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Springdale Farms

by Michaelangelo Ilagan
Autumn falls upon Cherry Hill

Not only has John Ebert lived on the Springdale Farms property since he was born, but his lifelong passion for the family business has deep roots. Though hard to imagine now, Cherry Hill’s sprawling homes, schools, shopping and various attractions were all once farms, orchards and pastures for lifestyles that reflected much more of a rural personality. Among them, Ebert’s family-run farm was thriving.

Today, as Cherry Hill’s last remaining working farm, Springdale Farms continues its strong tradition into its 62nd year, Ebert says. All year, the 100-acre farm attracts hundreds of customers and is a popular destination for patrons to purchase fresh, seasonal produce—like herbs, lettuces, peppers, eggplants, corn and 12 varieties of Jersey tomatoes—as well as breads, cakes, muffins and seasonal pies baked daily. Fresh Jersey tomatoes will be the key ingredient in September’s Pie of the Month, tomato pie, Ebert says.

They’re not just a produce stand, though. The farm entertains visitors with educational and family attractions throughout the year. This autumn, farm guests will enjoy the popular corn maze, a favorite of Ebert’s for more than 10 years.

“Road to Freedom” Corn Maze
If viewed from the air, Springdale’s corn maze this year reveals the image of a patriotic bald eagle. And while inside its nearly three acres, maze-goers will come across a variety of puzzles to solve, while learning about our nation’s history for a roughly hour-long adventure. “The theme is primarily about the colonial period as it pertains to the Philadelphia-area … notes of interest, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and more,” Ebert says.

The maze is primarily open on the weekends, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Though, there are dates for Flashlight Fridays: Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30 and Oct. 7. For this unique and exciting experience of the corn maze, visitors are required to bring their own flashlights.

Tickets will be $10 for teenagers and adults aged 13 and up and $8.50 for kids ages 4 through 12. Guests 16 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Supervision is limited to five children/young teens for every adult.

Each of Springdale’s attractions is suitable for visitors of any age. The farm is excited to be moving into its most popular season and treating guests with additional activities such as the corn maze and hayrides.

Hayrides at Springdale Farms
Springdale’s weekend hayrides include a “quick pick” stopping off at the pumpkin patch where guests can handpick the pumpkins they’d like to take back with them and purchase at the end of the ride. During the week, the hayrides are more educational in nature, Ebert says.

Various school groups can take a tour of the various crops, while Springdale staff explains more about each vegetable and the farming and harvesting involved. This season, the groups will stop and learn about broccoli, cabbage, lettuces and corn.

For adult groups of 20 or more, nighttime rides include a two hour excursion, ending with a campfire where guest will roast marshmallows or grill hotdogs on an open flame under the nighttime sky. Private parties taking place under the outdoor tent, patio areas or in the beautiful glass conservatory can also hop on these hayrides as a unique closing to any special occasion.

Discovering Together
All that Springdale Farms has to offer will culminate in a weekend-long Fall Festival, in partnership with The Garden State Discovery Museum.

Visitors to the farm on Sept. 24-25 will be allowed access to the best of what both destinations have to offer. For a single ticket, admission will be granted to either location for hayrides, the corn maze, a petting zoo, pony rides, pumpkin picking/painting, and all the museum’s exhibits and activities.

Hunger Relief in the Delaware Valley
The farm has a commitment to locally produced and locally consumed products. With this motivation, they’re continuing their tradition of charitable giving through local organizations.

Springdale Farms works as a food drop-off location for Philabundance, the region’s largest hunger relief organization. In addition, the farm also supplies South Jersey Food Bank, part of Feeding America.

Guests who’d like to help are asked to donate any fresh fruits and vegetables that are left over from store purchases or extras grown in home gardens. The donations can be dropped off at the farm on Saturdays before noon.

“We’ve always pushed for people to be interested in their food,” Ebert says. “We sell everything we grow on our farm right here from our market. Whether from being interested in eating local and eating fresh, to the reduction of their carbon footprint, we’re here to help.

Springdale Farms
1638 S. Springdale Road
Cherry Hill
(856) 424-8674
SpringdaleFarms.com
springdalefarms@juno.com

Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 7 (September, 2011).
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