It’s a summer day in the Connecticut River Valley. As you drive down Route 185, the winding road carries you over Talcott Mountain into Bloomfield. A sign catches your eye: “Auerfarm: Learn. Explore. Connect.” Just below reads, “Open Daily – Public Welcome.” Curiosity takes hold, and you turn onto the road, eager for the promised adventure.
The dirt path forces a slow journey and a calm mind. To your left an orchard boasts its fruit as hay dances in the field to the left. Green banners flutter overhead, reminding you of Auerfarm’s core values; community & connection, outdoor recreation, lifelong learning. As you approach, you see a massive willow tree shading a stream and goats running through a nearby pasture.
You arrive at the welcome center, a red structure with open bays, where photos line the walls showcasing farm life. A kiosk displays a map outlining various ways to learn, explore, and connect at Auerfarm. Seven color-coded trails invite exploration, including the green Learn. Explore. Connect. Tour for an immersive educational experience.
As you begin your journey, you enter the main lobby, transformed into a mini-museum dedicated to the farm’s history. You learn about Beatrice Fox Auerbach, the vast farm she operated, and her close friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt. Maple, honey, and eggs are available for purchase.
Following the Learn, Explore, Connect Tour, you stroll up to the gardens. On your way, you pass a school group learning about ice cream making under a maple tree. “Welcome to the Nourishing Garden.” The wooden sign marks your arrival. Vibrant beds overflow with vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Benches invite you to sit, stay, and be still.
Next, you visit the Barnyard. Goats, sheep, horses, and a friendly pig play together. You learn about the importance and role of each animal on the farm.
You make your way down to the pavilion where families are enjoying picnic lunches. Through the main archway, you make your way past the blueberry patch, making a mental note to come back and pick your own, past the sounds of children playing in the Play Forest, and up to the apiary. The sound of bees at work drones behind you. The view of the farm from the top of the apiary takes your breath away. A green canvas brushed by flowers, animals, and people.
You make your way back down and notice signs identifying native plants, birds, and wildlife along the way. As you stroll down towards the stream, summer camp groups compete in fort-building competitions by the edge of the woods.
The stream feels cold beneath your feet but the movement of water over your skin soothes you. Tadpoles scurry around you, frogs hop on the banks, and birds fly overhead.
You dry off on the bench under the tree, touched by the leaves as they sway in the wind. The sign next to you talks about the life cycle of frogs and the stream’s ecosystem.
Finally, you reach the apple orchard, where rows of dwarf trees laden with fruit stretch as far as the eye can see.
As you stand in the orchard, surrounded by the fruits of nature’s labor, you feel your heart beat in your chest. You feel the air flow through your lungs as the wind blows through the leaves. You realize that Auerfarm’s Learn. Explore. Connect. initiative is more than just a tour—it’s a journey of transformation, both for the land and its visitors.
The orchard provides a perfect ending to your exploration, showcasing the farm’s bountiful harvest and the cycle of seasons. Throughout your journey, hand-carved signs, informational kiosks, and signs for reflection invite you to learn, explore, and connect with nature and yourself.
This transformation extends beyond the physical landscape. As you’ve walked the color-coded trails, you’ve noticed how the farm has been designed to be accessible to people of all abilities. Wide, smooth paths accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, while tactile exhibits and audio descriptions ensure everyone can engage with Auerfarm.
As you prepare to leave, you realize that you’re taking more than just memories with you. You’re leaving with a deeper understanding of agriculture, a renewed appreciation for the natural world, and a sense of connection to something greater than yourself.
A smile grows across your face as you leave the farm behind, excited for your next visit.
The Learn. Explore. Connect. initiative at Auerfarm is not just about preserving a piece of Connecticut’s agricultural heritage—it’s about cultivating a sustainable future. By transforming the landscape and providing immersive experiences for visitors of all abilities, Auerfarm is sowing seeds of community connection that will bear fruit for generations to come. Be a part of this change by donating today.
