Schiff Natural Lands Trust Announces Its 8th Annual Farm to Table Dinner

MENDHAM TOWNSHIP, NJ— Schiff Natural Lands Trust is proud to announce the return of its celebrated Farm to Table Dinner, now in its eighth year and more anticipated than ever. This year’s event takes place on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Hacklebarney Farm Cider Mill in Chester, New Jersey — and for the first time, guests will be invited behind the gates of one of New Jersey’s last working heritage cider mills for a one-of-a-kind evening.

Hacklebarney Farm is a fifth-generation family farm rich in agricultural tradition and heritage, set among the rolling hills of Chester. A rare example of a working landscape, the farm has sustained its orchards and cider-making traditions through generations of careful stewardship. This year, for the first time, its gates open for an intimate public evening — a behind-the-scenes experience unlike anything the farm has offered before.

“Hacklebarney Farm is exactly the kind of place that reminds you why this work matters. It is a living, working landscape — one that has been tended with intention and care for generations. We are excited to bring our community inside these gates for the first time to get a close-up view of the value of regenerative farming— stewardship is what this evening is about. There is no more fitting place to celebrate what Schiff stands for.”

— Marissa S. McDonnell, M.D., Board President, Schiff Natural Lands Trust

An Evening to Remember

Guests will dine outdoors in a uniquely curated setting, surrounded by rolling orchards, historic barns, and the natural beauty of the New Jersey countryside. The evening is an immersive farm-to-table celebration — with education into regenerative apple orcharding, seasonal cocktails under the open sky, and live bluegrass from The Lazy Sky, culminating in a three-course candlelit dinner from locally sourced ingredients. This year’s dinner is again curated by Chef Zach Fabian, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America whose career has taken him through the kitchens of some of New York City’s most acclaimed restaurants.

Become a Member. Secure Your Place First.

Schiff Natural Lands Trust members will receive a private ticket link in early July — weeks ahead of general public sales, which open in mid-August. Membership directly supports the permanent protection of forests, streams, wildlife habitat, environmental education, and miles of trails that enrich our community, and comes with one of the most coveted benefits of the season — first access to an unforgettable evening.

Seating is limited to 200 guests. This event has historically sold out.

Join or renew your membership today at schiffnaturepreserve.org.

A VIP Experience

A limited VIP ticket option will be available, offering an exclusive, curated immersion into the farm’s land stewardship, orcharding, and artisanal practices ahead of the main event. Details and pricing to be announced.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available Now

The 8th Annual Farm to Table Dinner offers a variety of ways to align your brand with conservation, community, and one of New Jersey’s most distinctive culinary experiences. Sponsor recognition will reach an audience of more than 6,000 individuals across Somerset Hills and Morris County through event communications, social media, and press outreach. Long-standing, high-visibility sponsors have included community leaders such as Alstede Farms and River Bend Farm, whose support has helped strengthen the event's impact and reach.

To explore sponsorship, please contact Jayson Daniels development@schiffnaturepreserve.org or visit schiffnaturepreserve.org.

About Schiff Natural Lands Trust

Schiff Natural Lands Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of Schiff Nature Preserve in the Mendhams and Chester, New Jersey. Through education, community programming, and land protection, Schiff connects people with the natural world. To learn more, visit schiffnaturepreserve.org.

Contact: info@schiffnaturepreserve.org | 973-543-6004