Looking Back at Tour des Farms

The first annual South Jersey Tour des Farms on Saturday, September 8th saw close to 200 bicycle riders enjoying a warm sunny day. Tour des Farms is a unique bike ride. Riders visit farms along a given route and may purchase produce using coupons called Farm Bucks. Produce purchases are later returned to the starting point by Burlington County using SAG wagons. The rider then continues their leisurely ride through some of New Jersey’s most beautiful farmland.

The event was sponsored jointly by the South Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council and Burlington County. Three (13, 25, and 50 mile) different routes starting at the Jack Allen Early Country Living Museum in Vincentown were available. The 13 mile ride through Southampton and Lumberton townships included two organic farms and a cranberry bog. The 25 mile route traveled through Southampton and Springfield townships. This route visited vegetable stands, the Homestead Nursery, and the Good grain farm. 50 mile riders went as far as the Russo farm by the Mercer County line in Chesterfield Township. The Hlubik farm, Strawberry Hill Farm, and Kuser’s Community Supported Agriculture Farm were also possible stops.

To encourage riders to buys items at the farm markets, each rider was given five farm bucks worth $1 each at the route farms. Local farm markets collected $785 of farm bucks and benefited from riders digging into their own wallets to buy items. The South Jersey RC&D Council believes that the ride generated around $1300 of direct farm sales on Saturday. In addition, farm markets saw close to 200 new clients, which may lead to additional future sales. Riders purchased an assortment of farm products including sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, watermelons, peaches, apples, pies, mums, cut flowers, and shrubs.

Numerous families enjoyed the ride. Denise Munns stated, “We enjoyed having an event the whole family could participate in that gave us some exercise and the opportunity to view area farms and purchase farm fresh produce.”

“This was really a good idea [riding and purchasing produce],” said Pat Alvino, who rode with husband Tom and friend, Ann Obeldobel. “I’m just looking all around, because when you drive, it’s not the same,” said Ann Obeldobel.

South Jersey RC&D Council and Burlington County worked together to organize this event. The Council’s main goal was to promote local agriculture. “It has been a great day and satisfying event,” said Jack Sworaski, SJRC&D Council Chair. “I definitely think we have provided an enjoyable family activity that raises public awareness of South Jersey’s agricultural industry and the need to protect and preserve this cherished resource. Our hope is that the Tour becomes well established.” Jack went on to say, ”We especially thank our volunteers and fellow Council members, who all pitched in”.

Think Globally. Eat Locally.

Support your local Farms.

Burlington County similarly supports local agriculture. As the New Jersey County with the most acreage of farm preserved lands, the County wanted to highlight its farm preservation program. All but one of the eleven route farms participate in the farm preservation program. Burlington County Freeholder, Bill Haines stated “Burlington County has preserved over 25,000 acres of farmland, more then any other county in the state. Still, preserving farms is just one part of the farm preservation program. We also promote, encourage, and actively participate in programs like South Jersey Tour des Farms that help the local farm economy. When the South Jersey RC&D Council approached me about this program, I directed them to Joyce Goldsmith our Division of Cultural Affairs and Tourism Coordinator.”

Joyce and Ken Taaffe, the South Jersey RC&D Coordinator, then organized the event. The County provided SAG wagons with drivers to pick up tired riders “sagging” behind. These SAG wagons also collected the purchased produce from area farms. The county also created and printed professional quality route maps, and event brochures. They also publicized the event with news releases in area papers and their own “County Bell”. The Council designed the Routes, contacted area farmers, recruited patrons, designed brochures, fliers, and a Tour des Farms webpage, along with marking the Route. They also recruited a team of volunteers to assist with the event. Many of these volunteers are highlighted on the Council’s Volunteer page and the Tour des Farms Photo Gallery.

One such volunteer Rebecca French-Mesch said. “I feel it was a success - not just with the mass of people who rode, but providing public awareness. Events like this are a great way to meet new people while having fun.”

"Indeed!" stated SJRC&D Nick Cassetta, “Everyone I spoke to enjoyed themselves. So, my vote is for the Council to have another ride next year with the same partners, Burlington County and the Jack Allen Museum.”