Deadline for Farm Viability Grant Extended

Due to the recent winter storm and extensive loss of power to communities throughout the state, the application deadline has been extended for Farm Transition Grant and Farm Viability Grant to Dec. 2, 2011.

All projects submitted for consideration must be postmarked by Dec. 2, 2011.

Bozrah Farmers Market - Bonfire, Pumpkins

Celebrate the last day of this year's market season on Friday, Oct. 23, 4 to 7 p.m. at Maples Farm in Bozrah.

Those who want to dress in a Halloween costume can join the fun and maybe win a prize - judging is at 6 p.m.

Enjoy the bonfire and check out the pumpkin contest - bring your own pumpkin and help line the stone walls around the farm with grinning (or other expressions) jack-o-lanterns.

For more information see www.bozrahfarmersmarket.webs.com

Creating Art, Inside The Golden Egg

The Golden Egg Studio is housed inside a light-filled space that is a former chicken coop, situated on 10 acres of the original farm.

Ray and Deb Pierce's talents intertwine and are reflected in their home in Amston, part of Hebron. The farmhouse is circa 1771, home to the Pierces since 1976.

"It might be older," said Deb Pierce, who runs the studio along with her daughter, Cait. "That's the date we found on a stone lintel."

"We've been sugaring about 1990," said Ray, who taps the sugar maples on the farm plus neighbors' trees. Ray owns Pierce's Carpentry & Remodeling, and his work restoring and rebuilding (plus his art created from found objects) can be seen throughout the farm.

At the recent Hebron Maple Festival, the front pasture was full of vehicles, visitors exploring the sugar-making, drawn to the sugarhouse with billowing plumes of steam pluming skyward. "Troy," the miniature horse cropped grass just greening up, and families delighted in the plump chickens they could hold (with care and gentleness).


The Pierces' farm is welcoming and delightful, including the quirky art - a row of windows march out from the studio, framing pasture views; a display of horseshoes artfully occupy a stone niche. The farm is only open during the annual maple festival. Take heart though, the studio is open Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. (or by appointment).

Offerings include Easter egg decorating (small classes, one for adults, another for children); and children's morning art classes in April and May. There's a Mother's Day gift workshop on May 2, and in April, a Fiber Arts Show and Tea (date to be announced). Space is limited (to keep classes small) and fees vary ($15 to $30 for workshops).

"The most important thing is that people are comfortable in a place," said Deb. "Then they can let their guard down to create."



Her partners in art are her daughter, Cait Pierce, and neighbor, Ellen Ludwig. Scout meetings and birthday parties can be scheduled. For more information call (860) 228-0273 or e-mail goldeneggstudio@gmail.com; located at 325 West Main St. (Route 66).

Farm Life Stewardship, Spin/Knit, More

Hilltop Hanover Farm is a 180-acre former dairy farm, purchased by Westchester County New York in 2003 for "agricultural preservation, drinking water protection and the promotion of environmental stewardship."

Anyone interested in farms, land stewardship, ideas and growing things may want to trek over for the weekend for a fieldtrip.

“American Farm” will be shown Friday, March 20 at 7 p.m. The film documents the struggles of the Ames family, dairy farmers in upstate New York who held on to their farm for generations. Now, none of the younger family members are willing to stay on the farm that has been the family’s livelihood for more than a century. Doors open at 6 p.m. for those who want to have a picnic dinner.

A spin/knit in is set for Saturday, March 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Old Farm House building. Join seasoned spinners and knitters in an informal atmosphere. The event is free; registration is required. Contact e-mail is Hayslope@optonline.net or Lucinda at jzygala@earthlink.net.

Bring along sturdy shoes or boots for a 3.5-mile spring equinox woodlands hike, Saturday, March 21, 2 to 4 p.m. Rain cancels, no reservations required. For more information call (914) 962-2368. Note: No dogs are allowed on the farm.

For directions to the farm see www.hilltophanoverfarm.org, or call (914) 962-2368. The farm is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday. Image, courtesy Hilltop Hanover Farm.