Our Mission: Keep farming, feed people, build community.
Massaro Community Farm is a non profit farm on a 57 acre parcel of land in Woodbridge, Connecticut, 10 minutes northwest of New Haven. Our mission is to keep farming, feed people, and build community. Our vision is to enhance the quality of life for generations to come.
Keep Farming
The farm includes 45 acres of woods and wetlands along with 12 acres of fields, and we currently have almost 5 acres of working farmland today that produces fruits, vegetables, flowers and honey. Our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program is now in its 2nd year with 150 members and we will soon be launching a farm stand as well.
Feed People
We donate a percentage of what we grow to local hunger relief organizations – in 2010 we donated over 4700 pounds of food – and we are expanding our food donation program partnerships this year in 2011 to feed more people.
Build Community
This summer, we have launched a number of education programs and workshops for children and adults including beekeeping, lunch bunch reading time and composting workshops. Check back often to see what new programs we have created for you.
- Barn Restoration in Progress
History of the Farm
In 1916, John and Mary Massaro purchased over 100 acres on the border of Woodbridge and Ansonia. They grew grapes to make wine, hay and corn to feed the dairy cows, and vegetables to nourish themselves. When John Massaro died on a snowy Christmas Eve in 1947, two of the three sons, Tony and John, suddenly had to run the farm with only their mother’s help. They continued in their father’s foosteps and kept the farm running.
Neither Tony nor John Jr. ever married. With no children of their own, they made their own extended family by recruiting local teenagers to work on the farm. This hands-on experience with thousands of chickens and dozens of dairy cows left a lasting impression on each person who contributed to the Massaro farm effort.
When John Jr. passed away in 2007, the family farm was entrusted to the Town of Woodbridge for safe keeping. In the autumn of 2008, the non profit Massaro Community Farm was formed to restore the farm with minimal burden on the town taxpayers.
Throughout the years of financial hardship, the Massaro brothers worked hard to make sure their farm survived. The Massaro Community Farm, Inc. is committed to ensuring that their dedication and hard work live on. It all starts by restoring the dairy barn, family home and fields.