Angel Horses Inc.
12 Knollwood Lane
The mission of Angel Horses Inc. is to provide a permanent retirement sanctuary for horses that have been teachers and healers in the therapeutic world. These special horses receive nurturing, companionship and love for the rest of their days. In addition, this past year Angel Horses Inc. partnered with other rescues to save three horses from the slaughter pipeline and provide them a permanent and peaceful home. These efforts are made possible through volunteers and generous donations.
Angel Horses Inc. is also a place where humans can come to connect with such sensitive beings. On Open Farm Day, visitors can experience a farm tour and meet the horses, mini donkeys, goats and sheep that call the farm their home, plus experience the soothing effect live flute and harp music has on the animals and a fun demonstration with miniature horses. The Granby Horse Council will be on hand to talk about its activities, such as the parade team, trail rides and de-spooking sessions.
Blooms of Lost Acres (located at Lost Acres Vineyard)
80 Lost Acres Road, North Granby
Blooms of Lost Acres is a woman-owned micro flower farm located in North Granby. Founded by Gabby in 2020, Blooms partners with local businesses throughout the Hartford County region to spread happiness through beautiful flowers. Services include flower subscriptions, event decor, DIY buckets and pick-your-own experiences. Stop by its white barn on Granby Open Farm Day to grab some locally grown flowers at the bloom bar, pick-your-own dahlias, shop exclusive merchandise, learn more about the new farm and enjoy a kid-friendly activity!
Clark Farms at Bushy Hill Orchard
29 Bushy Hill Road
Clark Farm at Bushy Hill Orchard in Granby is one of three farms run by the Clark family. Bushy Hill is a 75-acre farm/orchard growing apples, blueberries, peaches, plums, pears, nectarines and vegetables. The farm is open seasonally, offering a farm-to-table café, the new Bushy Hill Cidery Pub, ice cream and a full bakery (including its famous apple cider donuts) plus pick your own apples and blueberries. The farm offers a great location for family outings and small events. There are many things to check out at the farm and farm store: sweet and hard apple cider pressed fresh from the farm, a variety of local products and flowers from their Clark Farms location in Suffield.
On Open Farm Day you will have the opportunity to pick-your-own apples from their 17 varieties, take a wagon ride and sample those famous homemade apple cider donuts!
Coward Farm
170 North Granby Road
Coward Farm is among Granby’s newer working farms. Located on the former Maplewood Farm land once owned by Dr. Forrest Davis and protected by a conservation easement, acquired with financial support from the Granby Land Trust, the Town of Granby and the State of Connecticut, John and Teresa Coward obtained the vacant dairy farm on North Granby Road and now grow tobacco and pumpkins. The tobacco grown at Coward Farm is sold to the US cigar manufacturer, General Cigar, that manufactures cigars around the world. The pumpkins are sold at the Southwick Coward Farm.
On Open Farm Day, folks will get a tour of the farm, learn how tobacco is grown and cut, how a curing shed works and how the tobacco is used for cigars.
Cossitt Creation Station at the Cossitt Library
388 North Granby Road
The F. H. Cossitt Library has served the community since opening in 1891. The branch maintains a full-service lending library, including a seasonal seed library in the upper level of the building and a maker space in the lower level. On Open Farm Day, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the library will offer drop-in activities for adults and youth ages 8 and older. Maker activities include assembling a 3D printed mini tractor model, creating dried flower and herb sachets, enjoying complimentary “seeds you can eat” and more.
Granby Grange
212 North Granby Road
Granby Grange #5 has been a big part of the Granby community for more than 100 years. Originally started by and for farmers, the grange has evolved into a community public-interest organization where people can come together to network, learn leadership skills and participate in activities.
This year the grange made its historic hall more accessible to everyone by adding a ramp and accessible bathroom on the main floor. It also held its second Rubber Duck Race and continued its garden, growing vegetables for the food shelf and fall festivities. The Granby Grange #5 offers workshops, concerts, and other fun and educational activities for members and the public.
At Open Farm Day, Granby Grange will host its annual Agricultural Fair. Open to all home producers, anyone can showcase homegrown and homemade items. Ribbons and cash premiums will be awarded to the outstanding item in each class. Visitors can tour the grange, participate in a teacup auction, a chili contest, a selfie scavenger hunt and a pudding pie eating contest for kids. There will also be an antique steam engine display. For $10, get a bowl of chili, cornbread and drink. More information on fair classes and chili contest available online.
