For Immediate Release

Auerfarm Announces 2025 Farm-to-Table Dinner Series: Eight Unforgettable Evenings Celebrating Local Flavors

BLOOMFIELD, Conn. (June 6, 2025) – Distinctive Ideas at Auerfarm is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated 2025 Farm-to-Table Dinner Series, a seasonal culinary celebration set amidst the picturesque fields of historic Auerfarm in Bloomfield. From July through October, guests are invited to experience eight unique, chef-guided dinners, each highlighting the freshest ingredients grown right on the farm.

The series kicks off on July 11 with a Classic Americana Dinner, followed by a Portuguese-inspired Clam Bake on July 26. Each event features a thoughtfully curated three-course menu, expertly crafted by Chef Kristiann and her team to showcase the bounty of Auerfarm’s fields and the vibrant flavors of each season.

2025 Farm-to-Table Dinner Series Schedule:

• July 11: Classic Americana Dinner
  
• July 26: Clam Bake Dinner
  
• August 8: All Things Veggie
  
• August 22: Mediterranean Dinner
  
• September 5: Tomato Fest
  
• September 19: Harvest Dinner
  
• October 10 & October 24: Día de los Muertos Dinners
  

All dinners begin at 6:00 PM and are priced at $95 per person. Proceeds from each dinner are given directly to Auerfarm to benefit the farmers who grow the produce. Each evening promises more than just a meal — it’s an immersive experience celebrating community, tradition, and the simple joys of sharing food at the source.

“We’re excited to welcome guests back to the farm for another season of unforgettable dinners,” said Chef Kristiann, Culinary Director of Distinctive Ideas. “Each menu is inspired by the season and the land, offering a true taste of Connecticut’s agricultural heritage.”

From the nostalgia of backyard Americana to the bold flavors of the Mediterranean and the vibrant spirit of Día de los Muertos, every dinner is designed to delight the senses and foster connection — with the land, the food, and each other.

Tickets are limited and expected to sell out quickly. For menus, details, and reservations, visit https://auerfarm.org/farm-to-table-dinners/ or call (860) 242-7144.

ABOUT AUERFARM:

Auerfarm inspires lifelong learning through hands-on, interactive, and innovative experiences that explore agriculture, science, and the environment. Students, families, and visitors gain scientific knowledge and a heightened appreciation for the world around us. 

Beatrice Fox Auerbach’s children generously donated the farm to 4-H with an agreement to maintain the property as an open space, providing a community resource where children and families can learn about and enjoy the ambiance of the farm. The 120-acre property in the northwest section of Bloomfield, Connecticut was deeded to the non-profit 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm Inc., (Auerfarm) in 1976. For more information visit Auerfarm, and follow Auerfarm on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

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Calendar Listing 

Auerfarm. [Friday, July 11 – October 24, 2025, 6:00 pm]. Distinctive Ideas at Auerfarm is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated 2025 Farm-to-Table Dinner Series, a seasonal culinary celebration set amidst the picturesque fields of historic Auerfarm in Bloomfield. From July through October, guests are invited to experience eight unique, chef-guided dinners, each highlighting the freshest ingredients grown right on the farm. 158 Auer Farm Rd, Bloomfield, CT 06002. For more information, call (860) 242 – 7144 or visit www.auerfarm.org 

The evening will feature a multi-course farm-to-table dinner prepared by resident Chef Kristiann and the team at Distinctive Ideas. Local beer and wine will be served alongside an Auerfarm signature cocktail. During the silent auction, accompanied by live music, guests can bid on exciting items and Auerfarm experiences.

Auerfarm relies on donations from visitors like you to keep our doors open to the public 7 days a week from 7 AM to 7 PM; to continue delivering agricultural education through field trips, enrichment programs, summer camp, and birthday parties; to provide community events and a safe space for all to learn, explore, and connect.

At Auerfarm, we believe in the transformative power of experiential learning. Through animal care, gardening, and sustainable farming, we instill values like responsibility, teamwork, and environmental stewardship in learners of all ages. Your support makes these life-changing programs possible.

Thank you for choosing to be a part of this wonderful event AND make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

The Art of Maple Sugaring

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Tapping the Trees

The journey from tree to table begins with tapping. Skilled workers carefully drill small holes into mature maple trees and insert spouts, also known as taps. These taps allow the sap to flow freely without harming the tree. At Auerfarm, visitors will have the opportunity to watch this process firsthand and even learn how to tap a tree themselves.

