The 4-H Education Center at Auer Farm serves the needs of children with the assistance of . . .
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ABOUT AUER FARM |
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HISTORY OF AUER FARM
The farm, founded in the early years of the 20th century, was honored as a model farm in 1950 and was the site for the annual Connecticut Farm Conference in the late 1940s and 1950s. The driving force for the long-term success of the farm was Beatrice Fox Auerbach. When her husband died in 1927, two years after buying the farm, she took control despite no knowledge of farming. For 40 years she managed what became the 230-acre Auer Farm with three production divisions: a dairy with 60 purebred Guernsey cows, poultry with more than 20,000 chickens and apples on more than 300 trees. Both the dairy barns and  poultry houses used the latest technology. Milk was processed on the farm. Milk, eggs and other farm products were sold at the G. Fox Department Store. Nine homes on the property housed farm families and a dormitory housed seasonal employees.
Dignitaries from throughout the country, including Eleanor Roosevelt, visited the farm and were impressed by the quality of the crops and animal production. Farmers from abroad came to learn modern practices for use in their countries. Besides running the farm, Mrs. Auerbach achieved national prominence in the 1930s as the first female president of a leading department store, G. Fox & Co. Her good business sense, humanitarian work practices and philanthropic ventures left a legacy from which people benefit today. Mrs. Auerbach also supported 4-H by sponsoring the statewide 4-H dress revue held at the department store. |
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Building on the Auerbach LegacyThe Auerbach legacy is indeed compelling as history. It is equally compelling today as a unique guide for the expansion of what has been created over the past 30 years. By the beginning of the 1970s, the Auer Farm Guernsey herd was donated to the dairy program of the University of Connecticut. All of the chickens went to market.  The apple orchard was the only remaining operation. At this point, the 4-H clubs of Hartford County had more than 1000 members. Creatively, an orchard partnership was formed between the 4-H clubs and the Auerbach family. The 4-H clubs had full use of the orchard including the sales room as long as they maintained the orchard. Club members and their leaders worked throughout the year. They pruned, sprayed, mowed, harvested, graded and sold the apple crop.
The Auerbachs recognized the value of 4-H and the positive experience the farm provided to the children who were involved in the apple project. This led to their decision in 1976 to give the farm to 4-H with an agreement to maintain the property as open space and provide a community resource where children and families learned about and enjoyed the ambiance of the farm. Remaking Auer Farm in a New RolePeople throughout all levels of the extended community banded together to make things happen. 4-H leaders and members, Seabees, CETA employees, Eagle Scouts, small business men, UConn interns and high school students rolled up their sleeves to empty and clean buildings, remove invasive plants, raze buildings, repair the road and paint outside structures. A standing committee of the Connecticut 4-H Development Fund, Inc. was established to develop a strategic plan and make decisions for day-to-day operations. Farm animals were purchased and a demonstration barn area was converted from a portion of the dairy barn. Raspberries, cornfields, hayfields Christmas trees, and a dwarf orchard were planted and the acres of pasture were fenced for farm animals.  The Learning Center, the first classroom, was created from a renovation of the creamery and a small barn. It was dedicated on September 28, 1978 for the purpose of providing an agricultural- based education program for children. The 4-H Center also very actively invited the local community and general public to learn about farming and enjoy the farm. This enormous effort from 1976 through today has been remarkably successful in meeting its goals despite the ever-present problem of funding. The 4-H Center has used the rich 40-year legacy of Beatrice Auerbach to create both a successful education program and an important community outreach effort. Today, the challenge is to expand on this success. More can and should be done. |
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Expanding Community Outreach and make purchases in the Center's store. Generations of family members have come to celebrate birthdays and other family gatherings. There have even been weddings.
Each year, thousands of people are attracted to the Fall Festival, a free community event for individuals to experience a wonderful family day. There are hayrides, pony rides, barn visits, and lessons on making apple cider and ice cream, farm animal and gardening talks. There are displays by 4-Hers, children's games and an opportunity to walk the corn maze Other scheduled events through the year include Family Fun programs every Wednesday and Friday and seasonal farm demonstrations for "Saturdays on the Farm." Throughout the year programs are offered to schools classes, community groups and the public in the Center's animal barn, classrooms, gardens, farmland and orchards. The 4-H Center also has the only garden in Connecticut that grows food exclusively for FoodShare. Several tons of farm produce are harvested and brought to fresh food outlets. The Center provides coordination and technical assistance to grow crops for participants in the Immigrant Farmer Program. A series of Community Outreach programs and Master Gardener Trainings have been well received. The challenge in 2008 and beyond, given real and growing needs, is to do more. Making Science InterestingBy the mid 1990s, the program had significant momentum. In 2004, more than 17,000 students from the Greater Hartford area attended classes and workshops. Through many varied education programs, students learn that the farmer is a scientist and that agriculture science affects everyday life. Lessons in biology, biotechnology, horticulture and math address content standards and expected performances in science. The lessons follow the Connecticut Department of Education "core science curriculum framework" for students pre-K through high school. Programs based on the inquiry learning method, encourage critical thinking and curiosity, while providing concrete hands-on discovery experiences essential to motivate and inspire scientific literacy. The lessons also  can help prepare students for the Science Mastery Test which will be required for all 4th and 6th grade students in 2008.
What has been accomplished to date in building a science education program is very satisfying. However, the need to do more in 2008 and beyond is clear, as it is in the Education Center's broader community outreach programs. Results from 1976 to today in both areas certainly created a strong confidence in what the Center can do as it builds on what has been learned from past successes. |
2008 and BeyondWe are proud of our history and excited about our plans to reach more children and their families. We hope you will visit the farm and continue to support our efforts. Come visit the farm, meet the animals, walk or hike through the 120 acres, pick raspberries and blueberries in season, VOLUNTEER to help, and support our work. to receive our calendar of events at 4hcenter@comcast.net and other notices or simply click on CALENDAR at the upper left corner of the screen. 
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