To access the interactive agritourism map click HERE.
Central Jersey’s farmers have stepped up during the pandemic of 2020, nourishing us with fresh, local produce, while providing wholesome outdoor activities such as “pick-your-own” berries, apples, and peaches. The privilege of living in the Garden State is no longer something to be taken for granted!
Farmers and wine growers have always been skilled at adapting to changing conditions—weather, market forces, technology. That adaptability has been indispensable this year. Indeed, conditions are changing so fast we recommend you check each farm and winery’s website in case hours, activities, or open times have changed.
Central Jersey farms are nestled in some of the most beautiful landscapes our nation has. Check out our interactive map to find farms and wineries—as well as restaurants, parks, beverage makers, historic sites, quaint villages, and many other special places—that can round out your days in Central Jersey. In reverse alphabetical order, here are Discover Central New Jersey’s farm and winery picks for the 2020 harvest season:
The 2020 corn maze at Von Thun contains a big nod to safety.
VON THUN FARMS: The Von Thuns have been farming here for more than a century. Located in South Brunswick and Washington, they are still offering many of your favorite activities – apple picking, pumpkin picking, interactive corn maze, hayrides, pedal karts – but in a socially distanced manner.
Their on-farm market offers fresh-picked homegrown fruits and vegetables, homegrown grass-fed beef and eggs, local honey, jams, jellies and dressings, apple cider, homemade apple cider donuts, fresh baked pies and more.
UNIONVILLE VINEYARDS: The Unionville Vineyards has adapted to the pandemic by erecting a big, beautiful tent and providing open-air wine tastings Thursday through Sunday by appointment. In addition to wine, visitors can enjoy a variety of gourmet cheeses, crostini, and salumi. Unionville manages and sources grapes from five vineyard sites across Central Jersey. Named one of the top 500 wineries in the United State by FOOD&WINE Magazine, they recently receive a 90-point rating from the Cork Report for their Cabernet Franc.
Unionville’s large tent provides open-air tasting with a view.
TERHUNE ORCHARDS & WINERY: Terhune Orchards has long been among the most popular farm destinations in Central Jersey. With the arrival of September, Terhune is offering lots of U-pick opportunities for apples, peaches, blackberries, pumpkins, and sunflowers. Check their website to know what’s in season. Apple picking is open all season without advance ticketing at 13 Van Kirk Road.
Terhune Orchards offers lots for children to do.
Advance online ticketing to manage crowd size is required on the “home farm” on Cold Soil Road, Saturdays and Sundays, starting September 12. Enjoy farm fresh open-air, family fun all season long, 10am-5pm with live music from noon to 4pm. Wine tastings for adults. Children will have fun in hay bale maze, hippity hop corral, and duckie races. Take a family stroll on our farm trail or through the trail of sunflowers. Don’t miss fall treats of apple cider and donuts. Stop at the fall food tent for picnic bags with fresh farm treats.
SUYDAM FARMS: This historic farm is managed by the 12th generation of Suydams to be farmers in Somerset, NJ, just off Route 27. The big greenhouse store is open weekends, offering farm-raised meat, Jersey Fresh produce, and nursery plants. Visitors can walk around the barns and see live animals including cows, goats, pigs, and chickens. In October, Suydam Farms will be offering a self-guided tour of the farm, including stories of its great history.
SNYDERS FARM: Located in Somerset, Snyders’ popular fall festivals will run on October weekends, with hayrides, corn maze, pumpkin-picking, and food items. Their popular open-air roadside stand has closed for the season. Check their website for outdoor movie nights in September.
OLD YORK CELLARS: Old York Cellars is open daily with lots of covered outdoor seating and breathtaking views of the Sourland Mountains. Reservations are recommended to guarantee a space. Boasting some of the oldest vines in New Jersey, Old York Cellars is located on the historic road between New York and Philadelphia. In addition to the winery, Old York has a second location in the Quaker Bridge Mall with a full restaurant and offers take-out of Chef Jose’s signature traditional Spanish menu, including tapas and paella.
NORZ-HILL FARM: Hillsborough’s Norz-Hill Farm in 2020 will again offer its famous fall festival weekends beginning September 12 with hayrides to visit the farm animals, expanding September 19 to include the corn maze and pumpkin patch. All farm visitors required to wear face masks and hand sanitizer will be provided. Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights in October will once again bring the SCARE FARM (weather permitting).
