Auerfarm’s annual fundraiser, Party in Plaid Farm to Table Dinner & Auction event is scheduled for Friday, June 24 from 6pm-9pm at the pavilion on its 120-acre farm in Bloomfield.
This year, the theme of the Party in Plaid Farm-To-Table event is to be ‘Auer Soil Mate’. We invite you to help invest in our planet and Auerfarm by helping to combat climate change with healthy soil; together we will find common ground in making a difference locally and globally. For over 46 years, Auerfarm has supported children and adults of all ages with hands-on farm-based education. A unique opportunity that provides access to educational opportunities to everyone. This annual event helps support Auerfarm’s all-year farm-based educational programs and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) experiential programming not often found in other public programming.
Zach Duda, Farm Business Manager said, “We live in a world of uncertainty, change is inevitable and we want to ensure we move forward in a sustainable, ethical, and effective manner. As we strive to combat climate change, provide clean, nutrient dense food to everyone and protect our natural resources we have numerous tools at our disposal. Soil is one of them and Auerfarm is acutely aware that the world that exists under our feet can serve as the catalyst for our endeavors. From sequestering carbon, retaining water, producing nutrient dense food and increasing microbiomes the soil can save us. If we produce healthy soils, we will create a healthy planet and healthier people.” The event will feature locally sourced four-course meals prepared by Onyx Elite LLC. The farm-to-table dinner is $125.00 per person and includes live music, auction items, adult beverages, and barn tours by Ben Carroll, Farm Assistant. By demand, we will continue to offer the Auerfarm Stars’ premium package. A private table for eight in your choice of the Auerfarm orchard, Play Forest, Scenic Vista Hay Field, or Nourishing Garden. Only one table per location is available, first come first serve; includes dinner for 8, wait service, and two bottles of wine for $1,500.
“Come and experience the magic of Auerfarm and visit with our animals, tour the new pollinator garden, enjoy the gardens, and engage with the Auerfarm youth who will benefit from your support.” said Erica Fearn, Executive Director, Auerfarm. “It is a special day to cultivate lasting relationships with families, community, and business leaders. It is also your opportunity to play an important role in the advancing educational opportunities to many children, teens, and families in the Greater Hartford area. Farm-based education is exceptionally powerful because it’s hands-on and experimental. The pure joy that we see in a child’s face when they hold a chicken, discover a worm in the soil, or have a cow eat grass from their hand illustrates the learning impact that this type of education can have on children and adults.”
During the past two months, Auerfarm has engaged the public with a video-series supporting the importance of understanding how soil and regenerative agriculture can make a major difference to our generation and generations to come. Check out ‘Auer Soil Mate’ video series for further education on how soil can help save the earth. View on our YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2bubBzfCQjL4I56oIEDULg/featured and our Facebook page (4-H Education Center at Auerfarm). Additionally, Auerfarm held a free screening of the acclaimed documentary, Kiss the Ground. The documentary supports soil education and advocacy efforts because scientists believe we could have as few as 60 harvests left before the soil is unusable for planting.
Auerfarm is grateful for our event sponsors: Silver Sponsors Duncaster and Downes Construction, and Sponsors: Gillette Wine & Spirits, Hartford Distributors as well as auction donations from Bloomfield Village Pizza, Carbone’s Kitchen, and Milano Salon & Day Spa.
Join us as we heal our planet, learn how healthy soil combats climate change, while supporting Auerfarm’s environmental programming. You can make a difference. For more information, or to purchase your Party in Plaid tickets, please visit https://auerfarm.salsalabs.org/2022Partyinplaid or www.auerfarm.org or call 860.242.7144. Additionally, there are separate corporate sponsorship opportunities available for local businesses to partner with Auerfarm with Party in Plaid or all events.
Auerfarm’s mission is to inspire children and adults to engage in, learn about, and enjoy agriculture, science and the natural environment.