The Community Farm of Simsbury Is Just That

Chances are you’ve probably driven by, or maybe heard something about it. But what exactly is the Community Farm of Simsbury?

The simple answer — a farm. But a farm with a unique history and an ever-expanding present.

According to an article written by Joan Allen, who is a member of the farm’s board of directors, the Wolcott Road property was originally donated to the town by Amos Eno in 1883, “to be used for the occupation and maintenance of the town poor.” 

The town has met that requirement over the years, continuing with the Community Farm of Simsbury, Inc.

"The community farm honors that purpose," said First Selectman Mary Glassman.

In cooperation with other nonprofit organizations and the town, the farm continues to establish programs in education, community service, historic preservation, and agricultural conservation and land management.

The farm works with local food distribution agencies to provide fresh organic fruits and vegetables to families in need throughout Simsbury, the Farmington Valley, and the Hartford region. In 2010 the farm donated more than 4,400 pounds of produce to families in need. Groups such as Simsbury Social Services, Gifts of Love, and Billings Forge Community Works are recipients.

“We’re expanding our donation gardens by about an acre this year,” said executive director Tim Goodwin.

A summer farm stand is open from June to September for selling produce grown on the farm.

Some of the farmland, which straddles the 73 Wolcott Road address, is designated for incubator farmers. This program allows people who want to become organic farmers the use of inexpensive farmland, from an eighth of an acre up to 1 acre, to learn the ropes before going out on their own. This year there are three farmers in the program.

The farm also offers myriad children’s programs throughout the year. And that’s where some of the fun of the farm is — as in the goats named Oreo and Cinnamon that greet you when you visit. Or Oliver the very large sheep that will say hello as well. Pearl, the silky rabbit, is a bit reserved. Visitors do not bother the chickens that strut the property, nor Big Red, the rooster that crows any old time of the day.

There are cats and dogs and, according to Goodwin, a calf is on the way.

Since arriving, Goodwin, who has been at the farm since July 2009, has been working on the programming and the facility. The former dairy farm now houses a renovated community room that will be used for classes and programs. It has a commercial kitchen and new restrooms.

“We’re really excited about this space,” said Goodwin, who grew up on a farm in Litchfield.

Goodwin has an interesting background that all comes together in his present position. He taught at the Master’s School in town and Weaver High School. He left Weaver to become executive director of the Hartford Youth Scholars Foundation , a non-profit organization dedicated to enabling Hartford area youth to access independent schools as a route to college, from 2005 to 2008.

He was poised to become vice president of the Hartford Young Men’s Leadership Academy when the economy crashed and the school never opened. After contacting colleagues about other opportunities, he was led to the position at the community farm.

It is here that he draws on all of his experiences in farming, teaching, and administration.

“It’s a perfect fit,” he said.

Goodwin lives on site. The town owns the farmhouse where he lives — and the other apartments on the property as well — and the farmland. The farm leases the 77 acres, 38 of which are tillable.

"Preserving farmland is an important part of out town heritage," Glassman said.

Originally, the farm was more than 100 acres and the farmhouse was home to poor residents of Simsbury who worked on the farm, wrote Allen. After World War II and through the 1950s, a dairy farm was run on the land. The last indigent resident moved out of the farmhouse in 1981 when the town decided to close the poor farm. At this time, town officials explored different options for the property that would fulfill the charitable intent of the deed.

Town Farm Dairy began in 1989. The farm was certified organic in 2004 and the Friends of Town Farm Dairy, a non-profit organization was formed in 2005. With the closing of the dairy in 2008, Allen wrote, the town of Simsbury, the Ethel Walker School and Hartford’s Billings Forge Community Works came together to create a unique and special collaboration in support of the mission. The group responsible for the management of the farm is the Community Farm of Simsbury.

There are ways to contribute to the farm — you can become a member, make a donation or volunteer. The nonprofit organization uses the funds to support its education programs and other farm initiatives.

Recently the Simsbury Bank donated of $5,000 to the farm to fund a garden education program in Simsbury Public Schools for spring 2011. The programs will reach more than 500 students in grades one through eight.

Upcoming programs adults can participate in include one on organic gardening, how to build a blue bird trail on your property, as well as salsa lessons and a family picnic. Registration is needed and there are fees associated with these programs.

For more information about the farm, memberships or programs, go to www.communityfarmofsimsbury.org.