Goats are among the animals to see at Norz-Hill.
Located on the western side of Hillsborough, Norz-Hill has dramatically expanded their retail operation since the pandemic began with a huge open-air tent and personal shoppers helping shoppers find Jersey Fresh and farm grown meat and produce with minimum handling.
HOPEWELL VALLEY VINEYARDS: The Vineyard has expanded its outdoor seating for wine by the bottle every day of the week. Live music, pizza, and other light fare are available Thursday through Sunday. Tables in courtyard, deck, and large covered tent are first come, first served. You may bring your own chairs and blankets to sit anywhere around the vineyard that is open to the public.
Owned by a couple hailing from Italy and Greece, Hopewell Valley Vineyards offers a distinctly European style of winemaking, complete with Sangiovese, Barbera, Vidal Blanc, and Spumante Secco wines.
HILLSBORO COUNTRY FARM MARKET: Celebrating 150 years in business, the Hillsboro Country Farm Market has opened up its barn doors for ventilation, and reconfigured the store for COVID safety. The store offers a wide variety of Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, fresh baked and preserved goods. Special at-risk/senior shopping from 10-11 AM weekdays followed by regular shopping until 5pm. Closed Mondays.
Hidden Spring Lavender is a Century-old farm with a gift shop and alpacas.
HIDDEN SPRING LAVENDER FARM: This on-farm market is in the Skillman section of Montgomery, offers culinary lavender, tea, and honey, plus a wide range of lavender lotions, creams, perfumes, and plush toys. The store has expanded hours to every Saturday and Sunday, 10-4pm. No more than five people are allowed in the store at one time, masks required, and they offer a curb-side pickup if you pre-order online. Visit the cute alpacas while you’re on the farm.
GRIGGSTOWN FARM: Griggstown Farm is best known for their own poultry and prepared foods, including Griggstown’s famous chicken and turkey pot pies. Almost any visit to the store involves a drive along the Millstone Valley National Scenic Byway and a chance to visit the D&R Canal State Park.
DOGWOOD FARMS: Relocated this year from Hillsborough to Basking Ridge, Dogwood Farms is operated organically at English Farm, which dates back to the Revolutionary War when French and American troops camped in the English Farm fields on route to the final victory at Yorktown, VA. Their store is located in a beautiful historic barn. They offer vegetables, dairy products, meat and poultry, sauces, salsa, Bloody Mary mix, and much more! Sightseers are welcomed to visit the Testo pizza truck from 10 AM to 4 PM on weekends, and farm animals. Pumpkin Picking will also be available for families in October!
The Knox family of Dogwood Farms at their new, historic farm in Basking Ridge.
CHERRY GROVE FARM: This Lawrenceville organic farm is best known for cheeses, grass-fed beef, and whey-fed pork. They have a wide variety of locally made food products in a store open 7 days per week, 10-5pm. They also welcome you to visit their dairy herd, milking parlor and creamery, where you can watch the cheese makers in action. Learn about locally-sourced and artisan-made products, from honey to mustard, chutney to cheeseboards! They have a picnic area, flower gardens, and animals wandering about doing what they do best.
BRICK FARM MARKET, TAVERN, & RED BARN MILK CO: The family behind the Brick Farm Market, Brick Farm Tavern, and the Red Barn Milk Company are leaders in the local food movement. Locally grown and processed meat, poultry, vegetables, ice cream, and more can be purchased at the market in quaint Hopewell Borough, or at the nearby tavern that has dramatically expanded outdoor seating while popularizing the menu. In a hurry? Try their high-quality Red Barn farm-to-table hamburger and ice cream joint on Route 31 in Ringoes.
Brick Farm Tavern has added spacious outdoor dining
BOBOLINK DAIRY & BAKEHOUSE: Located in Milford near the Delaware River, make your visit to Bobolink a day in the countryside. They are renowned for a unique, Central Jersey approach to cheesemaking, grass-fed beef and whey-fed pork. They bake distinctive breads with regional grains and the farm store carries house-made charcuterie; eggs from their own cage-free, soy-free chickens; fresh 100% grass-fed milk, cream, and butter. Check their website to see if they are offering a farm tour the day you visit.
We’d love to hear about your farm visit this harvest season. Drop us a line and tell us what you discovered in Central Jersey.
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