The Tioga County Farm, originally established from land given by Elizer and Harriet Talcott in November of 1836, housed individuals unable to care for themselves due to poverty, illness, or other circumstances. Common across the United States, these facilities operated as self-sustaining farms where residents contributed to growing crops and raising livestock in exchange for room, board, and care. Due to the expansion of social service programs in the mid– 20th century, many of the farms were repurposed or closed.
Tioga Opportunities, Inc. purchased the five-acre property on July 5, 1984, and began rehabilitation efforts. Just months later, on December 18, 1984, a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the opening of a 15-unit single-room occupancy facility, marking a new chapter in the property’s history.
County Farm remains an essential resource for the community. Today, the site features 14 units, including 8 one-bedroom and 6 two-bedroom apartments, providing safe, affordable housing to local residents. What was once a historic “poor farm” has undergone many transformative phases, providing new opportunities and stands as a testament of TOI’s evolving role in helping people, and changing lives.
(Photo: Senator Warren Anderson was assisted by Glenn Hine, TOI Executive Director, and special guests at the dedication of the County Farm Apartments. December 18, 1984)
