4-H Education Center at Auerfarm

Auerfarm Invites Community to 9th Annual Party in Plaid Fundraiser “Party in Plaid is a time when we celebrate the good that Auerfarm does for our community. As we enjoy a true farm-to-table meal we have the opportunity to reflect on all that we have accomplished and support the future of Auerfarm,” said Executive Director Erica Fearn. Read more about Auerfarm's 9th Annual Party In Plaid below!

Auerfarm was delighted and honored to be invited to as a workforce summer resource at the Intensive Education Academy's (IEA), 'What's Next' - It's Never Too Early To Plan For Your Child's Transition Years: A Parent Informational Evening event.  IEA and Auerfarm have been education partners for many years; thank you, IEA for including us! Owen McMahon and Auguste LaFreniere, Job Coaches for Auerfarm's Growing Opportunities (GO) Summer Program, represented the GO program. Auerfarm was among some of CT's finest resources and speakers;  Department of Developmental Services, Department of Social Services,  Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri Law Firm, Level Up Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, State Education Resource Center, Wheeler/Connecticut Clearinghouse, Easterseals, Planet Fitness, HighHopes, CT Family Services Network, and Guided by Goats. For more information about Auerfarm's Growing Opportunities program: https://lnkd.in/ecqEJ2wk

We at Auerfarm are overwhelmed with gratitude to the incredible team of corporate volunteers from IIDA New England, MetLife, Milliman, The Walker Group, Wood Group Pratt & Whitney Industrial Turbine Services, LLC, and Wright-Pierce who dedicated their day to giving back at Auerfarm for Earth Day! Their hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication made a huge difference. They helped with the beautification of many of the gardens on the property, they helped mulch and fertilize our blueberry patch, and they helped put up a wall among many, many, many other projects. Their efforts will have a lasting impact not only on the farm but on the environment as well. We couldn't have done it without their support. Thank you to all our volunteers for making a difference for Earth Day!

Auerfarm is honored to be a recipient of the 2024 Community Impact Grant! We are proud to be part of the Campbell's family and connect communities to farms and food!

Bob's Discount Furniture and 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm To Unveil Newly Furnished Farmstay During Farm’s Annual Maple Sugaring and Pancake Breakfast Event. Auerfarm is proud to announce the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening of Crispin Cottage on March 16, 2024, at 10:30 AM! This was made possible by the $10,000 furniture donation by Bob's Discount Furniture, and the meticulous planning and interior decorating of Lori Baritone and her students from Options Employment and Educational Services / CARE of Ct / The Center for Advocacy Research and Educ. We would also like to thank the Koopman sisters and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving that made the farmstay venture possible in the first place. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on March 16th, 2024 at 10:30 AM and will be attended by Senator Derek Slapp, Mayor Danielle Wong, and Councilman Kenneth McClary, with remarks from Erica Fearn, Executive Director at Auerfarm, as well as, Nicole Ball, PR and Community Outreach Manager at Bob’s Discount Furniture, and Scott Wells & Lori Bartone of Options Employment and Education Services. Read more about the partnership and the ribbon-cutting ceremony here. https://lnkd.in/eMcSikZg

NEW CLIENT ANNOUNCEMENT! 🗣 We are thrilled to welcome 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm to the Onyx Elite consulting family! Located in Bloomfield, the 120-acre farm hosts the 4-H Education Center nonprofit, which offers hands-on learning experiences for students in the community. Education and community engagement have been at the center of Auerfarm's mission for decades. We have much more to share - stay tuned!

