When it comes to the growth and evolution of rural towns, one sentiment is heard time and time again: “less development, more land, more farms.” It’s natural for people to harken back to a day when agriculture and livestock fields spanned the landscape before apartment complexes, modern neighborhoods or store-front plazas took over.
According to the USDA’s 2022 Census of Agriculture, the number of farms in Connecticut declined by 463 between 2017 and 2022—the second highest loss in New England. There are many reasons for this decline, but it is abundantly clear—farming is chock full of challenges. However, the community can help farmers and retain farmland by ensuring those farms are successful.
Granby Open Farm Day is the ideal opportunity to learn about the town’s agricultural community, history, what each farm has to offer and to show appreciation to farmers for all they produce and represent to the community.
Granby Open Farm Day 2024 will take place on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s a free, fun, family-friendly interactive experience for residents and surrounding communities. The Granby Agricultural Commission has hosted the event since 2012 to help strengthen the community’s connection to its agricultural roots and to ensure its farms remain a central core identity to the town.
Each participating farm will offer special demonstrations and activities for all ages throughout the day. New this year will be the Cossitt Creation Station at the Cossitt Library. Visitors to the historic building can visit the seed library and participate in drop-in maker-space activities for adults and youth ages 8 and up. The Salmon Brook Historical Society will offer tours of the Colton-Hayes Tobacco Barn on Salmon Brook Street, as well as tours of the Wilcox House and Barn on Simsbury Road. Both locations provide a unique view of 19th century farmers and artisans in Granby.
The Granby Land Trust is a key sponsor of Open Farm Day and integral to Granby agriculture through its commitment to acquiring and preserving prime agricultural land for use by some of our town’s most treasured farms. Farm visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about GLT during Open Farm Day by visiting its booth at Sweet Pea Cheese at the House of Hayes or by browsing its website: GranbyLandTrust.org
The Granby Drummer and Farm Credit East are also key sponsors of Granby Open Farm Day. Contributing sponsors and friends of Granby’s farms are Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital and Horses & Hounds.
On Sept. 14, grab your Open Farm Day map and schedule of events inserted in this edition of the Drummer, go farm-hopping, and thank your farmers by supporting local farms. For more updates on Granby’s agricultural community, follow GranbyAg on Facebook and Instagram.