Potluck and Tour at Community Farm of Simsbury: A Gallery

A group of up and coming farmers, friends and supporters of local agriculture gathered at Community Farm of Simsbury Monday night for an end of season Farm Tour and Social. 

It was a last in a series of tours throughout the state by the New Connecticut Farmer Alliance. 

Participants toured the farm, learned a little about the six incubator farm operations at the site and shared food, much of it made from in-season produce. 

At the beginning of the evening, participants also learned a little about the farm's history, its present programs and planned merger with Avon-based Gifts of Love. 

Mark Nolan, interim executive director of the farm, said a new umbrella organization will be known as "Farm to Family" but that the educational, food for the needy and incubator farm programs will continue. 

"The community farm will continue to exist exactly as you see it," Nolan said. 

This season, six incubator farm programs operated on approximately seven tilled acres at the farm. The land exists across the street from the main farm building over about 10 acres protected with a deer fence. 

Incubator farmers generally rent up to an acre of land, take advantage of shared resources such as equipment and an irrigation system and learn from other farmers. 

Garden Manager Maggie Saska said there is currently one spot available for next year. Details are still being worked out but anyone interested can call the farm at (860)217-0453.

The incubator farm program was recently featured in the Hartford Courant. See that feature here.  

Additionally this recent WPNR discussion on farming and Community Supported Agriculture included Rodger Phillips of Farmington, who for several years has been an incubator farmer at the farm with the Grow Hartford CSA. Phillips and his wife Isabelle are now launching Sub Edge Farm at the Fisher Farm property on the Farmington/Avon line. 

Learn more about Community Farm of Simsbury at its web site, on facebook or via twitter.