Welcome to Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center!

Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center is a working farm and environmental educational center located in Yorktown Heights, NY.  Through the efforts of County Executive Andrew Spano and County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz, Westchester County purchased the 180 acre former dairy farm in 2003 for agricultural preservation, drinking water protection, and the promotion of environmental stewardship through demonstration projects and programs for sustainability.

Westchester County's Hilltop Hanover Farm provides a regional education center that offers programs on healthy and sustainable food production, researches and teaches skills for small-scale suburban and urban farming techniques, and illustrates sustainable living practices such as alternative energy sources for the residents of Westchester County.

The farm and forest dynamic is evidenced throughout the property by the 50 acres of farmland and the 130 acres of forest with public hiking trails, vernal pools, rocky outcrops, and wetlands.   The County Departments of Planning and Parks, Recreation & Conservation work collaboratively to preserve this farm and forest dynamic and advance the goals of Hilltop Hanover.

In addition, the farm operations are a reciprocal effort between Westchester County and its farm associates.  The farm associates are a group of non-profit and for profit entities who utilize farm space for educational, agricultural and animal husbandry programs for the public.

Westchester County’s Goals for Hilltop Hanover Farm:

• Provide an educational farm model focused on sustainability.

• Serve as an information clearing house on environmental and conservation practices for local residents, farmers, and schools.

• Increase public awareness of environmental impacts through demonstrations and educational events.

• Provide information and establish demonstration projects related to alternative energy solutions, such as solar, wind and geo-thermal applications as well as rainwater collection systems and composting.

• Offer educational opportunities to the public about how food is grown, with a focus on the appreciation for seasonality and the rhythms of nature.

Picture of the Farm at Home demonstration garden in late summer