Welcome to Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center!

The Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center is a working farm and environmental educational center, located in Yorktown Heights, NY.  Westchester County, through the efforts of County Executive Andrew Spano and County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz, purchased the 180 acre former dairy farm in 2003 for agricultural preservation, drinking water protection and the promotion of environmental stewardship through demonstration projects and programs for sustainability.

Westchester County is dedicated to providing a regional education center that offers programs on healthy and sustainable food production, researches and teaches skills for small-scale suburban and urban farming techniques and illustrating sustainable living practices such as alternative energy sources, for the residents of Westchester County.

A farm and forest dynamic is evidenced throughout the property by the approximately 50 acres of farmland and the 130 acres of forest with public hiking trails, vernal pools, rocky outcrops and wetlands.   The County Departments of Planning and Parks, Recreation & Conservation work collaboratively to preserve this farm and forest dynamic and advance the goals of Hilltop Hanover.

In addition, the farm operations are a reciprocal effort between Westchester County and its farm associates.  The farm associates are a group of non-profit and for profit entities who utilize farm space for educational, agricultural and animal husbandry programs for the public.

Westchester County’s Goals for the Farm:

• Provide an educational farm model that focuses on sustainability and minimizes harmful impacts on land and natural resources.

• Serve as an information clearing house for local residents, farmers and schools on environmental, sustainable and conservation practices.

• Increase public awareness of environmental impacts through demonstrations to reduce reuse and recycle in all aspects of farm operations; educate the public and professionals about the importance of eliminating the use of herbicides and pesticides.

• Provide information and establish demonstration projects related to alternative energy solutions, such as solar, wind and geo-thermal applications as well as rainwater collection systems and composting.

• Offer educational opportunities to the public about how food is grown, with a focus on the appreciation for seasonality and the rhythm of nature.