About Holcomb Farm

Aerial View of the Farm 2

Holcomb Farm

Holcomb Farm is a 312-acre historic working farm located in the heart of West Granby, Connecticut. It is comprised of:

  • A nonprofit, mixed-vegetable production farm that produces abundant, delicious produce without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. We grow on 26 acres of Town-owned property for a 450 member Summer CSA, 100 member Winter CSA, wholesale customers, our farm store, and our food donation program, calledΒ Fresh Access.Β  We use only chemical- and GMO-free methods and sign the Northeast Organic Farming Assocation of Connecticut’s Farmer’s Pledge.
  • 10+ miles of trails that are open to the public, from dawn to dusk. Our trails connect to McLean Game Refuge and Granby Land Trust trails, and wind their way through the beautiful, varied terrain of rural West Granby, in the foothills of the Berkshires. Learn more.
  • The Holcomb Tree Trail, where nearly 100 trees are labeled with their common and botanical names; and interpretive signs teach readers more about the trees and the landscape. Learn more.
  • A beautiful banquet facility for life's special events. All private bookings are handled through the Town of Granby's Parks and Recreation Department.
  • A community gathering place in a historic New England setting.
  • A nonprofit organization that does good work in Hartford County. Through Fresh Access, we donated more than 15 tons of fresh produce to people in need in 2022. In addition, through the Friends of Holcomb Farm and our CSA, we host periodic events that celebrate healthy living, almost always free-of-charge, and open to all.

The farm is operated collaboratively by the Town of Granby and a Board of Directors composed of local citizens.Β  277 acres of the farm are protected from development through a conservation restriction held by the Granby Land Trust.

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2 days ago

SOME GREAT HISTORY SHARED BY THE CT DEPT. OF AG.
Agricultural Pioneer's Legacy Intertwines Black History Month and CSA Programs

February is a time to honor Black History Month and celebrate National Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Month, two important causes that highlight community, sustainability, and empowerment. The legacy of Dr. Booker T. Whatley, an agricultural pioneer, is intertwined in these observances as he laid the foundation for the modern CSA program.

Dr. Whatley, an African American horticulturist and educator, introduced the concept of the CSA model in the 1960s. His idea was simple: help small farmers connect directly with their communities through subscription-based farming. People could buy β€œshares” of a farms seasonal produce, creating a steady income stream for farmers and providing consumers with fresh, local food.

Dr. Whatley’s vision – rooted in commitment to agricultural sustainability and social justice – has evolved into the CSA programs of today – spanning beyond in-season fruits and vegetables, to include cut flowers, meats, dairy, and shellfish. CSAs make fresh, local farm products available while building sustainable food systems, especially in underserved communities. Dr. Whatley’s contributions continue to inspire the CSA movement, which empowers farmers and consumers, encouraging healthier food choices and stronger community ties.

As we celebrate Black History Month and National CSA Month, it is important to recognize Dr. Booker T. Whatley’s role in shaping CSA programs, fostering a more sustainable and connected future for both agriculture and local communities.

For more information about the impact of Whatley’s work, visit www.smithsonianmag.com/.../you-can-thank-black.../.
... See MoreSee Less

SOME GREAT HISTORY SHARED BY THE CT DEPT. OF AG.
Agricultural Pioneers Legacy Intertwines Black History Month and CSA Programs
 
February is a time to honor Black History Month and celebrate National Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Month, two important causes that highlight community, sustainability, and empowerment. The legacy of Dr. Booker T. Whatley, an agricultural pioneer, is intertwined in these observances as he laid the foundation for the modern CSA program.

Dr. Whatley, an African American horticulturist and educator, introduced the concept of the CSA model in the 1960s. His idea was simple: help small farmers connect directly with their communities through subscription-based farming. People could buy β€œshares” of a farms seasonal produce, creating a steady income stream for farmers and providing consumers with fresh, local food.

Dr. Whatley’s vision – rooted in commitment to agricultural sustainability and social justice – has evolved into the CSA programs of today – spanning beyond in-season fruits and vegetables, to include cut flowers, meats, dairy, and shellfish. CSAs make fresh, local farm products available while building sustainable food systems, especially in underserved communities. Dr. Whatley’s contributions continue to inspire the CSA movement, which empowers farmers and consumers, encouraging healthier food choices and stronger community ties.

As we celebrate Black History Month and National CSA Month, it is important to recognize Dr. Booker T. Whatley’s role in shaping CSA programs, fostering a more sustainable and connected future for both agriculture and local communities.  

For more information about the impact of Whatley’s work, visit https://www.smithsonianmag.com/.../you-can-thank-black.../.
2 days ago

An ode to farmingThey ran to the groceries, they filled up their carts,
They emptied the Tops and Price Chopper and Walmart,
They panicked and fought and then panicked some more,
Then they rushed to their homes and they locked all the doors.
The food will be gone! The milk eggs and cheese!
The yogurt! The apples! The green beans and peas!
The stores have run out, now what will we do?
They’ll be starving and looting and nothing to do!
Then they paused, and they listened a moment or two.
And they did hear a sound, rising over the fear,
It started out far, then began to grow near.
But this sound wasn’t sad, nor was it new,
The farms were still doing what farms always do.
The food was still coming, though they’d emptied the shelves,
The farms kept it coming, though they struggled themselves,
Though the cities had forgotten from where their food came,
The farms made them food every day, just the same.
Through weather and critics and markets that fall,
The farms kept on farming in spite of it all.
They farmed without thank yous.
They farmed without praise.
They farmed on the hottest and coldest of days.
They’d bought all the food, yet the next day came more,
And the people thought of something they hadn’t before.
Maybe food, they thought, doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe farmers, perhaps, mean a little bit more. ❀️
✍️ Anna Richards
... See MoreSee Less

An ode to farming

2 CommentsComment on Facebook

Thank you for all you do πŸ‘©‍πŸŒΎπŸ…πŸ₯¦πŸ«‘πŸ₯’πŸ₯•πŸ«›

Nancy Smith

1 week ago

Great job on the Puzzle slam, Team(s) Holcomb farm! ... See MoreSee Less

Great job on the Puzzle slam, Team(s) Holcomb farm!Image attachmentImage attachment
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