ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE RIGHT TO FARM
IN THE TOWN OF WOODSTOCK

Adopted June 21, 2000
Effective July 12, 2000

Purpose: 

Pursuant to the powers conferred upon by Section 7 – 148 (c) (7) (e), (8), and (10) (A), and in furtherance of the goals of Section 19 a-341 of the General Statutes, the Town of Woodstock adopts this ordinance to recognize the importance of protecting prime farmland, to identify those parcels for which preservation is a priority, and to foster farming as a way of life by declaring this municipality’s support of the farmer’s right to farm. Definitions

Except as otherwise specifically defined, the words “agriculture” and “Farming” shall include cultivation of the soil, dairying, forestry, raising or harvesting of any agricultural or horticultural commodity, including the raising, shearing, feeding, caring for, training and management of livestock, including horses, bees, poultry, fur-bearing animals and wildlife, and the raising or harvesting of oysters, clams, mussels, and other mollusks and shellfish or fish; the operation management, conservation, improvement or maintenance of a farm and its buildings, tools and equipment, or salvaging timber or cleared land of brush or other debris left by a storm, as an incident to such farming operations; the production or harvesting of maple syrup or maple sugar, or any agricultural commodity, including lumber, as an incident to ordinary farming operations or the harvesting of mushrooms, the hatching of poultry, or the construction, operation of maintenance of ditches, canals, reservoirs or waterways used exclusively for packaging, processing, freezing, grading, storing or delivering to storage or to market, or to a carrier for transportation to market, or for direct sale any agricultural or horticultural commodity as an incident to ordinary farming operations, or, in preparation of such fruits or vegetables as an incident to the direct sale. 

The term “farm” includes farm building, and greenhouses, hoophouses and other temporary structures or other structures used primarily for the raising and, as an incident to ordinary farming operations, the sale of agricultural or horticultural commodities. 

The term “aquaculture” means the production of protein food, including fish, oysters, clams, mussels and other mollusks and shellfish, on leased, franchised and public underwater farmlands.

The Right to Farm

Notwithstanding, any general statute or municipal ordinance or regulation pertaining to nuisances to the contrary, no agricultural or farming operation, place, establishment or facility, or any of its appurtenances, or the operation thereof, shall be deemed to constitute a nuisance, either public or private, due to alleged objectionable

(1) Odor from livestock, manure, fertilizer or feed, (2) noise from livestock, or farm equipment used in normal, generally acceptable farming procedures, (3) dust created during plowing or cultivation operations, (4) use of chemicals, provided such chemicals and the method of their application conform to practices approved by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, or, where applicable, Commissioner of Health Services, or (5) water pollution from livestock or crop production activities, except the pollution of public or private drinking water supplies, provided such activities conform to acceptable management practices for pollution control approved by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection; provided such agricultural or farming operation, place, establishment or facility has been in operation for one year or more, and has not been substantially changed and such operation follows generally accepted agricultural practices. Inspection and approval of the agricultural or farming operation, place, establishment or facility by the Commissioner of Agriculture or his designee shall be prima facie evidence that such operation follows generally accepted agricultural practices.

Willful or Reckless Misconduct Not Protected

The provisions of this ordinance shall not apply whenever a nuisance results from negligence or willful or reckless misconduct in the operation of any such agricultural or farming operation, place, establishment or facility, or any of its appurtenances.

Impact Upon Zoning

Nothing contained in this ordinance shall restrict the power of the Woodstock Planning and Zoning Commission under Chapter 124 of the General Statutes. The Commission is urged to adopt regulations consistent with this ordinance, and to make the permanent preservation of farmland within this municipality, a criterion in its planning and policy decisions.

Effective Date

This ordinance shall be effective (15) fifteen days after publication thereof in a newspaper having substantial circulation in the Town of Woodstock.

Woodstock's open space provides clean water and air, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, and a special quality of life. At the same, time, open space places minimal demands on public resources. Supporting Woodstock farmers and others in agricultural enterprises helps them stay in business, and benefits the community. Woodstock's farms, and dairy farms in particular, consist of extensive acreage in open space. We can help maintain the rural nature of the town, and the availability of locally grown products by purchasing Woodstock Grown items, including fruits, vegetables, cider, Christmas trees, greenhouse and nursery products, corn silage and hay.

There are about 82 farmer's markets in CT. To request a brochure that lists addresses, days and hours, by county, send a self-addressed stamped business-size envelope to CT DAG, Farmer's Market Brochure, 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford CT 06106, or see the CT Department of Agriculture website. 

Below is a list of some of the Woodstock farm-related businesses and products they sell. All Woodstock phone numbers have a (860) area code. If you would like to be included on this list or change something, please contact the webmaster. Please note that the presence of any link on this site does not constitute an endorsement, favoring, or approval of the site or any specific commercial product, commodity or service by the Town of Woodstock. 

Jump to: Christmas Trees and Seasonal Greenery, Dairy Products, Hay, Honey, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Maple Syrup, Nursery and Greenhouse Products and Wineries

Christmas Trees and Seasonal Greenery

• Krushefsky's Tree Farm
  1719 Route 171, Woodstock Valley, 933-0330
  Christmas trees, garden accessories
• Breton Tree Farm
  Route 171 in West Woodstock, 974-9103?
  Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands
• Mary's Christmas Shop at the Blacksmith Shop
  Woodstock Road, East Woodstock, 928-6807. Open November and December
  Christmas trees, wreaths, roping, sprays, locally made jams and jellies
• Troll Knoll Tree Farm
  Joy Road, Woodstock, 974-0108
  Christmas trees, wreaths, boughs, raspberries and blueberries
• Sprucedale Gardens
  Rte 171 & East Quasset Rd, South Woodstock, 974-0045
  Live and cut Christmas Trees

Hay

• Long Meadow Farm
  140 Perrin Rd., Woodstock, 974-0014
  Hay, tourists welcome
• Moheda Farm
  30 New Sweden Road, Woodstock, 974-2443, Email: collinsmmjs@charter.net
  Baled Hay

• Adams Apiaries, LLC
  11 Brickyard Rd., Woodstock, 974-0758
  Native pollen and honey at Sweet Evalina's and Morse's Farm Stand
• Norman's Sugarhouse
  387 County Road, Woodstock, 974-1235. Email: r.norman@snet.net
  Honey - also see Maple Syrup

• Norman's Sugarhouse
  387 County Road, Woodstock, 974-1235. Fax: 974-0496. Email: r.norman@snet.net
  Maple syrup year round. Wholesale and retail. Maple candy and maple cream available. Maple sugaring equipment and supplies. Visitors welcome - please call ahead.

• Woodstock currently has more operating dairy farms than any other town in Connecticut. Woodstock dairy products are sold to Cabot Inc., Agri-Mart, and Garelick Milk.
• The Farmer's Cow is a group of family-owned dairy farms, producing fresh, rBST-free milk from local CT family farms.  Milk can be purchased at various locations, including Woodstock at Fairview Farms Fairvue Market, 199 Rte. 171 and Woodstock Valley Marketplace on 1484 Rte. 171.
• Fairholm Farm, Inc. 72 Chandler School Rd., Woodstock, 923-2624, fairholm_farm@earthlink.net