Friends of Granby Wildflower Meadow
Stationed at Maple View Farm
The Friends of Granby Wildflower Meadow planted and is maintaining a native wildflower meadow. It is a welcoming habitat for birds, bees, butterflies, other pollinators and small animals that live in such meadows. The
meadow is along Salmon Brook Street (Rtes 10/202) across from Maple View Farm just south of the town center. On Open Farm Day, The Friends of Granby Wildflower Meadow will be stationed at Maple View Farm to offer resources, sell packets of native wildflower seeds and provide tours of the wildflower meadow.
Granby Horse Council
Stationed at Angel Horses Inc.
The mission of the Granby Horse Council is to promote the value of horses to individuals and the community. On Granby Open Farm Day, the Granby Horse Council will be stationed at Angel Horses Inc. with an exhibit providing examples of programs about equine care and disciplines. Members will also show how the club educates the public about safety and supports the community through scholarships and donations to local organizations. Visitors will also learn about the Horse Council’s activities such as the parade team, trail rides and de-spooking sessions.
Granby Land Trust
Stationed at Sweet Pea Cheese
The Granby Land Trust (GLT) works with local farmers to help them hold onto and permanently protect their farms. In some situations, the GLT will acquire agricultural parcels to prevent them from being developed, then lease the land to local farmers at no cost. Farmland is a finite and irreplaceable natural resource. Preserving it is crucial for ensuring a stable and reliable food supply. Preserving farmland also helps us control flooding, protect wetlands and watersheds, conserve biodiversity, improve air quality and mitigate climate change. Perhaps most importantly, it helps ensure that our children will have enough land on which to grow their food. To show your support for this work, become a member of the GLT. Visit us at Sweet Pea Cheese on Open Farm Day or visit the website to learn more!
Holcomb Farm CSA
111 Simsbury Road, West Granby
Holcomb Farm is a 312-acre historic working farm that is open to the public year-round. Farmed from the mid-1700s to the mid-1900s by the Holcomb Family, this “jewel of Granby” is now owned by the Town of Granby and managed by the nonprofit Friends of Holcomb Farm (FOHF) for the benefit of the Granby community and beyond. The property includes extensive fields of produce grown without chemicals, a Farm Store that stocks a range of products from a number of local farms, 10+ miles of maintained and marked trails and an educational arboretum (our “Tree Trail”). The farm offers both summer and winter CSA subscriptions, which are very popular. Visitors on Open Farm Day can tour the farm and learn about chemical free growing in the farm fields, watch a cooking demo from Metro Bis Chef Chris Prosperi and kids can learn about local wildlife from Connecticut DEEP.
Lost Acres Orchard
130 Lost Acres Road, North Granby
Lost Acres Orchard grows peaches and apples, along with sunflowers, raspberries, blueberries, and a variety of vegetables from the farm gardens as the seasons permit. In the late summer and fall you can buy peaches and apples by the box/bag. The orchard’s kitchen/bakery stays open year-round selling pies along with a variety of baked goods, dinner entrees, soups, quiches, jams and more. On Open Farm Day, enjoy complimentary wagon rides through the orchard 10 a.m.–3 p.m. The bakery will be open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. with pastries, pies, jams and more. Farmhouse (grab and go) lunches will be available 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Lost Acres Vineyard
80 Lost Acres Road, North Granby
A former apple orchard, Lost Acres Vineyard reclaimed this land, and it is now home to five acres of wine grapes. Established in 2008, Lost Acres Vineyard opened for its first wine tastings in 2011. Owners Kevin Riggott and Michelle Niedermeyer continue the Lost Acres Road long tradition of free-spirited, cider distilling farming with the production of grape wine.
On Open Farm Day, the vineyard will have free samples of its popular estate-grown Clemons Spring wine. Grape pressing demonstrations with an old-style wine press will yield grape juice for sampling. Visitors can take a winemaker’s tour of the cellar to learn about the winemaking process. A Nibbles n’ Noms food truck will be available 12–5 p.m. Tier 1 will also be at Lost Acres Vineyard with heavy equipment to see up close.
Lyric Hill Farm
134 Hungary Road
Lyric Hill is a small family farm dedicated to sustainable growing practices and educating the public. It uses fresh milk from a herd of Alpine dairy goats and a variety of herbs and wild harvested botanicals grown and collected on the farm, to make soaps and other eco-friendly, farm-based products. The farm store is open year-round. On Open Farm Day, Lyric Hill visitors can meet the goats, learn how to use and preserve fresh herbs and flowers, observe the soap making process and browse Lyric Hill’s handcrafted products for sale.
