The Root Legacy is one of public service and philanthropy
The Root Farm is now part of that legacy
The original Root Farm on College Hill in Clinton, NY was established by Elihu Root, who believed that exposure to farm life and animals was essential to the wholesome upbringing of his children and grandchildren. He left the farm to his children: Elihu, Edith and Edward. They, in turn, gifted it to Hamilton College in 1951. The original Root Farm house is now a student residence; the horse and cow barns are the pub and mail center.
Alice Root, the great granddaughter of Elihu the first, fostered the vision and established Mud Creek Farm Center for Equine-Assisted Therapy in Vernon Center, NY, where special needs children and adults received the benefit of equine/caprine/canine/feline and avine-assisted therapy. After seven years, the transition to a free-standing, full time facility became possible in the summer of 2004, and the legacy began to mature.
The new site for The Root Farm in Verona, NY continues to fulfill Elihu Root’s belief in the value of exposing children to farm life and animals. As the new home of The Root Farm Foundation and Center for Equine-Assisted Therapies, it perpetuates the legacy of public service and philanthropy.
