The Last Green Valley establishes headquarters at Eastern's historic Church Farm

ECSU Foundation property will continue to serve students, faculty

Willimantic, CT (10/08/2026) — The Last Green Valley (TLGV), Eastern Connecticut State University, and the ECSU Foundation, Inc. have announced a collaborative partnership that establishes Church Farm, a historic property in Ashford, as the future headquarters of TLGV. The partnership will preserve the ECSU Foundation-owned property while maintaining its longstanding role as an educational resource for Eastern students and faculty.

TLGV is completing its relocation to Church Farm in the week of Oct. 6, marking a new chapter for the regional nonprofit organization that stewards the Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor, a scenic, 35-town corridor stretching from south-central Massachusetts to eastern Connecticut.

"This is an incredible opportunity that has been years in the making," said Fran Kefalas, president of TLGV. "Being at Church Farm allows us to increase the awareness of all the important work that we and our partners do to ensure this special region retains the characteristics that make it worthy of being designated a National Heritage Corridor. To be able to activate Church Farm in partnership with the ECSU Foundation, and Eastern benefits not only the property and each organization, but the entire region."

Owned by the ECSU Foundation, Church Farm has served for many years as an important site for scientific research and experiential learning for Eastern's biology and environmental earth science programs. Under the partnership, Eastern students and faculty will continue to utilize the property for teaching and research activities through a formal access arrangement.

"Church Farm has long provided meaningful opportunities for Eastern students and faculty to connect learning and research with the natural environment," said Eastern President Karim Ismaili. "This partnership allows that important work to continue while bringing together organizations that share a deep commitment to education, stewardship, and the communities we serve. We are very pleased to welcome The Last Green Valley to Church Farm and look forward to all that this collaboration will make possible."

TLGV's mission of preserving and promoting the natural, historic, and cultural heritage of The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor closely aligns with Eastern's community-driven, public liberal arts mission.

The partnership was inspired by the vision of Tim White '81, an Eastern alumnus and member of the ECSU Foundation Board of Directors, who recognized the potential for collaboration among the three organizations.

"Church Farm has tremendous value as both a community asset and an educational resource," said White. "This partnership ensures that the property will remain actively used, responsibly stewarded, and available to support future generations of students, educators, researchers, and community members."

As a nonprofit conservation and heritage organization, TLGV will provide an active organizational presence at Church Farm while helping ensure the property's ongoing maintenance, sustainability, and public benefit. The arrangement also supports the ECSU Foundation's duty to steward foundation assets while continuing to support the mission of Eastern.

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