The 4-H Education at Auerfarm strives to inspire children and adults to engage in, learn about, and enjoy agriculture, science, and the natural environment. Our new Adult Education Series aims to do just that by integrating nature, agriculture, arts, and education into a series of workshops, lectures, and classes for adults in the Greater Hartford community. During the month of March, Auerfarm will be hosting numerous guest speakers to conduct workshops on topics rooted in gardening, farming, and regenerative practices. These classes will be of interest to seasoned and beginning farmers and gardeners, environmental enthusiasts, and those curious about the wonders of agricultural science. The Simplicity of Soil by Zachary Duda March 7, 2024, 6:30 PM Explore the fundamentals of soil science and sustainable agriculture. Gain insights into sustainable soil management practices like regenerative agriculture and composting. Register Here: https://lnkd.in/ehva9TG8 Start Your Gardens Crash Course by Samad Gardens Initiative (Sarah Rose Kareem) March 9, 2024, 2:00 PM Your one-stop shop for learning all the basic foundations needed to start growing your own food. Topics covered include soil basics & plant needs, seasonal growing & seed starting, transplanting, DIY plant amendments, pest & disease management, and more. Register Here: https://lnkd.in/e39kAyDq? The Invasive Jumping Worm by Dr. Gale E. Ridge from The Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station March 18, 2024, 4:00 PM We're thrilled to welcome Dr. Gale Ridge from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. She'll be shedding light on the invasive jumping worm phenomenon and its impact on our gardens, landscapes, and forests. Gain valuable insights during this one-hour session as Dr. Ridge delves into the implications of jumping worms and how we can tackle this challenge together. Register Here: https://lnkd.in/e2ADvAwz Join us in March for any one of these informative workshops! #regenerativeagriculture #regenerativefarming #agriculture #sustainability #gardening #farming #caes #uconn

Auerfarm's Director of Education, Jonni Marshall, and our wonderful volunteer Kevin Krebsbach, spoke to Lorin Richardson of WFSB TV - Channel 3 Eyewitness News about our maple sugaring programs and annual pancake breakfast! It went live at 4:30 and 5:30 last night but you can catch the segment here! https://lnkd.in/dTtWqGM4 Get a front-row seat to the maple sugaring process on March 16th when you join us at one of three seatings for our annual pancake breakfast! Get tickets on Eventbrite! https://lnkd.in/ddHGg654

Yesterday Auerfarm attended the University of Saint Joseph's Education Career Fair in the Crystal Room of Mercy Hall. Director of Education Jonni Marshall and Marketing, Communications, and PR Specialist Cristina Santillan had a great time talking to education students about the benefits of farm-based education when starting your career. Look out University of Hartford students! We'll see you on March 5th! As an undergraduate education student, it can be difficult to gain classroom experience while working towards your degree. Auerfarm offers you the opportunity to work directly with elementary-aged children in an experiential classroom setting! Auerfarm is currently hiring part-time farm educators and summer staff to work our summer programs! Contact jmarshall@auerfarm.org or csantillan@auerfarm.org for more information! To learn more about Auerfarm visit www.auerfarm.org

Maple season is in full swing and Auerfarm is thrilled to invite you to join in the sweet celebration during CT Maple Weekend! Mark your calendars for March 16, 2024, and gather your loved ones for an unforgettable morning at Auerfarm's annual Pancake Breakfast and Maple Sugaring Demonstration. This year, due to public interest, Auerfarm is pleased to offer three seating times at 8:30 AM, 10 AM, and 11:30 AM to accommodate your schedule. Following breakfast, you and your loved ones will immerse yourself in the magical tradition of New England maple sugaring. Wander through the maple trees to witness firsthand the tapping process, then venture to our 'Sugar Shack' to observe the mesmerizing boiling process that transforms sap into sweet liquid gold. Wait, the educational and fulfilling fun doesn't end there! We welcome you to explore the rest of our 120-acre farm and participate in our Farmstay Open House & Ribbon Cutting! Then, take a stroll through our picturesque grounds, meet our friendly animals, and engage in our kids' arts and crafts activities. Don't forget to grab a cone of animal feed for an extra special experience! This event offers a unique opportunity to create lasting memories with your family and friends while embracing the cherished traditions of New England maple syrup production. Auerfarm is proud to be a member of the Maple Syrup Producers Association of Connecticut, ensuring that our syrup meets the highest standards of quality and authenticity. Tickets are selling fast, so reserve your spot today! For more information and to purchase tickets, visit our Eventbrite page: (https://lnkd.in/gTvpgxZq...). Join us at Auerfarm on March 16th for a morning filled with sweetness, laughter, and community spirit. We can't wait to share this special day with you! Auerfarm was founded in the early 20th century and 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 ‘Auerfarm’, the farm’s mission is to inspire children and adults to engage in, learn about, and enjoy agriculture, science, and the natural environment.  Visit and explore us here: www.auerfarm.org, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube too. #maple #community #openhouse #breakfastclub #family #allAges