Maple View Farm
192 Salmon Brook Street
Maple View Farm is a fourth generation working farm on 50 acres in the center of Granby. The on-farm brewery offers beer brewed with local and farm-grown ingredients and its farm food service is sourced straight from pastures and gardens. Hike the farm fields loop trail or explore the Salmon Brook any time the brewery is open. On Open Farm Day, Maple View offers self-guided tours, pony rides 1–3 p.m., farm food including farm-raised sausages and pizza, live music, Ask the Farmer sessions, and a hay bale throwing contest with prizes for all ages.
O’Brien Nursery
40 Wells Road
O’Brien Nursery is known far and wide for its hosta offerings and has grown into a destination for unique shade perennials, in addition to a wide selection of conifers, special Japanese maples and numerous dwarf ginkgo selections. On Open Farm Day, Nurseryman John O’Brien invites the community to discover the pleasure of plants and explore an impressive six acres of display gardens. The nursery will also feature a hosta dividing demonstrations at 10:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.
Salmon Brook Historical Society’s
Colton-Hayes Tobacco Barn
208 Salmon Brook Street
salmonbrookhistoricalsociety.com
The Colton-Hayes Tobacco Barn was built in 1914 by Fred M. Colton and donated to the historical society by his daughters in 1976. The front part of the barn provides a view of village life in the late 1800s. It includes representations of an old meeting hall, post office, village store, dressmaker’s shop, and more. The back of the barn offers a look at Granby’s agricultural past with a sampling of farm tools and machinery, items used in cider mills, grist mills, blacksmithing, maple sugaring, hog slaughtering, bee keeping, harness making, ice cutting and a large tobacco section. On Open Farm Day, visitors can tour the barn including historic farm implements.
Salmon Brook Historical Society’s
Wilcox House and Barn
143 Simsbury Road
salmonbrookhistoricalsociety.com
The Captain Sadoce Wilcox House, built c.1800, and the Lyman Wilcox Barn, built c.1857, are part of the West Granby Historic District. Until 2019, when the property was purchased by the Granby Land Trust and the house and barn were given to the historical society, the property had been in the same family for six generations. For the last century, the family used the house as a summer residence, leaving much of the interior unaltered. The property provides visitors with a unique view of the life of 19th century farmers and artisans in Granby. A large four-post loom has been recently restored and a weaver will be demonstrating throughout the day. On Open Farm Day, visitors can tour the house and see the Wilcox family’s cloth production operation come alive. After many months of hard work, we are happy to open the second floor to tours. There will also be a teacup auction taking place.
Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital
Stationed at Angel Horses Inc on OFD
Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital has been caring for farm families and their animals for more than 60 years. Dr. Milkey started the practice in 1953 on his horse farm on Hungary Road. Since that time, the SBVH staff has forged long lasting client relationships based on progressive medicine and a fundamental concern for the well-being of all animals. Its fully equipped ambulatory trucks allow it to provide both medical and surgical care for animals on the farm. It offers digital x-ray, ultrasound and endoscopy services at the farm as well as in the hospital along with general medical and lameness examinations and a full array of laboratory analysis. The depth of expertise with an eight-doctor practice and compassionate staff allows SBVH to provide the best in veterinary medicine for both farm and companion animals. At Open Farm Day this year you can come by Angel Horses Inc to talk to the vets and see one of the ambulatory trucks and the equipment used to care for farm animals.
Sepe Farm
Stationed at Lost Acres Vineyard on OFD
A sheep shearing team—Peter and Carolyn Sepe, Erin Sepe Pirro, and Jonathan Pirro — will be at the Lost Acres Vineyard to demonstrate fall sheep shearing, wool spinning and a felting craft for kids. Knitting classes will take place at 10 a.m. and noon, with pre-registration required. Register at morehousefarm.com/granbyag
Sweet Pea Cheese
151 East Street
Sweet Pea Cheese is a seventh-generation dairy farm run by the Hayes family. In the last year we have started leasing the dairy cow side of the farm to the Woodger family from Granville, Mass. The Hayes family is still taking care of the goats and making all the yummy dairy products for the farm store. On Open Farm Day samples of some of the many flavors of chèvre (soft goat cheese) will be available. The farm store will be open too, so remember to bring your cooler!