NOFA-NJ Members Farm Tour

Join NOFA-NJ on Thursday evening, July 17th, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm for a fun and unique visit to Vernon Valley Farm, one New Jersey's newest sustainable "old farms" located in Sussex County only 50 miles from Manhattan.  Farmer Kirk Stevens is proud to say,"This land has been stewarded by our family since 1836, with help from many hands".  The lush pastures with grazing cattle, vegetable production gardens and northeastern forested woodlots, many with a spectacular view of the Mountain Creek Resort ski runs, will provide a pastoral "feast for your eyes" on this truly "Local Farm" to the New York City metropolitan area.As you tour the farm fields, pastures and woodlots with Kirk, you will see and hear first-hand how Vernon Valley Farm raises their delicious grass-fed beef, pastured pork, and naturally grown vegetables, producing fresh, healthy, flavorful food that is chemical and drug free using nature's synergies to farm rather than industrial farming methods.Kirk will share his agricultural expertise and his principles of sustainability that are evident in everything that is done at the farm.  He will discuss simple temporary fencing for rotational grazing of cows and hogs and show you how he has put to use in his farm pastures.  His passion for farming is best expressed in his own words, "Aside from my love of farming, I feel a personal responsibility to work this land.  The pressure to develop New Jersey's remaining open space is intense and I fear what would happen if I were not here to safeguard it.  It is thus that I strive to build a community of ecologically conscious farmers and consumers to ensure a future for this farm".- See more at: http://www.nofanj.org/programs_farmtours.htm#sthash.ULtkgp9l.dpuf