Food is central to every community. It nourishes our families, connects us as neighbors, and brings meaning and tradition into our daily lives. Here in Washington, Connecticut, farms represent even more: they keep our air and water clean, provide vital habitat for wildlife, and preserve the rural charm and character that defines our community.
Yet across Connecticut, this vital resource is disappearing before our eyes.
According to American Farmland Trust’s “Farms Under Threat: The State of the States” report, Connecticut lost 23,000 acres of farmland to development between 2001 and 2016, placing it among the top three states nationwide for farmland loss. Between 2017-2022, Connecticut saw a decrease of more than 460 farms, and Litchfield County alone experienced a 10.5% loss in cropland. At the same time, farmland prices have surged, reaching an average of $13,900 per acre—the third highest in the country. This rapid increase makes it increasingly difficult for farmers to acquire, preserve, or even keep agricultural land.
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At Steep Rock Association (SRA), we are committed to reversing this troubling trend. We proudly protect 2,376 acres of farmland soils, including 1,111 acres on our own preserves. Of these, 138 acres are leased to trusted local farm families at no cost–among them Logue Farms Inc., Hannan Holstein Farms, Ox Hollow Farm, and Spring Hill Farm, who manage hayfields, cornfields, and pastureland. In addition, we support agricultural practice on many privately-owned properties where a conservation agreement is in place. Partners like Helmstead Farm, Waldingfield Farm, Foxhole Farm, and Split Rock Farm stand as exceptional examples of sustainable farming of the eased lands.
This page highlights our agricultural partners, our commitment to preserving Washington’s rural heritage, and resources for how you can protect your land.
Partner Farms
Waldingfield Farm
Contact: Patrick Horan
24 East St, Washington, CT 06793
Phone: (860) 868-7270
Waldingfield Farm is an organic vegetable farm. A diversified CSA and market farm, Waldingfield has been producing organic and sustainable produce for over twenty years.
To help local farmers adapt to a changing climate, SRA partnered with Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy to secure a $50,000 climate smart agricultural grant. This funding allowed Waldingfield Farm to install high tunnel hoop houses, protecting crops from extreme weather and extending the growing season. Check out the video to hear Patrick explain how this helps their farm.
Helmstead Farm
153 Lower Church Hill Rd
Washington Depot, CT 06794
Helmstead Farm produces certified organic veggies, flowers, and mushrooms on 85 acres abutting the Steep Rock Preserve in Washington, CT. Founded in the fall of 2020, Helmstead Farm’s practices are rooted in regenerative agriculture and their priority is to build a healthy ecosystem for crops to flourish. Products are available at Northwest Connecticut Food Hub, New Morning Market, and Phinneys in Newtown.
Foxhole Farm
Contact: Ashleigh Fernandez
129 Sabbaday Lane
Washington, CT 06794
Foxhole Farm is a small family farm located in Washington, CT which produces pasture-raised chicken and duck eggs, local honey, and weekly baked farmhouse breads. The farm is also home to a herd of Nigerian dwarf goats and Kunekune pigs, who pasture on acreage that is under conservation easement with Steep Rock Association, and which abuts Hidden Valley Preserve. Both the goats and the pigs are avowed enemies of bittersweet and multiflora rose and have been slowly ridding the farm of invasives. Foxhole Farm’s products are available at the farmstand by the barn.
Split Rock Farm
Contact: Marie Broderick, Farm Manager
219 Church Hill Rd. (Rte. 109) Washington Depot, CT 06794
Phone: (203) 733-8586
Split Rock Farm was established in 2013 and sits on 34 acres in Southern Litchfield County. It was originally pastureland and had not been farmed for many years prior to Marie and Giff Broderick purchasing the property as a retirement project. Marie wanted her hands in the soil and Giff wanted to drive a tractor. The property was overgrown with scrubs. They cleared the land, built a barn, and started planting hay. Today, approximately 10 acres are in production. Two streams run through the property, one of which has a very large split rock sitting in it, hence the name of the farm.
The farm continues to evolve and currently grows produce including asparagus, blueberries, tomatoes, raspberries, flowers, strawberries, corn and apples. The farm is not organic certified, but we grow to organic standards. Most of the produce is sold to local restaurants, with the remainder sold to friends and neighbors. The farm’s main crop is timothy hay which is grown in 3 separate fields. The hay is sold to horse rescue organizations, local horse farms and a small amount to pumpkin patches for Halloween decorations. We give a 10% discount on hay to 501c organizations. We enjoy visitors so come and stop by.
Ox Hollow Farm
Contact: Mark and Stephanie Maynard
Ox Hollow Farm
478 Good Hill Road
Woodbury, CT 06798
Mailing address: PO Box 102
Roxbury, CT 06783
Nestled at the gateway to Litchfield County, Ox Hollow Farm is a family-operated, diversified farm committed to providing hormone- and antibiotic-free products. Established in 1997 by Mark Maynard, the farm was founded with a mission to offer high-quality, sustainably raised protein and produce.
Today, Mark and Stephanie continue that legacy, bringing fresh, healthy food directly from the farm to farmers’ markets in Connecticut and New York City. With a focus on quality and integrity, Ox Hollow Farm strives to provide their customers with the best in local, responsibly raised products.
Hannan Holstein Farm at Johnson Farm
Phone: (203) 910-0346
Address: 597 Hulls Hill Rd. Southbury, CT 06488
One in ten Litchfield Hills residents—mostly older adults and kids—still can’t get the fresh, healthy vegetables they need.
Thanks to your generosity, SRA continues to invest in forward-thinking initiatives that strengthen our community—like Judea Garden, which has become a regional leader in addressing food insecurity issues in Connecticut.
Established in 2009, Judea Garden brings together volunteers, gardeners, and neighbors to grow and distribute fresh, healthy produce to those facing financial hardship. In recent years, Judea Garden has expanded in both production and distribution, now averaging nearly two tons of organically grown vegetables distributed per growing season.
Through partnerships with the New Milford Food Pantry and the Warren/Washington Food Pantry, Judea Garden provides a steady supply of fresh vegetables to those in need. Additionally, produce is available directly from the garden at the Isaac Camp House (124 Christian Street) every Monday from July 8 through October 15, from 12 PM to 5 PM.
