Auer Farm
158 Auer Farm Rd.
Bloomfield, CT 06002.
Open seven days a week from 7 AM to 7 PM
Myself, Cheryl and Molly took a ride out to the Auer Farm to see if we could get a decent picture of the barn as well as a little frolic time for Molloy to investigate the goats and donkeys etc. When we arrived there was a large birthday party for “Jacob” that saw guests pretty much occupying what was once the farms cow barn. As a result we never went inside. Cheryl and Molly walked about the grounds looking for interaction with Molloy, (our Golden Doodle puppy), and seemed to be having a grand old time while I photographed the old barn and silos from behind as a light rain was falling. The way the building was laid out in relationship to surrounding buildings that was the only available shot. The two story brick barn, best I could determine, is now a 4-H Agricultural Center. What it was used for back in the day is beyond me because I believe this is the only all brick barn I’ve ever photographed.
History of the Auer Farm
Auer Farm in Bloomfield, Connecticut, has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. Originally founded as a model farm, it gained recognition in 1950 for its innovative agricultural practices. The farm was owned and managed by Beatrice Fox Auerbach, a trailblazing businesswoman who became the first female president of G. Fox & Co. in the 1930s. After her husband’s passing in 1927, she took charge of the farm, despite having no prior farming experience, and successfully ran a 230-acre operation with dairy cows, poultry, and apple orchards.
Auer Farm was known for its cutting-edge agricultural techniques, including advanced dairy and poultry production methods. Milk, eggs, and other farm products were even sold at the G. Fox Department Store. Over the years, the farm hosted dignitaries such as Eleanor Roosevelt and welcomed farmers from around the world who came to learn modern farming practices.
In 1976, the Koopman and Schiro families gifted the farm to the Connecticut 4-H Development Fund, ensuring its preservation as a community resource for agricultural education. Today, Auer Farm operates as a 120-acre non-profit educational farm, offering hands-on learning experiences for children and adults. It features walking trails, gardens, and a variety of farm animals, including chickens, alpacas, cows, sheep, and ducks. The farm continues to serve as a hub for environmental education, sustainable farming, and community engagement. (1)
Who is Beatrice Fox Auerbach?
Beatrice Fox Auerbach was a pioneering businesswoman, philanthropist, and labor reform advocate. Born on July 17, 1887, in Hartford, Connecticut, she was the granddaughter of Gerson Fox, founder of the G. Fox & Co. department store. She married George Auerbach in 1911 and moved to Salt Lake City, where his family owned a department store. However, after a fire destroyed G. Fox & Co. in 1917, the couple returned to Hartford to help rebuild the business. Following her husband’s passing in 1927 and her father’s death in 1938, Beatrice took over G. Fox & Co., transforming it into New England’s largest department store. She was known for her progressive labor policies, including implementing a 40-hour workweek, retirement benefits, and advancement opportunities for African Americans—a rarity in the retail industry at the time. She also introduced personal shoppers, free home delivery, and toll-free telephone ordering, long before these services became standard.
Beyond business, Auerbach was deeply committed to women’s education and empowerment. She established the Service Bureau for Women’s Organizations, helping women develop leadership skills and lobbying strategies. She also partnered with Connecticut College for Women to create a retail training program. In 1965, after nearly three decades at the helm, she sold G. Fox & Co. to the May Department Stores Company, ensuring that the store’s legacy continued. She passed away on November 29, 1968, leaving behind a lasting impact on business, labor rights, and philanthropy. (2)
(1), (2) Reprinted verbatim from Microsoft Copilot search
Photographed with a Sony A7RV, 61mp mirrorless camera and a Sony 24-70 F2.8 GMII lens @ 24mm
1/500th, f8, ISO 400, Aperture Priority
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