Collecting the Sap

Once tapped, the trees begin to release their precious sap. Traditionally, this sap was collected in buckets, but modern operations often use a network of plastic tubing. This system, which you’ll see in action at Auerfarm, efficiently transports the sap from multiple trees to a central collection point.

The Boiling Process

Here’s where the real transformation happens. The collected sap, which is about 98% water and only 2% sugar, must be boiled down to create syrup. This process takes place in a sugar shack, where large evaporator pans sit atop a wood-burning oven. As the water evaporates, the sap becomes more concentrated and eventually turns into the sweet, amber syrup we all love.

During your visit to Auerfarm, you’ll have the chance to step into the sugar shack and watch as the sap bubbles and steams its way to syrupy perfection. The air will be thick with the sweet aroma of maple, a scent that’s synonymous with the arrival of spring in New England.

What to Expect at Auerfarm’s Maple Weekend

A Farm-Fresh Breakfast

Your day at Auerfarm begins with a hearty, farm-style breakfast featuring stacks of fluffy pancakes topped with freshly made maple syrup. It’s the perfect fuel for the day’s activities and a delicious way to appreciate the fruits of the maple-making labor.

Hands-On Learning

After breakfast, it’s time to become a sugarmaker yourself. Farm educators will guide you through the entire process, from identifying maple trees to collecting sap6. You’ll learn about the history of maple syrup production and how modern techniques have evolved while still maintaining the essence of this time-honored tradition.

Meet the Farm Animals

While the sap boils, take some time to say hello to Auerfarm’s resident animals. This is a great opportunity for children (and adults!) to learn about farm life and the important role animals play in sustainable agriculture.

Explore the Grounds

Auerfarm boasts 120 acres of beautiful Connecticut countryside. After your maple adventure, you’re invited to stroll the trails, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy quality time with your family in nature.

Event Details

The Annual Pancake Breakfast and Maple Syrup Demonstration will be held on Saturday, March 15th, with seatings at 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:30 AM, and on Sunday, March 16th, with seatings at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children, with children under 3 admitted free.

Why Attend?

This event is more than just a breakfast or a demonstration; it’s a celebration of a sweet Connecticut tradition. As one of the top ten maple syrup-producing states in America, Connecticut takes pride in its maple heritage. By attending, you’re not only treating yourself to a unique and educational experience but also supporting local agriculture and Auerfarm’s mission to inspire children and adults to learn, explore, and connect at Auerfarm.

Moreover, this event offers a perfect opportunity for families to unplug, learn together, and create lasting memories. In our fast-paced world, there’s something truly special about slowing down to watch sap drip from a tree and transform into sweet syrup.

So gather your family, friends, and neighbors, and head to Auerfarm this weekend. Immerse yourself in the time-honored tradition of maple syrup making, savor the taste of fresh syrup on warm pancakes, and welcome the arrival of spring in true New England style. It’s an experience that’s sure to stick with you long after the last drop of syrup is gone.

Remember to book your tickets early, as space is limited for this popular event.

Visit www.auerfarm.org/events for more details. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a sweet Connecticut tradition!

Position: Marketing, Communications, PR
Email: csantillan@auerfarm.org
Phone: (860) 242 – 7144 

For Immediate Release

Discover Farm Life and Fun at Auerfarm’s Spring Vacation Camp

BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Jan. 16, 2025— The 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm will host a week-long day camp program for Connecticut youth aged 5-12 years old during Spring vacation. The camp will run from April 14, 2025 – April 18, 2025, on the 120-acre farm located at 158 Auer Farm Rd, Bloomfield, CT 06002. 

Counselors will lead campers through a day of outdoor recreational activities such as fort building, gardening, and exploring the stream as part of Auercamp’s mission, as well as, typical day camp activities such as arts & crafts, sports & games, and other special interest projects. 

The Spring vacation camp will operate rain or shine Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. The fee is $375 for the week of camp is due upon registration. 

Register online at https://auerfarm.salsalabs.org/AuerVacationCamps2425/index.html. Space is limited. For more information contact, Assistant Camp Director Cristina Santillan at csantillan@auerfarm.org 

ABOUT AUERFARM:

Auerfarm inspires lifelong learning through hands-on, interactive, and innovative experiences that explore agriculture, science, and the environment. Students, families, and visitors gain scientific knowledge and a heightened appreciation for the world around us. 

