Anyone with photos or comments of the event can email them to webmaster@sjrcd.org

On Saturday, September 11, 2010, 257 bike riders enjoyed a beautiful day in the country riding from farm stand to farm stand, buying locally produced farm items from Burlington County farms, most of which are preserved.

"We design bike routes that pass by local farm stands, where riders can buy produce using farm bucks. We then pick up the produce and bring it back to the ride start, the Allen Museum" stated Ken Taaffe, event coordinator.

Jack Sworaski, SJRCD Council Chair comments:

This bike ride supports the South Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council's goal to promote local agriculture and farmland preservation. At the same time it supports local farmers and. open space. "Bicyclists get a chance to talk to local farmers, buy local nutritious produce and see what their open space dollar bought" states Jack Sworaski, Council chair.

Major Sponsor Budds K-n-P Farms - Kenny & Reneè comment:

"We really enjoy Tour des Farms and introducing riders to our farm market, even though we are not a preserved farm. Budds K-n-P Farm has been in the Budd family since 1668 and we have no intention of any future land development." states Kenny Budd, owner Budds K-n-P Farms. "The riders are out having fun, which makes our day. I plan to sponsor the ride next year, because I support any activity that promotes agriculture."

Kenny and Reneè also sponsored a seed guessing contest at their farm. Riders were invited to guess the number of corn, lima beans, squash, and turnip seeds in a mason jar. The rider who guessed closest without going over received a $25 gift certificate to Budds K-n-P Farms and Country Market. Take a look at the jars and make your guess.

[Hint: Mouse over the Seed Jars.]

"We heard only praise and positive comments from the participants" continued Kenny. “The riders had a great time this year with our "guess the number of seeds" contest.  We had 4 winners, each receiving a $25 gift certificate to use at our Farm Market & Country Kitchen."  Reneè added the "Riders enjoyed their day in the country and many returned to our farm after the ride to enjoy lunch, ice cream and continue their shopping.”

Rider comments:

	"Riding through the beautiful Burlington County farm areas with outstanding  weather was great. Supporting local farmers, obtaining some great produce which was delivered to you car at the finish of the ride, it doesn't get any better than that! Well maybe it could if there were a nice glass of New Jersey wine at the end of the ride!" -- Ray Samulis Right: Karin & Ray Samulis examine a Raw Revolution Organic Live Food Bar
	"This was an interesting and educational ride. Usually I'm passing through the area on one of the main roads just trying to make time. I had no idea there was such a large amount of excellent farmland, and farmers, to be seen by taking the backroads. I'll be back again next year." -- Ray Mueller

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 over $1200 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 close to $4000 of direct farm sales. In addition, farm markets saw many 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.

South Jersey RC&D Council and Burlington County worked together to organize this event. "Burlington County has been a great partner. They provide the SAG wagon, the sheriff officers, and more," said Jack Sworaski, SJRC&D Council Chair. "These same SAG wagons bring back the produce and pick up tired riders." Right: Loaded SAG Wagon returning produce to the Jack Allen Museum.

"Just as important" continued Sworaski, "are the volunteers and local USDA employees. It takes around 30 people to run this event on the ride day. Twenty of these are people are true volunteers. We would be lost without them."