On September 19 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. celebrate Connecticut's farming and conservation heritage and share in a wonderful sense of community at the 23rd annual Open Farm Day at The Nature Conservancy's Sunny Valley Preserve. Best of all admission is free.
Take a hay ride, pet farm animals, play a game and enjoy a selection of delectable goodies at Sunny Valley Preserve, located on 8 Sunny Valley Lane in New Milford. Sunny Valley encompasses more than 1,850-acres that straddles the Housatonic River in New Milford and Bridgewater.
Visitors can check out wool-spinning or maple-syrup making and dissect an owl pellet with "How Cool is That?!" Don't forget to stop by the petting zoo to meet some gentle farm animals; then plan to visit Bruno, an African Spur-Thighed Tortoise and his friends from The Pratt Nature Center. Make sure to stop by our farm stand, and purchase some fresh produce to take home.
In addition to demonstrations, fair goers are invited to wander through many informational displays, inspect the antique and new farm equipment, pet the animals, enjoy a tractor ride, and sample some of the delectable goodies, which in the past have included pumpkin soup, fresh veggie burritos, along with hot dogs and fresh baked cookies prepared and served by the New Milford Youth Agency.
Sunny Valley Preserve was founded in 1970, when George D. Pratt Jr. donated multiple parcels of agricultural and natural lands to The Nature Conservancy. One condition of Pratt's gift is that the farms be kept in agriculture as long as possible. Today, about 650 acres of the preserve are in active agriculture. The farms, leased by independent farmers, are privately-operated businesses. Farmers at the preserve grow diverse crops and sell most products locally, providing locally-grown food and enhancing the local economy. Open Farm Day is rain or shine. More information is available at www.nature.org/sunnyvalley or by calling the preserve at (860) 355-3716.
For more area event information www.litchfieldhills.com
