Philips Farm, New Hartford

The Phillips family had long dreamed of preserving its New Hartford, Connecticut farm for future generations to enjoy. Once a dairy farm, the land today is used for hay production and contributes significantly to the community’s farming character.

Working with the town and the Phillips family, The Trust for Public Land helped permanently protect the land in early 2009 by securing a conservation easement on the 59-acre property. The easement will prevent development on the land, even if sold, and allow the family to continue farming the property as they have done for generations. 

The land connects to a 300-acre greenway stretching from the Goula Open Space Area to Antolini School, protecting important natural resources and wildlife habitat.  It also supports a large, pristine wetlands that was partially protected when New Hartford purchased Goula Farm a few years before. The streams on Phillips Farm drain into tributaries that feed the Nepaug Reservoir, the drinking water supply of the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC).