Land & Water

The farm follows organic certification standards and practices rotational grazing with its chickens and livestock to minimize the impact on the soil. Through FFEAT, students have the opportunity to participate in every facet of farm life, from planting crops to feeding animals and processing the harvest. Learn more about Fairfield Farm.

No chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides have been used on the golf course for more than 30 years. Hotchkiss maintains Integrated Pest Management (IPM) standards to care for the golf course. Learn more about the Hotchkiss Golf Course.

Also known as the Hotchkiss Woods, this 200-acre forest borders the campus to the south and is used for recreation, inspiration, and occasional outdoor classes — particularly English, art, and environmental studies. It is traversed by several scenic trails, including Beaver Pond Trail, maintained by students in the Outdoor Leadership club and other co-curricular groups. As a living laboratory, it's also a key resource for the Hotchkiss Summer Portals program, which emphasizes environmental studies.

The Larsen Perimeter Trail, completed in fall 2015, was made possible through the generosity of the Larsen family: Chris ’55, his brother Jon ’57, and Chris’s sons Mark ’82 and Chad ’88. The seven-mile loop connects the main campus with all of the School’s natural areas: Fairfield Farm, Beeslick Brook Woods, Long Pond, and Lake Wononscopomuc. In fall 2016, informational kiosks will be installed along the trail containing information about the ecology of the surrounding area.

Download Hotchkiss Trail Map

Lake Wononscopomuc is the deepest natural lake in Connecticut, with a maximum depth of 60 feet. In the spring, sailing team practices are held here.