For the first time in over five decades, SM&NC has opened a brand new building – the Knobloch Family Farmhouse – with a prime focus on educational programming. The Knobloch Family Farmhouse is an immediate capacity-builder to develop a suite of new signature programs, with projected 58% growth in educational service in our first three years. The Farmhouse will be the first education building addition to the property in 50 years and will serve our highly successful SM&NC-Aligned-With-Our-Schools curriculum, family, camp, and adult enrichment programs at an iconic location overlooking the pastures of Heckscher Farm.

The Knobloch Family Farmhouse will be central hub and vital indoor gathering space to grow nature and agricultural experiential learning on-site in colder months. The Fedele Family Farmhouse Plaza creates a home base gathering space for the Explorers Full Day Camp to build upon 2nd-4th grade and a new 5th-7th grade camp, which will have weekly day-trip components. We will accommodate expanded general scout programs with overnight programs added to our repertoire.

The Farmhouse will allow for expansion of our popular on-site after school programs such as What’s For Dinner? and our public programs like Nights Out, as well as new farm-to-table based programs for families. A larger space situated on the farm will allow for larger groups to gather in all weather conditions for demonstrations, lectures, and hands-on learning that is simply not available currently. Located in a high-traffic area, the new Farmhouse and Plaza will serve as a central area for food options on festival weekends and an all-weather demonstration area for exhibitors and hands-on activities.

We will present workshops, lectures, and hands-on learning that enhances their knowledge and teaching skills modeled after Shelburne Farms, the Farm-Based Education Network (FBEN) conference, and Northeast Environmental Education Association (NEEEA) annual conference. Stamford is very well suited for this because of its central location between Boston and New York and its variety of accommodations for visitors.

Over the first few days in November, we hosted three key events to celebrate this magnificent addition to our 118-acre campus. Please enjoy this gallery of photos from this exciting weekend – and come visit us soon!

For information on renting the Knobloch Family Farmhouse, please click here.
For information on our new Adult Programs, please click here.