Echo Farm

Echo Farm The Farm Store is located in North Woodstock at 1051 Route 169. Open year round Thursday thru Sunday 10am til 5pm.
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I drove by your place the other day and noticed that you don’t have a barn quilt on your building yet! But it’s not to...
06/19/2026

I drove by your place the other day and noticed that you don’t have a barn quilt on your building yet! But it’s not too late. I have four recently created wooden quilts in stock right now that will add instant recognition to your property. Of course if recognition isn’t your thing, you can always display these beautiful works of art inside your home. Stop over today and have a look. Barn quilts are all the rage right now. If you’re trying to sell your house, one of these would be the frosting on the cake.

The Farm Store at Echo Farm
1051 Route 169
Woodstock, CT

Galloping Under The Galaxy At Stargazer Farm Stargazer Farm LLC began when Virginia McMahon, a lifelong equestrian and f...
06/19/2026

Galloping Under The Galaxy At Stargazer Farm

Stargazer Farm LLC began when Virginia McMahon, a lifelong equestrian and former elementary school teacher, decided she wanted a farm of her own after decades of teaching riding on Long Island.

She and her husband Christopher McMahon, a retired rear admiral in the U.S. Maritime Service, searched the East Coast for the right place to retire and build a barn. They purchased a 42‑acre property in East Woodstock, renovated the farmhouse, and began designing a professional‑grade equestrian facility.
Construction of the new barn was completed in December 2020.

The barn was designed and built by Morton Buildings and includes a 170×80 ft indoor riding arena, 175×100 ft outdoor arena, 18 horse stalls (10×12, matted, each with individual fans), two indoor grooming stalls, indoor & outdoor wash stalls, two tack rooms + storage room + office viewing area. Also included are
hayloft with functioning hay door, 60‑ft round pen, grass riding field, large grass pastures & individual paddocks, wooded riding trails, and flex‑fencing throughout.

Stargazer Farm is one of the most modern, purpose‑built equestrian facilities in Woodstock.

Virginia teaches hunt seat equitation for riders ages 6 through adult, all levels.
She currently keeps six horses and ponies specifically for lessons.

They run a summer pony camp as part of the community’s recreation program — a big draw for local kids.

Stalls are rented to boarders, giving the farm a mix of lesson horses and privately owned horses.

You may wonder why the McMahons named the farm “Stargazer”. Well, the name reflects the property’s open, rural East Woodstock skies. A place where you can actually see all the stars.

In summery, Stargazer Farm is one of Woodstock’s newer but most advanced equestrian farms, built from the ground up by a lifelong horsewoman who wanted to create a professional, welcoming riding environment for the community. It blends
high‑quality facilities, structured riding instruction, boarding, summer programs
and a family‑centered equestrian tradition. All on a beautifully restored 42‑acre East Woodstock property.

As a side note, Christopher McMahon is also an accomplished writer. His popular book; “Into A Gales Fury” chronicles his experiences aboard merchant ships, facing storms, unhinged crews, and piracy while highlighting the merchant marines. The book is available for purchase at The Farm Store. Mr. Kitty gives it five stars so it must be good!

You’ll find Staregazer Farm at 136 Woodstock Road, East Woodstock, CT
Additional info is available on their website stargazerfarmct.com.

Now it’s time for Mr. Kitty and me to stop horsin’ around and get to work. Have a sparkling day!

Bruce & Mr. Kitty
The Farm Store at Echo Farm
1051 Route 169
Woodstock, CT
Open Thursday thru Sunday

Six new Mr. Kittys just arrived! Grab ‘em while you can. Priced from just $12. The Farm Store at Echo Farm1051 Route ...
06/18/2026

Six new Mr. Kittys just arrived! Grab ‘em while you can. Priced from just $12.

