The Many Ways to Get Closer to Nature at Hilltop Farm

Five tree markers include a QR code. As you walk the property, scan them with your smartphone to get all the facts about the trees from a linked UConn website. Photo courtesy of Joan Heffernan.

Beehives located at the top of our fields are private property so please don't disturb them, but you're welcome to view them. Photo courtesy of Joan Heffernan.

Meet our long-time bald eagle family which has spawned a number of fledglings over the years. Be forewarned, though, that hiking on the main pathway in front of the nest is prohibited by law during the Feb. - mid July nesting season. Photo courtesy of Joan Heffernan.

Whatever the season, you can peer at our bald eagle family and other birds from a safe distance through our viewing scope permanently mounted on our wetlands boardwalk. Photo courtesy of Ellen Peterson.

Stop by during the summer and you just might find local farmers haying our fields. Photo courtesy of Joan Heffernan.

Broadleaf cigar tobacco is grown on our property by local farmers. Watch as it's harvested, hung and cured, typically in August. Photo courtesy of Joan Heffernan.

If you enjoy hummingbirds, make sure you stop by our garden that includes Penstemon, Columbine and Agastache to attract them. For a complete list of plantings, click here. Photo courtesy of Joan Heffernan.

Our Butterfly Garden includes flowers such as Cone flower, Lavender and Yarrow which feed butterflies. For a complete list of plantings, click here. Photo courtesy of Joan Heffernan.

Read about our contribution to sustaining Monarch Butterflies.

Our small Bird Garden includes Serviceberry, Bayberry and Honeysuckle to feed and help provide shelter and nesting. For a complete list of plantings, click here. Photo courtesy of Joan Heffernan.

Want to grow your own garden at Hilltop? Sign up for a Community Garden plot. Do it soon because we typically sell out in early spring . Photo courtesy of Joan Heffernan.