Springtime at Hilltop Farm

Hilltop Farm

Managed by The Friends of

the Farm at Hilltop, Inc.

Become A Volunteer

Spring Events at Hilltop Farm ....and Around the Area

Tinkergarten is now the

Dandelion Exploring Club!

Sasha Zatyrka is an educator who has led Tinkergarten classes at Hilltop Farm since 2018. Now she is offering the same Tinkergarten curriculum through her own educational program, Dandelion Exploring Club. FOFAH is delighted to continue these experiences for children.

The classes are designed for children ages 18 months to 8 years old with their caregivers. The weekly classes take place on Mondays or Thursdays from 10-11am. The program is play-based learning and follows the child's lead in the context of mixed age learning. The heart of the program is really back to the basics of childhood: helping kids and caregivers connect with nature and enjoy open-ended play outside which helps develop so many key skills.

There is such beauty in slowing down and allowing kids to notice and engage with the natural world. Registration for spring classes will open soon. You can email sashaz.dandelion@gmail.com for more information and fees.

Now Opened!!!!

The Hilltop Farm Store & Creamery is now open for business Tuesday thru Sunday from 12:30 to 7:30. Come and Enjoy!

Monster Tag Sale & Flea Market

Make plans now to join The Friends of the Farm at Hilltop for the annual community tag sale in front of Suffield’s “Monster” barn. Sign up and bring your stuff. Crafters are welcome, too!

Hilltop Farm is a GREAT place for a tag sale! Located on Route 159 in Suffield, just south of the MA border, with easy access from Agawam, Windsor Locks and Enfield.

The historic farmstead has room for dozens of tents and tables, plus plenty of free parking. There will be refreshments for available, and kids can play in the big sand pile while your customers are shopping.

Go to the website to sign up now for a 12’ x 12’ space for $30. The price goes up to $35 on April 25th.

Please Help Us Paint the Barn

The Fundraising Continues...

FOFAH continues its effort to raise $200,000+ to paint the Barn. The estimates are in the area of $250,000. FOFAH has applied for several grants but still needs your help.

You can make a donation by mailing a check, through the website with the "Donate Today" button or on GoFundMe.

Painting is expected take the entire summer and we’ve already begun replacing damaged clapboard. Every $20 you contribute will cover the cost of preparing and painting 2 square feet of the roughly 20,000 square feet of clapboard. So please donate generously and help us get this job finished! We appreciate your support.

April 22- Straw Bale Gardening

FOFAH will host a Bale Gardening Workshop that is co-sponsored by the Suffield Garden Club and FOFAH. The workshop is scheduled for April 22 at Hilltop.

Mark Creighton of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station will present the workshop on Planting a Garden in a Straw Bale. Straw Bale Gardening is one of the thriftiest, most versatile ways to grow vegetables and herbs. Learn to garden without tilling the soil or weeding, that places little strain on your back and knees.

There are 2 parts to this workshop- Register for one or both parts.

PART 1 is at 11:00AM the program is the lecture- in the Barn Workroom. Attendees will sign up through the website. Registration is required.

PART 2 is at 1:00PM, in the Barnyard. This is a hands-on program in the Exhibition Shed in the Barnyard. Leave with a straw bale. Materials fee is $20/ per family. Separate registration is required.

See www.HilltopFarmSuffield.org/events .

Outdoor Yoga at Hilltop Farm Sundays

Again this year, yoga classes will be offered by our longtime instructor, Allison Zaczynski. Yoga classes are held each Sunday at 9:00 a.m in the barnyard starting May 14 until October 29. There will be no classes offered on June 25 and July 2. Weather cancellation notices will be posted at http://www.facebook.com/fitblisswithallison. Classes are $12 each or $100 for a 10-class punch card. Cash or Venmo @Allisonzzz accepted. Yoga mats, blocks, and straps will be used. You should bring your own or you can use the ones provided.

Chair Yoga at Hilltop Farm - Once a Month

Chair Yoga classes will be held at 10:30 a.m. and cost $12 on May 21, June 11, July 16, August 13, September 10 and October 8. Please email at fit.blisswithallison@gmail.com.

Inclement weather will cancel classes.

Suffield Celebrates Arbor Day!!

Join the "Trees for Suffield Initiative" for an Arbor Day event on Saturday, April 29 at 10am on Main Street near the Kent Memorial Library. New trees will be planted because you, our neighbors, who responded to our long range tree plan.

The celebration will include a hands on demonstration on the correct way to plant a tree. You will also have a chance to use that information when planting your own sapling tree (available while they last). Make a donation and take home a tree.

Learn how you can help by volunteering to water the new trees. The Trees for Suffield Initiative continues to need your support and we will be there to answer all your questions.

Partner Farmer/ Orchardist Wanted

FOFAH is looking for a Partner-Farmer to administer the maintenance and production of a small organic orchard at Hilltop Farm.

The orchard currently consists of 35 apple trees, 30 blueberry bushes and 125 feet of raspberries with room for expansion of the orchard and the possibility of growing other crops. This position offers the possibility for flexible in-kind compensation and growth potential for the right match.

Please submit a letter of interest, an outline of your interest and experience in agriculture/ orchard management to FOFAH, POBox 372, Suffield, CT 06078 or email at info@HilltopFarmSuffield.org.

The Friends of the Farm at Hilltop, Inc.

PO Box 372 1616 Mapleton Ave

Suffield, CT 06078-0372

860-758-0668

www.HilltopFarmSuffield.org