation, it is a passion. New England has always been known for beautiful dairy farms. Freund's Farm has always been full of sustainable practices and the cowpot us a good example of how much sustainability means to your farm. Your farm’s emphasis on environmental stewardship should be followed by every dairy farm in order to benefit future generations like you have always done. The innovative work in no till, biogas, and alternative energy make Freund’s Farm, a farm of the future.

March Farm

March Farms has been a Bethlehem gem since 1915 and has brought everything to the hills of the Christmas town. From dairy to apples and hayrides in between it is a destination for everyone in the area to create memories of peach picking and corn mazes. They also help many people start their futures together with their weddings. There is nothing more honorable than sticking with the family business. There is nothing more rewarding than when the family business has to adjust from traditional procedures to adjust to changes and does so effectively. March farm’s emphasis on creating a family experience for all who visit, encourages customers from all over the northeast to stop by. The innovative work within your CSA, bakery, and weddings appeals to consumers from all ends of the spectrum.

Podunk Popcorn & Dzen Tree Farm

The Dzen Family have been leading Connecticut Agriculture with innovative ideas, and always planning ahead. Whether it be there popcorn or Christmas Trees owner John Dzen says that at the farm they “sell memories, not commodities”. When you see their wooden reindeer at the entrance, the fiberglass Santa at the top of the hill, and the real reindeer in Santa’s Village you will understand why generations of families have been returning to the Dzen’s in South Windsor. Being current is something every business tries to do but few can say that they have done it as successfully as the Dzen Family. Dzen Tree farm’s emphasis on adapting to changing markets has always brought a wholesome view of agriculture directly to your consumers. The innovative work done specifically with popcorn is what drew us in as we see your operation as a goal for every farm to strive for.

Stone Gardens Farm

Family farms are a staple of New England’s rolling hills and fields. They have always provided communities with fresh produce and resources. Stone Gardens is no exception. They give all who visit the best products and ways in which customers can use those goods through recipes and their on farm kitchen. A farm is the place many of us know that provides food, fiber, and fuel. A farmer is the steward of the land whom without, none of those products would be made. Stone gardens farm’s emphasis on local food production and connecting to your customers to provide them nutritious high quality products is what puts them on the map. The innovative work within their industrial kitchen to produce pre-made healthy meals for their community is second to none.

Sub-Edge Farm

A connection between a consumer and producer is one that needs to occur in every community in order for us to return to more simpler times. Having a connection to our food has always been important but having a connection to those who grow our food is even more valuable. At Sub-Edge, you strive to bring good, local, nutritious food to families, chefs, and restaurants alike. Their promotion of a healthy lifestyle starts from the soil and can only be managed through their rigorous practices. Sub Edge’s emphasis on organic and locally grown food has given those in their area a way to go back to the agriculture of our ancestors . The innovative work within bringing the food to chefs and restaurants has sparked much interest and appreciation to agriculture as a whole. The initiatives to bring people to the farm through events such as farm to table, allows people to have that valuable connection to their foods’ producer.

The Farm

Old fashioned agriculture and modern technology help make The Farm a special place for all in Southern Litchfield County. They produce the highest quality vegetables and meats and offer it to the community as part of a Community Supported Agriculture program. They bring agritourism and tradition production methods together for a unique experience to anyone of any age. Everyone wants to get their produce from a picture perfect farm, and visit a place that will create memories for their families. The farm’s emphasis on agritourism and bringing the consumer to the producer have created that perfect image. The innovative work to provide for the local communities in your area has helped shape agriculture in southern Litchfield County. The initiatives leading to provide people the chance to connect to their food and the agricultural industry.