Fort Hill Farm, Organic Certified CSA

Fort Hill Farm Organic CSA, the earliest and largest of New Milford’s CSA’s, is located at 18 Fort Hill Road, a stone’s throw above the junction of Route’s 7 and 202. The 20-acre farm operates on land leased from The Nature Conservancy/Sunny Valley Preserve, which is mandated to keep all of its arable land in cultivation.

Paul Bucciaglia and Rebecca Batchie operate Fort Hill Farm. The farm has been certified organic by Baystate Organic Certifiers since 2003.  It follows US Department of Agriculture rules for organic practices, as described in “Growing Practices” on the Fort Hill Farm website, www.forthillfarm.com. They use farming practices that promote healthy soils, reduce pests, and protect the environment. Paul and Rebecca produce and spread about 200 yards of compost per year, and work hard to integrate green manure crops into the crop rotation system.

our goals are to produce high quality, organically grown produce, offer as much choice to shareholders as possible, and keep the share price fair.”

The farm has a successful apprenticeship program, with many former apprentices now managing or owning organic farms, or involved in sustainable agriculture advocacy.

Fort Hill Farm has grown into one of the state’s larger CSAs, with more than 300 shareholders. The CSA adds new members from a wait list, which opens in January for just a few weeks. The type and variety of certified organic produce offered during the 21-week harvest season is varied and generous, according to New Milford residents who are members.  Along with over 35 kinds of vegetables, CSA crops also include special seasonal treats like herbs, strawberries, and flowers. “While all the offerings are wonderful, I especially love the unusual and unexpected produce and flowers I find at Fort Hill Farm”, says a long-time shareholder. “It’s where I first learned about the different varieties of kale, tasted my first yellow watermelon, strawberries I picked with my grand-daughter, pink-fleshed watermelon radishes, torpedo onions, edamame on the stalk and snap peas I picked myself.”

Adds another shareholder:  “Paul and his partner, Rebecca Batchie, and their seasonal apprentices have created a real sense of community at Fort Hill Farm. At the end of the season, there is a wonderful potluck family get-together with great live music and great food—and not surprisingly, organic Fort Hill Farm produce starring in most of the dishes!” Paul and Rebecca aim to keep shareholders happy, saying “our goals are to produce high quality, organically grown produce, offer as much choice to shareholders as possible, and keep the share price fair.”

Fort Hill Farm distributes most of its produce through the CSA, with shares available for pick up at the farm. The farm also attends the New Milford Farmers Market, and The Westport Summer and Winter Farmer’s Markets. Frequent wholesale customers include New Morning Natural and Organic in Woodbury, The Green Granary in New Milford, New Milford Hospital Dining Services, Pizza To the People wood fired pizza in Roxbury, Hidden Valley Eatery and GW Tavern in Washington Depot, Redding Roadhouse in Redding, Tarry Lodge and The Whelk in Westport, and Truck in Bedford, NY.

In addition to 16 acres under cultivation, the farm also has multiple greenhouses and a large high tunnel for in-soil tomato production. Fort Hill Farm also produces Certified Organic garden plants including heirloom tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, lettuce, cucumbers, squash, melons and herbs, which are sold every spring at Scott’s Nursery in New Milford and at New Morning Store in Woodbury.