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Cherry
Hill's Last Remaining Farm Thrives in Suburbia
In 1931, 82 farms dominated the Cherry Hill (formerly Delaware
Township) landscape, and Springdale Road was a dirt country
lane. It's now the 21st century, and Springdale Farm is the
last remaining farm in Cherry Hill. Since 1949, Sprindale
has been harvesting Jersey Fresh products from its 67-acre
spread and selling their bounty in the retail farm market.
Because suburban sprawl has distanced people from agriculture,
Springdale initiated agricultural education sessions 20 years
ago, to allow urban and suburban students to visit a working
family farm where they are exposed to hands-on learning about
agriculture. Springdale is one of the few New Jersey farms
to offer educational sessions throughout the year. The spring
and summer seasons provide for walking tours of the greenhouse
to learn 'where it all begins,' followed by a wagon ride through
the farm to learn what is happening in the fields. Summer
and fall wagon rides include farm stops at various in-season
crops to learn the various planting, growing and harvesting
management practices. Students also have the opportunity to
get first-hand experience at harvesting in-season strawberries,
cherry tomatoes, green beans or pumpkins.
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