Beatrice Fox Auerbach’s children generously donated the farm to 4-H with an agreement to maintain the property as an open space, providing a community resource where children and families can learn about and enjoy the ambiance of the farm. The 120-acre property in the northwest section of Bloomfield, Connecticut was deeded to the non-profit 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm Inc., (Auerfarm) in 1976. For more information visit Auerfarm, and follow Auerfarm on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

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Calendar Listing 

Auerfarm. April 14 – 18, 2025 from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. The 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm will host a week-long day camp program for Connecticut youth aged 5-12 years old during Spring vacation. The camp will run from April 14, 2025 – April 18, 2025, on the 120-acre farm located at 158 Auer Farm Rd, Bloomfield, CT 06002. 158 Auer Farm Rd, Bloomfield, Ct 06002. For more information call (860) 242 – 7144 or visit www.auerfarm.org 

Position: Marketing, Communications, PR
Email: csantillan@auerfarm.org
Phone: (860) 242-7144 

For Immediate Release

A Sweet Connecticut Tradition: Auerfarm Welcomes Families for Maple Weekend

BLOOMFIELD, Conn., January 9, 2025— March is maple month and Auerfarm is thrilled to invite you to join in the sweet celebration during CT Maple Weekend! Mark your calendars for March 15th & 16th, 2025, and bring your family, friends, and neighbors for a fun morning at Auerfarm’s Annual Pancake Breakfast and Maple Sugaring Demonstration.

Become a sugarmaker and learn how to tap a maple tree to collect sap. Then, follow the steam to the sugar shack to boil it down into that sweet amber color we know as syrup! After a hard day’s work, enjoy a farm-style breakfast and taste the freshly made maple syrup over a stack of homemade pancakes. After breakfast take the family for a stroll to visit the animals and spend time together in nature. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in this classic New England tradition of producing maple syrup. This year, we are pleased to offer three seating times on Saturday at 8:30 AM, 10 AM, and 11:30 AM and two on Sunday at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM  to accommodate your family’s schedule. Visit www.auerfarm.org/events for more details and to get tickets. 

This annual event helps to further Auerfarm’s mission of inspiring children and adults, to engage in, learn about, and enjoy agriculture, science, and the natural environment. Auerarm invites you to learn about the maple sugaring process, explore the maple tree grove, and connect with yourself, your family, and nature at the Annual Pancake Breakfast and Maple Sugaring demonstration event. 

ABOUT AUERFARM:

Auerfarm inspires lifelong learning through hands-on, interactive, and innovative experiences that explore agriculture, science, and the environment. Students, families, and visitors gain scientific knowledge and a heightened appreciation for the world around us. 

Beatrice Fox Auerbach’s children generously donated the farm to 4-H with an agreement to maintain the property as an open space, providing a community resource where children and families can learn about and enjoy the ambiance of the farm. The 120-acre property in the northwest section of Bloomfield, Connecticut was deeded to the non-profit 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm Inc., (Auerfarm) in 1976. For more information visit Auerfarm, and follow Auerfarm on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

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Calendar Listing 

Auerfarm. March 15th & 16th, 2025. Join us at Auerfarm for a delightful morning of farm-to-table pancakes topped with our fresh maple syrup! Experience the magic of maple sugaring with live demonstrations, tours of our sugar shack, and more. 158 Auer Farm Rd. Bloomfield, CT. 06002 For more information call (860) 242-7144 or www.auerfarm.org.

Position: Marketing, Communications, PR
Email: csantillan@auerfarm.org
Phone: (860) 242 – 7144 ext. 4

For Immediate Release

Auerfarm Presents “For The Love”: A Valentine-Inspired Farm-to-Table Dinner Experience

BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Jan 14, 2025— Auerfarm invites the Greater Hartford community to indulge in a romantic culinary experience at the second farm-to-table dinner of the year themed, “For the Love,” on Friday, February 21, 2025, at 6:00 pm.

Chef Kristiann Vargas of Distinctive Ideas has crafted a delicious three-course Valentine-inspired menu, showcasing the farm’s seasonal ingredients. The For The Love dinner includes a burrata salad, a rose mafalda, and a raspberry & pomegranate tart, combining beautiful colors and presentation with delicious flavors for a truly tantalizing evening.     

At $85 per ticket, guests will enjoy:

• three carefully prepared courses,
• a romantic ambiance in Auerfarm’s historic setting,
• live music,
• and stimulating conversation with new friends at the dinner table.
  

Whether you are planning a unique date night or are looking to try something new, the For The Love dinner promises an unforgettable evening of farm-fresh flavors and culinary connections.

For The Love Menu

ABOUT AUERFARM:

Auerfarm inspires lifelong learning through hands-on, interactive, and innovative experiences that explore agriculture, science, and the environment. Students, families, and visitors gain scientific knowledge and a heightened appreciation for the world around us. 

