Hilltop Hanover Farm - Information

	Hilltop Hanover Farm History Westchester County purchased Hilltop Hanover Farm in 2003 to preserve the open space for public use, protect the area's watershed, and provide opportunities for the people of Westchester to learn about sustainable agricultural and environmentally sensitive practices. The farm's 180-plus acres straddle Hanover Street in Yorktown Heights, NY, with 50 acres of agricultural land on the west side and 130 acres of forest to the east. The Native Americans whose foot trails laid the foundation for many of today's area roads were the earliest inhabitants of this land. In the late 1780's, Abraham Underhill developed this site as a farm. It once totaled over 445 acres and was known for raising quality cattle and horses. The Underhill family called the Main House “Hillside Cottage.” They owned the property for over 125 years. In 1911, Philip Berolzheimer, President of the Eagle Pencil Company of NYC, purchased the farm, naming it Charhelen after his two children, Charles and Helen. In the 1940s, Henry and Molly McMahon Christal owned the farm, then known as Hanover Hill Farm. Prize winning Guernsey cows, Morgan horses and chickens were raised here. After 30 years, the dairy operations shut down and the herd sold. In 1977, a group of investors from New York City purchased the farm for the purpose of raising high quality Holstein cows. They changed the name to Hilltop Hanover Farm. Fire destroyed the original dairy barn in June of 1982, but the local firefighters saved the prized cows. By 1991, the breeding program for Hilltop Hanover Holsteins ceased and the entire herd, 123 head, was sold at auction. Westchester County secured the land through an initiative by then County Executive Andy Spano to preserve open space and protect drinking water. View of the farm looking Northwest Double rainbow looking east from the farm Our cow pastures! Some of our lovely carrots for sale at the Farm Stand More of the Farm Stand Beautiful Butterfly Another view of the farm facing North
Information on Hilltop Hanover Farm
The farm is open to the public. There is no admission fee. See hours below: THE FARM STAND - Hours - Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Hilltop Hanover Farm is proud to offer fresh, farm-grown produce, seasonal vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own bags. This weeks' vegetables available for purchase are listed below. U-PICK Hours - Saturdays ONLY from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Come pick your own produce in our crop fields, have fun, see how vegetables are grown and talk to our farmers in the field. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own bags. More Information on U-pick can be found below. Hours of Operation: *Summer Hours: (April 1st through October 31st)* Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Open Sundays only as announced for events Monday – closed to public Trails are open daily Winter Hours: (November 1st through March 31st) Open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Open weekends only as announced for events Monday – closed to public Trails are open daily ADMISSION Free. Certain programs and special events may have an associated fee. Please call the main office, (914) 962-2368, if you have questions. PARKING Free. Park in designated Visitor Parking areas only. PICK-YOUR-OWN During the harvest season, our vegetable fields are open to those hardy individuals who prefer to pick and choose their own vegetables, herbs and flowers from the market garden. Please call ahead to check for hours and produce availability, or check the website for posted events. Pick-your-own may only be done under the supervision of our farmer and/or interns in order to prevent crop damage. First come, first serve--once all the produce is harvested, picking will be closed for the day. Pick-Your-Own Hours (U-Pick) - Saturdays only from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Pick-Your-Own crops for September 4th will include: Tomatoes (various varieties, including many heirloom) Flowers Okra Parsley Collards Kale Beans (green, white, purple, and edamame) Basil Tomatillos Eggplant Potatoes Peppers (bell, italian, hot) Various herbs *Hilltop Hanover Friends group will be selling apples from Fishkill Farm. The Farm Stand crops for September 3rd & 4th will include Sungold Cherry Tomatoes (Limited quantity, first come first serve) Heirloom Tomatoes ( various kinds including the infamous Garden Peach) Trophy & Big Beef Tomatoes & Muscovich Amish Paste Tomatoes Tomatillos Poc Choi (NEW) Broccoli Raab (NEW) Cucumbers Eggplant (Italian, Asian, Rosa Bianca) Beans (green, white, purple, and edamame?) Husk Cherries Leeks?? Basil Summer Squash (Crook Neck, Zephyr, Patty Pan) Peppers (bell, italian, hot) Garlic Herbs Onions (Red) Melons (Honey Dew, Water, Cantelope?) * Hilltop Hanover Friends Group will be selling apples from Fishkill Farm. PICK-YOUR-OWN TIPS: Please bring your own bag Dress for the weather Drink plenty of water Watch where you walk & stay in rows as to not compact the soil in plant beds Know your own physical limits Be conscious of how much you want to spend before you harvest NO DOGS ALLOWED (sorry) Check yourself for ticks when you're done Have fun! GUIDED TOURS Self-guided Farm Tour Brochures are available. Guided tours are available, but may have a small fee. Groups of 10 or more require a reservation. Please call ahead for more information (914) 962-2368. EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS AND SCOUT GROUPS The farm staff offers guided tours and educational programs. The tours and programming highlight various sustainable practices being utilized at the farm, such as rainwater harvesting, greenroof buildings, composting, and other sustainable agricultural practices. Students receive a tour and may participate in various farming practices including planting, weeding and harvesting. There is a fee per student, and all tours and programs must be booked in advance with the main office (914) 962-2369. Something Good in the World, Inc., one of our farm associates, can offer tailored course curriculum programming utilizing on-farm teaching practices. Their programs are excellent and have received praise from schools and visitors alike. Visit their website for further details. HIKING TRAILS Currently there are three separate, inter-linked trails in 134 acres of forest which are open from dawn to dusk. Parking areas are located at trail heads on the east side of Hanover Street. Ours is a carry-in, carry-out facility. No Dogs allowed. Trail Maps available. (click here for a PDF trail map). DIRECTIONS: *From Interstate 684:* Take Exit 6 for Rte 35 west. Go approximately 2 miles. At light at Whitehall Corners, go Left onto Rte 100 south and go approx 3.5 miles. At light, go Right onto Rte118. Take first Right onto Hanover Street. Go approximately 1.5 miles. Entrance gate to Hilltop Hanover Farm is on the Left. *From the Taconic State Parkway:* Take the Millwood/Rte 100 exit. Turn Right onto Rte 100 north. Go approximately 3.5 miles. Cross the New Croton Reservoir Bridge. At the traffic light, go Left onto Rte 118. Take first Right onto Hanover Street. Go approximately 1.5 miles. Entrance gate to Hilltop Hanover Farm is on the Left. *From Rte 202 (and points west):* Travel Rte 202 (Crompond Road) into Yorktown. Rte 202 becomes Commerce Street at Rte 118/Rte 35 intersection. Commerce Street becomes Hanover Street at the Fire House (approximately 0.3 miles). Continue on Hanover Street another 1.5 miles. Entrance gate to Hilltop Hanover Farm is on the Right. . CONTACT INFORMATION: Phone: 914-962-2368 Fax: 914-962-2509 Email: click here WISH LIST If you have any of these items, please consider donating them to the farm! Coolers Gym lockers Window Screen Broken colorful china plates (for mosaic pots) Storm windows (no lead paint, please) Bicycle tires Any kind/amount of chain link fencing Five gallon buckets (especially food-safe) Fasteners (screws, bolts, nails, etc. Mixed is fine!) Bird bath heater Vegetable scale Craft items (notions, fat knitting and crochet needles, hot glue guns, silk screen supplies, etc.) Old wool sweaters (to be "felted" for craft classes) Old large and extra large T-shirts (for craft classes) External frame backpack Patio umbrella Garden tools (shovels, rakes, etc.) and hand tools (trowels, cultivators, etc) Iron and/or ironing board One million dollars

Information on Hilltop Hanover Farm