FARM HISTORY
The farm, founded in the early years of the 20th century, was honored as a model farm in 1950.
Today’s 120-acre 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm, located in the southwest section of Bloomfield, Connecticut was deeded to the non-profit Connecticut 4-H Development Fund, Inc. in 1976. Known as the 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm, the farm is committed to engaging all ages in learning about farming, science, and the environment.
The driving force for the long-term success of the farm was Beatrice Fox Auerbach. Mrs. Auerbach achieved national prominence in the 1930’s as the first female president of a leading department store, G. Fox & Co. Her good business sense, humanitarian work practices and philanthropic ventures left a legacy from which people benefit today. She came to run the farm when her husband died in 1927, two years after buying the farm, she took leadership despite no knowledge of farming.
For 40 years she managed the 230-acre Auerfarm with three production divisions: a dairy with 60 purebred Guernsey cows, poultry with more than 20,000 chickens and apples on more than 300 trees. Both the dairy barns and poultry houses were known for testing the latest technology. Milk was processed on the farm. Milk, eggs and other farm products were sold at the G. Fox Department Store. Nine homes on the property housed farm families and a dormitory housed seasonal employees.
Dignitaries from throughout the country, including Eleanor Roosevelt, visited the farm and were impressed by the quality of crops and animal production. Farmers from abroad came to learn modern practices for use in their countries. Mrs. Auerbach also supported 4-H by sponsoring the statewide 4-H dress revue held at the department store.
The Auerbach heirs recognized the value of 4-H and the positive experience the farm provided to the children who were involved in the apple project. This led to their decision in 1976 by the Schiro and Koopman families to give the farm to 4-H with an agreement to maintain the property as open space and provide a community resource where children and families learned about and enjoyed the ambiance of the farm.
The immediate challenge in 1976, for a new non profit, was to renovate and preserve deteriorating structures while creating a plan to achieve the mission given them for the long term.
People throughout all levels of the extended community banded together to make things happen. 4-H leaders and members, Seabees, CETA employees, Eagle Scouts, small businessmen, UConn interns and high school students rolled up their sleeves to empty and clean buildings, remove invasive plants, raze buildings, repair the road and paint outside structures. This legacy of community care for the farm continue as many organizations and businesses still donate hours to keep up the grounds.
A standing committee of the Connecticut 4-H Development Fund, Inc. was established to develop a strategic plan and make decisions for day-to-day operations. Farm animals were purchased and a demonstration barn area was built. Raspberries, cornfields, hayfields Christmas trees, and a dwarf orchard were planted and the acres of pasture were fenced for farm animals.
The Learning Center, the first classroom, was created from a renovation of the creamery and a small barn. It was dedicated on September 28, 1978 for the purpose of providing an agricultural- based education program for children. The 4-H Center also actively invited the local community and general public to learn about farming and to enjoy the farm.
The 4-H Center has used the rich 40-year legacy of Beatrice Auerbach to create both a successful education program and an important community outreach effort. Today, the challenge is to expand on this success.
Since 1976, hundreds of thousands of young people and family members have enjoyed informal visits to the Center for “pick your own crops,” walked the farm roads, met the farm animals, observed wildlife, painted and photographed the wondrous sites. Generations of family members have come to celebrate birthdays and other family gatherings.
Each year, thousands of people are attracted to the Fall Festival, a community event for individuals to experience a wonderful family day. There are hayrides, barn visits, touch a tractor, and lessons on making apple cider and ice cream. There are displays by 4-Hers, children’s games and pumpkin painting, along with food and live music!
Throughout the year programs are offered to schools classes, community groups and the public in the Center’s animal barn, classrooms, gardens, farmland and orchards. The 4-H Center also has the only garden in Connecticut that grows food exclusively for FoodShare. Several tons of farm produce are harvested and brought to fresh food outlets. The Center provides coordination and technical assistance to grow crops for participants in the Immigrant Farmer Program.
A series of Community Outreach programs and Master Gardener Trainings have been well received.
The central mission set down by the Auerbach family in 1976, was to create a real hands-on farm learning experience for students.
By the mid 1990s, the program had significant momentum. In 2004, there were more than 17,000 student and adult visits for classes and workshops. Students learn that the farmer is a scientist and that agriculture science affects everyday life. Lessons in biology, biotechnology, horticulture and math address content standards and expected performances in science. The lessons follow the Connecticut Department of Education “core science curriculum framework” for students pre-K through high school.
Programs are all based on the inquiry learning method, encourage critical thinking and curiosity, while providing concrete hands-on discovery experiences essential to motivate and inspire scientific literacy.
Auerfarm and The Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School partnered together in 2010 to bring the children to Auerfarm for over 100 visits per year. The partnership has grown and continues to flourish. Auerfarm has for over a decade hosted an Interdistrict program, where schools from Hartford or Bloomfield partner with schools from Simsbury or Granby to learn about science and each other. They come to the farm many times throughout the year and form communities here.
A large grant from the state in 2014 allowed us to transform the old animal barn into 2 large classrooms, administrative space, bathrooms and a warming kitchen. The building opened in the fall of 2015 and has been a huge hit with the children and teachers alike. This new space can hold 75 children at a time and is a great space for meetings, events and celebrations. The Learning Center underwent significant renovations to meet the needs of today’s learners in 2016. In 2020, furniture and technology improvements prepared a classroom and commercial style kitchen that houses students from Annie Fisher Magnet Middle School 97 days per year.
Annie Fisher, Wintonbury and the Interdistrict program also all include a family component where programs invite families to the farm several times a year.