Homegrown Farms - GoFundMe

Since 2005, I have had the unique pleasure of working at Homegrown Farms, a Christmas tree farm located in Barkhamsted, CT. My experience at the farm has helped shape me into the person I am today and it was always a dream to one day have the opportunity to take over the daily operations of Homegrown Farms. 

Although they initially planned to step away in 2023, Bruce and Karen Brett made the decision to retire following the end of sales season last year. After spending nearly 45 years with the farm, they decided now was the time to focus their attention on making memories with their sons and grandchildren. Upon their decision, I was presented with the opportunity to make a dream I've held since I was 15 come true - Mr. Brett offered me the chance to take over Homegrown Farms. 

To say I am excited would be an understatement! However, this opportunity comes with great responsibility. The purpose of this GoFundMe is to reach out to the community the farm has been serving since 1978, as well as anyone and everyone else, and ask for assistance raising the start-up money necessary to keep the farm in business. While I am more than ready to put in the work and make the necessary sacrifices to keep the farm afloat, I'm humble enough to recognize my need for help, assistance and generosity. 

I know from the last 16 years what this farm means to the many families who make the hike up the hill each year to find their perfect tree. Aside from living out my dream, the underlying goal is to ensure the farm stays a farm. I don't believe I'm alone when I say it would truly break my heart if I drove by the land and saw a shopping center, condo complex or any other business other than a Christmas tree farm. Together, we can keep Homegrown Farms in business for another 50 years and families can continue making memories at the farm. 

I am grateful for any and all donations, no matter how large or small. And the sharing of this page and the accompanying video will help as well - the more eyes on the GoFundMe, the better for the future of Homegrown Farms. Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions. 

Thank you,
Zachary Humphrey

For a deeper look at Homegrown Farms and my experience, please enjoy this documentary: Homegrown Farms 


Where Will The Money Go?
The donations used will help fund the initial start-up costs of Homegrown Farms. These items include new trees to plant (we need to refill the fields of 20,000 trees), the necessary machinery to properly take care of the fields, treatment to keep the trees and fields happy and healthy, insurance and other vital fees, as well as a number of other important purchases that will help to return the fields to their full potential. Even though the farm already exists, this process will be like starting from scratch with predominately empty fields and no tools/machinery readily available unless purchased. 

What's In It For Me?
Aside from helping keep the farm around and in business, there are a few perks to donating...

Since we'll be planting new trees in every field, the time has come to rename the fields. If you are interested in naming a field after a loved one, grandchild, or any other person you want to memorialize, donations of $5000 - $10,000 will give you the opportunity to name a field of your choice. This name will be featured on the map of the fields and promotional materials for the farm.  If you make a donation of this size, I'll reach out and we can chat about the different fields, the types of trees that will be in each field, size of the field, etc. and you can make the decision regarding which field you want to name. 

Donations of $500 or more will get you early access to the farm! While our official opening day will still be the day after Thanksgiving, you'll have the ability to come early and get first pick of the trees if you so desire. Scheduling will be flexible. 

Donations of $50 or more will receive a Homegrown Farms t-shirt or hat - your choice! Keeping things transparent, the hats & shirts will not be available right away. With the changing of the guard at the farm, we're working on designing a new logo. Once that is complete, the shirts/hats will go into production. We will get your merch shipped out or delivered ASAP. Thank you in advance for your donation and your patience.