Friends Of Ambler Farm In Wilton Receives $324K Grant From ASML

**News Release Submitted by Friends Of Ambler Farm**

April 23, 2024

Friends of Ambler Farm (FoAF) has been selected to receive a grant of about $324,000 from ASML, a multinational semiconductor equipment manufacturer with a longstanding presence in and commitment to the Wilton community. The funds, to be disbursed over four years, will be used to renew the Farm’s educational gardens and animal habitats and to provide student scholarships for field trips to the Farm. ASML, which is headquartered in the Netherlands, employs more than 3,000 people in Wilton; the company also supports Ambler Farm by providing employees with paid time for volunteering there.

Owned by the Town of Wilton, Ambler Farm is a fully working farm, open to the public at no cost year-round. FoAF, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, develops, operates, and manages the farm’s programs, events, agriculture, and day-to-day operations. FoAF is separate from the Town, and depends on members, donors and sponsors to fund its operations, as well as its programs, events, and agriculture.

"ASML is committed to being a valued partner to our communities, and we are proud to support Ambler Farm in its continued efforts to improve access to green space and expand environmental education," said Brian Amero, society and community engagement program manager at ASML. “This collaboration is reflective of our ongoing efforts to give back to the Wilton community, and our particular belief in the importance of the Ambler Farm mission to promote reconnection to the natural world and environmental sustainability.”

Over the past 17 years, the educational gardens, animal habitats, and outdoor classroom space at Ambler Farm were built and maintained by youths in the Farm’s educational programs, most notably the Farmer Apprentice Program. After nearly two decades of heavy usage, they need significant repair and upgrades to ensure that Ambler Farm can continue providing the public with active-learning programs, sustainable agriculture, responsible land stewardship, and historic preservation. The educational gardens, animal habitats, and outdoor classroom space at Ambler Farm are at the epicenter of the outdoor programming area.

"Ambler Farm has evolved into a valuable community resource, and the funding that is being celebrated today is a gift for our entire community," says FoAF Executive Director Ashley Kineon. "In keeping with its mission, Ambler Farm offers hands- on educational programming, dynamic events, sustainable farming, and historic appreciation – all of which celebrate the local, agrarian history. But what makes Ambler Farm so important is the connections that are formed here. This Farm is a place to unplug, to breathe fresh air, to connect with the land, the animals, and one another."

One of the most exciting aspects of this grant is that these building projects are part of the youth programs. Students in our programs will participate in rebuilding this area. Sara Reiter, a Senior Mentor in the Apprentice Program, said: "Big projects are what bring us together and what I remember most. That is how I first realized Ambler was for me!" Another Senior Mentor, Henry McElligott, said: "This gives us a lot of opportunity we didn't have before. And that's exciting to be a part of it."

Continued community support is essential to ensure Ambler Farm remains a viable resource to all. Ambler Farm invites the community to visit, enjoy, and support this unique treasure. Visit www.amblerfarm.org for more information or to register and to check the calendar for what is happening at the Farm each month.