TANGO Member Showcase - June 2022
4-H Education Center at Auerfarm (also known as Auerfarm)
Auerfarm’s existence stems from its founder, Beatrice Fox Auerbach, respectfully known as a farm agriculture hobbyist and the first female president of Hartford’s G. Fox & Co. Mrs. Auerbach was an advocate for advancing the women’s suffrage and civil rights movements. In 1976, the Auerbach grandchildren donated the 120-acre historical land with the purpose to continue to provide access to all learners of all ages for agriculture, science, and environmental education.
Auerfarm is located in the northwest section of Bloomfield, Connecticut and was deeded to the non-profit 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm Inc., (Auerfarm).
Services We Provide
Community Programs we provide for Schools & Districts Educational partners include Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School, Laurel Elementary School, Carmen Arace Middle School, Annie Fisher Montesorri, Farmington Valley Transition Academy, West Hartford Transition Program and Options Employment & Educational Services. All Auerfarm education programs (School Field Trips (including virtual field trips), Farm to School, Farm Explorers, 4-H Clubs, Growing Opportunities (high school students with special needs), Auer Camp (summer day camp) and seasonal after-school Enrichment Camp, Family Fun.
Auerfarm programs and events are linked to the Connecticut Early Learning Development Standards (CT ELDS) and the Next Generation Service Standards (NGSS), thus ensuring their applicability across a range of academic standards. Auerfarm educators include certified teachers, curriculum specialists, and farmers with experience in social and emotional learning, agriscience and nature.
Community Programs we provide for Students & Families
Family Programs bring adults and children together to investigate what is happening in Auerfarm’s gardens and greenhouses, barns, forests, wetlands and fields. They learn experientially through stories, songs, science, art, cooking, gardening and animal care. Auerfarm educational student programs include: School field trips (including virtual field trips), Farm to School, Farm Explorers, 4-H Clubs, Growing Opportunities (high school students with special needs), Auer Camp (summer day camp) and seasonal after-school and morning Enrichment Camp, Family Fun events. Annual family and community events include: Fall Festival, Blueberry Jam, Party in Plaid, Santa on the Farm and Pancake Breakfast.
Community Programs we provide for Adult Learners
The farm is committed to engaging diverse learners of all ages in learning about agriculture, science, and the environment. Our programs make full use of Auerfarm’s resources – animals, community gardens, trails, streams, and innovative classroom spaces – to provide hands-on learning experiences that we believe communicate knowledge more effectively than traditional instructional models.
Accomplishments in the Nonprofit Community:
During 2020, 40% of environmental educational organizations permanently closed their doors. The Associated Press in March 2021, reported that 1:3 nonprofits were in financial jeopardy.
One of the biggest accomplishments during the past two years, is Auerfarm weathering the pandemic storm and remaining open as a viable nonprofit.
Auerfarm committed to remain open to the public. Because the farm produces food and has livestock, the farm was considered an essential business. However, all of the scheduled educational programs, field trips, vacation camps, rentals, and farm visits were canceled due to COVID-19. Our revenue stream was decimated; a loss of upwards to 33%.
For almost five decades, seven days a week, community members (children, families, students, teachers, artists, special needs people, marginalized communities, businesses, and school systems) find access to farm-based hands-on STEAM educational programs and respite for their mind, body, and spirit.
Auerfarm is committed, honored, and proud to remain a viable education center for all to inspire children and adults to engage in, learn about, and enjoy agriculture, science and the natural environment for generations to come.
How has TANGO Impacted your Organization:
Throughout the years and during the pandemic, TANGO continued to advocate for nonprofits and promote the purposeful work we all do. The internal and external resources offered are insightful resources that help assist our small (but mighty) staff and connect us with strategic business vendors. These TANGO resources not only help to hone our professional development skills, but help us implement our strategic plan, all while adapting and growing in an ever-changing non-profit, education, and STEM world. Thank you, TANGO.
There are many opportunities to partner with Auerfarm. There are opportunities for you, your family, and your business. Auerfarm has openings to volunteer, education collaborations, corporate sponsor partnerships, etc. Please visit www.auerfarm.org for more information to partner with Auerfarm and/or reach out to Executive Director, Erica Fearn at .
Contact Us Today!
Auerfarm
158 Auer Farm Road
Bloomfield, CT 06002
www.auerfarm.org
860.242.7144