Beatrice Fox Auerbach’s children generously donated the farm to 4-H with an agreement to maintain the property as an open space, providing a community resource where children and families can learn about and enjoy the ambiance of the farm. The 120-acre property in the northwest section of Bloomfield, Connecticut was deeded to the non-profit 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm Inc., (Auerfarm) in 1976. For more information visit Auerfarm, and follow Auerfarm on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

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Calendar Listing 

Auerfarm. February 21, 2025, 6 pm.  Auerfarm invites the Greater Hartford community to indulge in a romantic culinary experience at the second farm-to-table dinner of the year themed, “For the Love,” on Friday, February 21, 2025, at 6:00 pm. 158 Auer Farm Rd, Bloomfield, CT 06002. For more information (860) 242 – 7144 or www.auerfarm.org. 

The Auerfarm  S.T.E.M. Enrichment Club was designed upon the request of local parents seeking more social-emotional opportunities for their children during after-school hours. The  S.T.E.M. Enrichment Club will allow children to spend time on the farm expanding their knowledge and understanding of nature, science, agriculture, and the arts by doing STEAM-based, (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) hands-on activities with trained Auerfarm educators. Outdoor learning in a small group setting provides a safe and interactive way to engage learners with varied interests.

During the winter months, the enrichment students delve into the fascinating behaviors of animals and plants in the winter landscape, while also discovering how the farm prepares for spring. Join the Auerfarm S.T.E.M. Enrichment Club for an engaging learning experience that connects students to science, agriculture, and the natural environment.

The Winter session begins on Wednesday, January 9, 2025, and runs for six weeks. Interested families may still enroll after a session has begun at a prorated cost. Spring session begins February 26th. Visit www.auerfarm.org/enrichment-programs/ for more information. 

ABOUT AUERFARM:
Auerfarm inspires lifelong learning through hands-on, interactive, and innovative experiences that explore agriculture, science, and the environment. Students, families, and visitors gain scientific knowledge and a heightened appreciation for the world around us. 

Beatrice Fox Auerbach’s children generously donated the farm to 4-H with an agreement to maintain the property as an open space, providing a community resource where children and families can learn about and enjoy the ambiance of the farm. The 120-acre property in the northwest section of Bloomfield, Connecticut was deeded to the non-profit 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm Inc., (Auerfarm) in 1976. For more information visit Auerfarm, and follow Auerfarm on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

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Calendar Listing 

Auerfarm. Jan – May, 2025. Wednesdays at 3:30 pm. Join the Auerfarm S.T.E.M. Enrichment Club for an engaging learning experience that connects students to science, agriculture, and the natural environment. 158 Auer Farm Rd. Bloomfield, CT. 06002 For more information call (860) 242-7144 or www.auerfarm.org.

Chef Kristiann Vargas of Distinctive Ideas is thrilled to welcome the Greater Hartford Community back to Auerfarm for another year of connection through culinary experiences. This year-long series pairs seasonal flavors with festive themes to bring you a truly unique farm-to-table experience one Friday every month! At just 85$ per ticket, you will enjoy three exquisite courses, a relaxing ambiance, and stimulating conversation with new friends at the dinner table. This is the perfect event for a unique date night or if you’re looking to meet new people and try something new! 

After a successful first year at the farm, the Distinctive Ideas team is bringing you even more fresh flavors directly from Auerfarm farmers. These dinners aim to bring a bit of festive flair to Auerfarm while connecting people through fine, farm-to-table dining.

At “Breakfast with Santa,” attendees can savor a delicious farm-fresh pancake breakfast featuring fluffy pancakes served with sausage, bacon, maple syrup, and homemade honey butter. Guests can enjoy hot coffee, tea, or festive cocoa while gathering in a cozy holiday atmosphere. Tickets for Breakfast with Santa are available online at www.auerfarm.org/events.

Following breakfast, the holiday celebration continues with the “Santa on the Farm” event, open to the public and free of charge. Families can look forward to:

• A meet and greet with Santa Claus
• Complimentary hot cocoa
• Holiday-themed crafts for children
• Farm tours and animal visits
• Christmas tree sales

For more details visit www.auerfarm.org/santa-on-the-farm/

“We’re thrilled to offer this magical holiday experience,” said Jonni Marshall, Director of Education at Auerfarm. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together, enjoy our beautiful farm, and create lasting memories. Last year, we welcomed over 500 families, and we look forward to meeting new faces and welcoming returning visitors for another unforgettable day.”

Families are encouraged to bring cameras to capture special holiday moments with Santa, and those who purchase a Christmas tree can take home a little bit of the farm’s holiday spirit.