Managed by the Friends of
the Farm at Hilltop
Greetings! 
It might be cold and quiet at Hilltop right now, but FOFAH volunteers are busy. FOFAH will celebrate its 20th Anniversary this year, with events to share with the community.
2022- FOFAH's 20th Anniversary Year

This year FOFAH will achieve its dream - to open the Big White Barn to the public. Renovations will have been completed, inspected, and approved by town agencies. Then the barn will be able to be opened for events and programs. The Farm Store and Creamery will be open for gelato, ice cream snacks and local agricultural products this summer and the Suffield community will finally be able to fully experience the beauty of the barn which has been called “Connecticut’s Agricultural Cathedral”.

It was 2002 when FOFAH began its mission of transforming an empty, overgrown farm into a vibrant regional learning center for nature and agriculture. This happened with the support of many people, countless hours of work by dedicated volunteers, and the cooperation of local businesses along with the State and Town governments. FOFAH entered into a lease with the Town of Suffield to manage the Hilltop East open space and in 2013 FOFAH was able to purchase the 7.9-acre farmstead. Since that time the restoration of the barn, three houses, garage and chicken coop have been ongoing.

The open space property has been enhanced for public use by clearing and maintaining the trails, installing observation binoculars with Zak Grant monies for wildlife and river viewing and creating Community Gardens. Hay and tobacco are farmed, and FOFAH continues to work with the State to protect the bald eagles and other nesting birds. 

Help FOFAH celebrate its milestone year. Be part of Hilltop Farm! Join FOFAH and become a volunteer. FOFAH is looking forward to creating new dreams with you for the next 20 years.
February is for Birding at Hilltop ... and Your Own Backyard
Next Week!

Birding has become a popular out of doors activity but is also collaborative. On Saturday, Feb 5th, at noon, Joan Heffernan, FOFAH volunteer is conducting a “ Very Basic Birdwatching Workshop” at Hilltop Farm. Joan will cover issues of use of binoculars, identifying, recording, and very basic topics that will get us all started in birdwatching. Participants are asked to register at www.HilltopFarmSuffield.org/events and to dress for the out of doors.

This workshop can be preparation for a fun family oriented annual event. Join in with your neighbors in the Great Backyard Bird Count during February 18-22. This is the 25 year of this event and it encourages us all to learn more about birds, birding and be a citizen scientist. See www.birdcount.org for additional information about this event.
Paint the Big White Barn at Hilltop

For the last 19 years visitors to Hilltop Farm have been telling us that we need to paint the big white barn! Now, for our 20th anniversary, FOFAH is finally going to be able to do it!
 
The process of repairing or replacing damaged siding is already underway. Then any chipped paint needs to be sanded off before the barn can be primed and painted. The project will take all summer, and the cost is estimated to be $200,000. Photo by Don Rawling
 
FOFAH may be able to qualify for a grant to cover half the cost of painting the barn, but we will be expected to raise the other half. Please pitch in to help us raise the $100,000 needed to match this very generous grant! Your $20 contribution will cover the cost of preparing and painting 2 square feet of the almost 20,000 square feet of barn siding.

Please visit www.hilltopfarmsuffield.org/donate to contribute to our online GoFundMe fundraiser or for information on other contribution options.

Upcoming Events- Mark Your Calendars

Maple on Mapleton - Sunday, March 6 from 11-2- in the Barnyard
A Maple Syrup making demonstration
Come witness the process of making of Maple Syrup, often called a maple boil. The process starts with sap from the sugar maple trees and boiling the moisture off in a large pan over a fire. The result is pure maple sugar!

Earth Day - April 21- Suffield High School Sustainability Council

The event will feature a Sustainable Suffield on the Green Event with sustainability related activities, demonstrations, help with environmental science career planning, a lot of fun and ample learning opportunities via presentations from local and national non-profits. All are welcome to attend. The goal is to educate the town about the importance of protecting our planet and unite the community over a common goal of protecting it.
Monster Tag Sale- May 21

Make plans now to join FOFAH for a community tag sale in front of Suffield’s “Monster” barn. Crafters are also welcome! Sign up now for a 12’ x 12’ space for $30. Details and application for vendors can be found at https://www.hilltopfarmsuffield.org/events.
** Rain date Sunday, May 22th **
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Final Words
While shopping, please consider that you can shop on Amazon Smile, and designate FOFAH as the recipient of additional donations at no cost to you. Thank You.
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For those of you who donated to FOFAH during the Annual Appeal. Thank YOU!
So many of you have been so generous over the years with your donations, and volunteer hours.Thank You! We Appreciate Your Support
PO Box 372
Suffield, CT 06078-0372
860-758-0668