Marie and Giff Broderick, Owners of Split Rock Farm in Washington, CT

When Giff and Marie set out to find land in the Litchfield Hills, they weren’t chasing a business plan—they were following a dream. Though they live full-time in Wilton, they’ve spent over a decade transforming 34 overgrown acres in Washington, Connecticut—protected under a conservation easement with Steep Rock Association—into a thriving, sustainably managed farm. There’s no home on the land, just fields, a barn, and an abiding respect for the soil. You won’t find a farmstand, but their produce appears on Ridgefield restaurant menus—and possibly soon in Washington. Here, they reflect on stewardship, community, and the quiet rewards of farming.

What motivated you to embark on this agricultural journey?
We both love the outdoors. Giff dreamed of driving a tractor in retirement, and I’ve always loved having my hands in the dirt. It felt natural to look for land. When we saw this property, overgrown and tangled with Russian olive trees and weeds, we explored it until we stumbled onto Split Rock, a massive, distinctive glacially deposited boulder. It was gorgeous—we knew instantly this was the place for us.

Had either of you farmed before?
Only briefly—Giff farmed one summer during college for his cousin. But that wasn’t really what motivated this project. Mostly, we wanted to be outdoors.

Why did you choose Washington, Connecticut, specifically?
We needed to move beyond Fairfield County to find something affordable with enough land for farming. At the time, Litchfield County offered beautiful land at reasonable prices. Initially, we thought we needed 50 acres but quickly realized that was way too big. Ultimately, 34 acres felt just right.

Can you describe the initial vision you had for your farm?
Initially, our vision was simple: Giff wanted land to clear and a tractor to drive. Once we cleared some flat land, we researched crops and decided hay seemed easiest—it’s grass, cut just a few times a year. I added vegetables because I love gardening. It evolved naturally from there.

How did the farm develop over the years?
We started with hay fields. There was no barn, so we had one custom-designed by American Country Barns in Bethlehem. Once the barn was up, we began clearing the land. Each year we expanded. Now we grow asparagus, blueberries, corn, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, apples, and potatoes—though we always say we won’t add more, somehow we do. Raspberries are our newest crop.

Why did you choose to farm sustainably?
After purchasing the property, I took a course on sustainable farming from Holistic Management International called Whole Farm Planning Program for Beginning Women Farmers. It was informative and empowering.  Understanding the soil and sustainable practices inspired us to farm organically, although we aren’t officially certified.

How did you establish your customer base for hay and produce?
Networking was crucial. Our first hay customer came through a jewelry store owner we knew. Later, we connected through billiards friends. Now, most customers find us through our website. For produce, I visited restaurants directly, especially ones we frequent in Ridgefield, building relationships by offering fresh, sustainably grown vegetables.

What impact has working the land had on you personally?
Physically, we’re tired at the end of each day, but healthier and happier. Working mostly separately, each in our own tasks, allows us to enjoy peaceful solitude in nature. It’s incredibly soothing to be surrounded by wildlife and nature’s rhythms.

Tell me about your conservation easement with Steep Rock—and what advice would you give others considering land conservation?
27 acres of our land are under a conservation easement with Steep Rock Association, which means we can farm or even build agricultural structures, but we can’t develop it otherwise. The remaining 5 acres are not conserved and give us the option to build a house someday if we choose.

Our experience has been entirely positive. Rory [Steep Rock’s Director of Conservation] has been instrumental in helping us navigate both the technical and relational aspects of conservation. Early on, he walked the entire property with us to help define the easement boundaries and clarify what was conserved. When a neighbor disputed a fence line, Rory returned with GPS tools and survey data to confirm our exact property lines, ultimately resolving a potentially stressful situation. He’s also offered guidance on invasive plant removal, including identifying native species worth preserving and explaining how to obtain a wetlands permit. He’s even taught us how to propagate native plants using cuttings. His support has gone far beyond compliance—he’s helped us become better stewards of our land.

Do you have plans for future projects?
Yes, we’re aiming to clear out invasive species near one of our hay fields, which should enhance the beauty and ecological health of our land significantly.