This Saturday evening, Nov. 7, the Friends of Ambler Farm celebrates its 10 year anniversary as the steward of Ambler Farm. The evening will be a celebration of what Ambler Farm has come to represent to the community, as a sort of gateway between the past and present, a place where people can celebrate where Wilton came from and reflect on the special bonds of community that Wilton residents have always had and continue to maintain.

In the spirit of that, Saturday’s gala celebration is being called, “Once Upon a Farm.” The title is apt, as there’s something almost mythical or fantastical about Ambler Farm and the way it has been both preserved as well as nurtured to grow simultaneously. It stands as an allegory of the potential to respect and reflect the history of Wilton, while also drawing in people from near and far with innovative programs to strengthen and enlighten the quality of our human relationships.

Just think about programs like the Ambler Farm Apprentices, Ambler Farm Day, the Trebuchet Pumpkin Chucking Team, the Farm to Kitchen program, and the way the current farmland is used to produce an unbelievably rich bounty of food for profit as well as donation. And the list goes on…

Tomorrow GOOD Morning Wilton will take a look back at the history of the farm, today we’ll give a glimpse at some of the amazing facts that make Ambler Farm such a unique place.

Did You Know that…

  • The Summer Education Program attracts more than 800 campers from Wilton and surrounding towns. Kids have a unique opportunity to experience farm life, to learn about plants in Ambler’s educational gardens and to spend time with the growing number of animals.
  • Ambler Farm’s organic production gardens produce more than thirty vegetable varieties that are sold at the farm’s seasonal farmstead and at Wilton’s weekly Farmer’s Market. Some produce is also sold to local restaurants and Ambler Farm also provides vouchers for clients of Wilton Social Services.
  • There are more than 130 middle- and high school-aged children who take part in Ambler Farm’s Apprentice Program.  They have the opportunity to learn hands-on farm practices, to connect with their peers, and to serve the community through productive volunteer hours.
  • Ambler Farm has beefed up its farm-to-kitchen programs for children and adults, who have an opportunity to harvest food from the farm and participate in delicious culinary classes and tastings featuring local chefs.
  • In 2008, its first year of tapping trees for maple syrup, Ambler Farm produced 162 bottles. The farm now produces as many as 1,530 bottles annually that are sold at the Farmstead, the Farmer’s Market and the Village Market.
  • This year, Daisy, the farm’s Flemish giant rabbit, gave birth to a litter of seven bunnies who all still live at Ambler Farm.
  • Approximately 15,000 visitors come to Ambler Farm each year. Whether its to walk their dogs, enjoy a picnic, use the farm as a backdrop for a photography session or to take part in the varied array of programs, people are finding something amazing at the farm.