Circle Brook Farms
Farmer John
John Krueger owner/operator of Circle Brook Farm, grows high quality organic vegetables for about 700 members in 12 CSA groups and 3 area farmer’s markets. John is now the proud new owner of Circle Brook Farm, an 80 acre farm in Andover Twp that includes a large old farm house where John lives and houses farm workers, and a large barn. The barn is the center of operations; it houses 2 walk-in coolers and serves as packing house, mechanic shop and lunch room, among other functions. John has begun to transition Circle Brook Farm into organic production and is anxious to begin planting fruit trees and bushes and slowly expand into production of eggs and other grass fed animal products. Meanwhile John also leases several acres of fertile organic land on Goodhand Farm adjacent to Circle Brook Farm and several more acres of organic land in nearly Allamuchy.
John has a grand vision of a diversified and integrated farm, something akin to the typical small farm of 100 years ago, except with the cutting edge techniques and materials available in the 21st century. He looks forward to creating a sustainable operation, producing nutritious food for as many folks as possible with a minimum of external inputs- one of many emerging “model farms” that are leading the way as we learn to farm for the future. More than this, he hopes the farm will be a place for CSA members and market customers to visit, a place to bring their children to show them the source of their food and teach them about farming.
John hosts at least one farm event when members can visit the farm. John also has member groups in Caldwell, Jersey City, Metuchen, Millburn, Morristown, Newark, and Westfield, NJ, as well as one on Staten Island.
John Krueger of Circle Brook Farm, 973-332-6935 Kruegerjohn@earthlink.net
Tree-licious Orchards
Ginger and James
Tree-licious Orchards is keeping a family tradition of farming alive for its 7th generation. Located in western New Jersey, alongside a stop on the old Morris Canal, the orchard produces many varieties of fruit, both heritage varieties and new hybrids.
Ed and Carol Kesler purchased this working farm back in the 1980s as a place to raise both a family and the proper food to feed them. The well-drained hillsides are perfect for fruit trees, and they reminded Ed of his childhood home in West Virginia “hollers.” Carol got a chance to bring her childhood memories to life when she opened Just Made Bakery in October 1997 and started using the recipes with which she grew up.
The family tradition continues with their son and daughter. James, manages the day-to-day farm operations, greeting and guiding the “pick-your-own” visitors. Ginger coordinates CSA activities, special bulk orders and and works at local farmers markets each week to spread the word about good, local food. They strive to bring the most current methods of low-impact farming, like integrated pest management, to the task of preserving the best-tasting traditional varieties of apples, peaches, plums, pears, apricots, and cherries.
Ginger Kessler-Carlson of Tree-licious Orchards and Just Made Bakery, 908-852-7191, treeliciousorchards@gmail.com.