The Farm Store at Echo Farm
1051 Route 169
Woodstock, CT

Why is Bruce Hill smiling? Because he figured out how to repurpose a vintage coat rack. Now it begins its new life a...
06/18/2026

Why is Bruce Hill smiling? Because he figured out how to repurpose a vintage coat rack. Now it begins its new life as a plant stand. Will it fit in your house? $218

The Farm Store at Echo Farm
1041 Route 169
Woodstock, CT

Mr.Kitty recommends this super healthy meal idea. Just add hot water. All natural, organic and vegan… for just five bu...
06/18/2026

Mr.Kitty recommends this super healthy meal idea. Just add hot water. All natural, organic and vegan… for just five bucks! Bring home a bunch of them for a quick lunch.

The Farm Store at Echo Farm
1051 Route 169
Woodstock, CT

06/18/2026

Right down the road from Echo Farm. In the parking lot at The Christmas Barn.

Today’s flowers to brighten a gray day. The last of the peonies ( white only) and forks flower bunches. The Farm Stor...
06/18/2026

Today’s flowers to brighten a gray day. The last of the peonies ( white only) and forks flower bunches.

The Farm Store at Echo Fatm
1051 Route 169
Woodstock, CT

The Quiet Corner’s Agricultural Backbone Woodstock Farms at 586 Senexet Road is a 40‑year‑old, family‑run vegetable, flo...
06/18/2026

The Quiet Corner’s Agricultural Backbone

Woodstock Farms at 586 Senexet Road is a 40‑year‑old, family‑run vegetable, flower, and farmstand operation with deep community roots, a historic barn structure, and an active CSA program. It is one of Woodstock’s most quietly important small farms. It’s not flashy, but is deeply woven into local culture.

The Senexet road property includes a New England gambrel‑roof barn, documented by the Historic Barns of Connecticut survey. It features Gambrel New England typology, concrete block walls and an asphalt shingle roof. You can easily see it from the road.

The farm sits on a historic agricultural parcel, likely dating back to earlier 20th‑century mixed farming, even though the current business entity began in 1987 by Woodstock Natives, Amy and Rick Vinal.

Woodstock Farms is known for locally
grown vegetables (core crop operation), a beautiful selection of flowers which are legendary in the Quiet Corner, seasonal fruits, and CSA shares (half, full, and flower shares).

The farm operates multiple greenhouses, with early‑season planting. So if you want the first tomatoes of the season, you know where to find them!

Woodstock Farms is unusually community‑oriented for a small farm. They sponsor a long‑running annual community quilt project and participate in town-wide farm related events. They’re also found at several farmer’s markets in the area. This positions the farm as a social hub, not just a produce operation.

While the current business dates to 1987, the barn survey shows the structure predates that and was historically used for agriculture. Combined with Woodstock’s long agricultural land‑use history (dating back to 1686 settlement), this suggests the farm sits on multi‑generation farmland, even if ownership changed.

Amy Vinal is a member of the Healey family know for operating Echo Farm as a dairy farm for many, many years. Is it possible the land that Woodstock Farms occupies was at one point part of the early Echo Farm? I did find the Healey name associated with the barn on Senexet Road but I couldn’t locate any more info.

Woodstock Farms is one of the last remaining traditional family vegetable farms in the Senexet corridor. It represents: continuity of small‑scale agriculture, preservation of historic barn architecture and is a living example of Woodstock’s “quiet farm culture”. And above all else, the farm owners are among the nicest and most knowledgeable people in Woodstock … but I’m pretty sure you already knew that.

The farm stand is open every day but Sunday during the season. If you haven’t been there, you owe it to yourself to check it out!

I’m sure you have plenty of stories to share about your experiences with Woodstock Farms. Please share them with us in the comments section below!

Best wishes from Bruce & Mr. Kitty

The Farm Store at Echo Farm
1051 Route 169
Woodstock, CT

New England’s Most Unexpected Farm Long before bison ever set hoof in Brooklyn, the land along Creamery Brook was part o...
06/17/2026

New England’s Most Unexpected Farm

Long before bison ever set hoof in Brooklyn, the land along Creamery Brook was part of the earliest agricultural settlement in the town. The brook itself powered small mills and supported dairy and mixed farming as early as the mid‑1700s.The land was used for livestock, vegetables, hay and grain production.

This area became known for its creamery operations, which is how the brook and eventually the farm got its name; Creamery Brook Bison Farm .

The modern farm story begins when the Orzechowski family acquires the property. For decades, they operated it as a traditional New England dairy farm, maintaining the same fields, stone walls, and pasture layout that had existed since the 1700s. Austin and Deborah Tanner bought this farm in May of 1981 as a dairy farm.

This continuity is why Creamery Brook Bison is considered a heritage agricultural property. The land has never stopped being a farm.

In the early 1990s, the Tanner family made a bold, visionary move:
They transitioned from dairy cows to American bison. This made Creamery Brook Bison one of the first bison farms in New England and the only bison farm in Connecticut for lots of years. Today, it’s a regional agricultural landmark.

The herd began small but grew steadily as the family developed expertise in bison husbandry which is a very different world from dairy.

Creamery Brook Bison became one of the Quiet Corner’s earliest agritourism farms, offering bison wagon tours, educational programs, seasonal events, farm store products and school visits,

Families from across Connecticut came to see the herd, learn about bison, and experience a working farm.

The on‑farm store became known for bison meat (lean, grass‑fed), maple products, honey, local farm goods and
handmade items. This helped the farm remain financially sustainable while preserving the land’s agricultural use.

The herd typically ranges from 30–50 bison, depending on calving season.

The farm follows national bison‑industry standards and emphasizes sustainable grazing.

This farm matters because it represents
300+ years of continuous agriculture. It’s a rare example of a colonial dairy farm reinventing itself in that it has preserved
historic farmland in a rapidly developing region and is one of the only bison herds in southern New England.

You’ll find Creamery Brook Bison Farm at:
29 Purvis Road in Brooklyn, CT
More info and operating hours are available on their website: creamerybrookbison.net

Sounds like another farm to visit here in the quiet corner. Mr.Kitty gives it two thumbs up.

Have you been there? If so, please let us know about your experience in the comments section. As always, be sure to share this and all farm history posts. Help spread the word about the uniqueness of the Quiet Corner!

The Hill That Fed Connecticut Fort Hill Farms in Thompson, Connecticut is one of the oldest continuously farmed properti...
06/16/2026

The Hill That Fed Connecticut

Fort Hill Farms in Thompson, Connecticut is one of the oldest continuously farmed properties in the Quiet Corner, with roots stretching back to a 1683 royal land grant. It’s a rare example of a colonial farm that has remained active for more than 300 years, evolving from dairy production to agritourism while preserving its historic barns and landscape.

The land was originally part of a grant to Major Robert Thompson, issued by the King of England on May 16, 1683.
This grant established one of the earliest agricultural tracts in northeastern Connecticut, and the property has been farmed continuously ever since.

For centuries, Fort Hill Farms operated as a working dairy farm, maintaining large herds and multiple barns.
Today, it remains an active dairy operation and is a proud member of The Farmer’s Cow, a cooperative of Connecticut family dairy farms as well as Cabot Cheese.

The farm is currently operated by two generations involved in daily operations.
Their work includes dairy production, gardens and agritourism, a farm store, seasonal corn maze and public events.

The public‑facing business address is 260 Quaddick Road, while the historic barns sit on O’Leary Road.

The barns at Fort Hill Farms are documented in the Historic Barns of Connecticut survey. They are classic gambrel‑roofed dairy barns, visible from the public road and still in active use.

The name “Fort Hill” refers to an ancient terrace above the fields, used as a strategic lookout point by early settlers and Indigenous people. This elevated landform gave the farm its enduring name.

For more information on this extraordinary historic farm check their website at forthillfarms.com

Enjoy your day!
The Farm Store at Echo Farm
1051 Route 169
Woodstock, CT
Open Thursday thru Sunday

Address

1051 Route 169
Woodstock, CT
06281

Opening Hours

Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

860-481-3726

Website

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