Destination Sussex-a visitors guide to discovering the Bounty of Sussex County

You don't have to live here to call Sussex County...My HomeTown.
For generations, Sussex County NJ has been the place where great family memories were made. Family vacations, camping, skiing, reeling in the first "big catch", hiking, pumpkin picking, biking, the County Fair or maybe a visit to a local farm at Christmas time...Sussex County has a "hometown" place in the hearts of folks far outside Susssex County's boarders.

MY HOMETOWN, a NaturallySussex exclusive feature,  hopes to share the bounty of Sussex County and spread that feeling of "coming home" with all our county's visitors.

Beginning in  January 2012, the NaturallySussex crew has been heading out to all corners of Sussex County New Jersey in search of the unique history, heritage, agriculture, recreation and local businesses that make this community one terrific place to live AND visit. We post our photos to our NaturallySussex Facebook page along with some fun questions and hints before we reveal the location of our photos. You'll learn more about the our weekly discoveries at NaturallySussex.com (See My HomeTown). Throughout 2012 we'll be exploring the Bounty of Sussex County and are inviting you, our visitors and residents, to do the same by entering our monthly photo contests.
A new destination assignment will be posted each month along with the entry deadline. One winning entry will be selected and the winner will receive a prize package presented by NaturallySussex and local sponsors. The winning photo will become part of the My HomeTown feature and will be published with photo credits. 

As our discovery of the Bounty of Sussex County continues, we'll continue to add new locations and businesses to our DESTINATION SUSSEX online visitors guide. This online tool will guide you to to some our county's great places to eat, shop and explore. What a great way to get acquainted with our  local businesses-the folks who are the backbone of our community. 

We hope you'll use the guide to check out some new places and old favorites
and when they ask you how you heard about them...
please tell them NATURALLYSUSSEX sent you!

Don't forget to "like" NaturallySussex on Facebook. Get a "sneak preview" peak of MY HOMETOWN destinations and updates on all the NaturallySussex news.

We can't wait to see where the country roads of Sussex County will take us next! Glad you're coming along for the fun!

Birders take advantage of the mild weather and Head to Sussex County

When you head to Sussex County- You head home happy!

January has brought many days of exceptionally mild weather to Sussex County and has encouraged a migration to the great outdoors for hikers, bikers and birders who don't usually get to enjoy their favorite hobbies in January!

With miles and miles of trails and acres of state parks, Sussex County is a haven for outdoor recreation and year round enjoyment-but typically during the winter months, it's cross country skiers and ice skaters who are braving the elements to enjoy their favorite pass times. Not so this year.

Hiking, biking and riding trails throughout Sussex County have been dotted with visitors and birdwatchers who are usually spotted during the spring and fall bird migrations, have grabbed their binoculars and are headed to Northwest New Jersey. The beauty of the County's winterscape  has offered an added the bonus for birders- increased visibility. This is  making it easier to spot some feathered visitors who generally make a migration to the Jersey Shore, where food is more abundant this time of year.

Amazing photos are turning up on birding sites and even in the press and backyard birders are enjoying the activity around their birdfeeders.

Robert Sciarrino/The Star-Ledger captured this image. A Snowy Owl that has made the Merrill Creek Reservoir in Warren County her home for the past 7 weeks perches on a rocky slope by the reservoirs southern dam. Naturalist at the site say that the young female bird seems to be healthy and is feeding on what she catches in the area.

If you're a birding enthusiast or a backyard birder AND would like to share your birding photos, NaturallySussex.com invites you to email them to shopkeeper@naturallysussex.com. Include "Publish my bird photo" in the subject line of the email. If you photos is approved it will be added to our beautiful Sussex County photo gallery- a permanent feature on our website.
The photo must belong to you and have been taken in Sussex County.
We encourage young photographers to add their work BUT if you're under 18, we'll need a release form signed by your parent * see photo release section of our website
By submitting your photo, you are granting NaturallySussex the right to publish and use your photo on our site and in promotion. We'll always add photo credits to entries we use so be sure to include your name when sending us your favorite photos.

Sussex County's Sunshine™ begins its 2012 tour

Step out of the cold and into the warmth of Sussex County's Sunshine™ as the sunflower photo exhibit makes its first scheduled stop at the Sussex County Homestead-the county's senior residential facility located in Newton.

The 102 bed facility is home to life long Sussex County residents, many of whom are now unable to enjoy the farmlands and open space they enjoyed for years...So we're bringing a little bit of Sussex County's Sunshine™ to them!

The exhibit will be open to the public and will open with a public reception on January 10th 4:30 to 5:30pm. The exhibit will remain on display and open to the public through Jan 31st. Student and community groups are welcome to visit-simply call ahead to arrange the date and time. Individuals are welcome to stop by without prior arrangement.

The Sussex County's Sunshine™ sunflower photo exhibit is a spectacular community driven celebration of art and agriculture in our community. More than 75 beautiful framed photos and 230 digital images will be on display. Don't miss the opportunity to bask in the warmth-it will leave you glowing!

This exhibit is made possible through the generous support of our agricultural community, Dandelion Creative, LLC and proceeds from the sale of the keepsake publication. Books are available for purchase online at NaturallSussex.com and exhibit sponsorship opportunities are available  Contact shopkeeper@naturallysussex.com for more details.

Spread a little of Sussex County's Sunshine™ around the world! Sunflower photo contest 2011

naturallysussex.com

 Announcing the FIRST ANNUAL
 Sussex County's Sunshine™
Sunflower Photo Contest

sponsored by Brodhecker Farm
hosted by naturallysussex.com

 Sunflower fields are bursting into bloom all around Sussex County-delighting visitors and residents with amazing color and fantastic photo opportunities.
NaturallySussex.com wants to spread a little of that "Sussex County Sunshine™" across the world, and is inviting you to enter your favorite Sussex County New Jersey sunflower photos in this first annual Sunflower Photo Contest. Spread the beauty captured through your lens -enter your photos for FREE in the Online AND Print photo contest. Deadline for entries is October 15th-giving you lots of time to get out there! Prizes will be awarded for first place entries in the DIGITAL ONLINE and PRINT categories-Professionals and Amateurs are invited to participate. There's even a DIGITALLY ALTERED category for all those creative types! We can't wait to see what you come up with! Photos taken in 2010 or 2011 will be accepted- Sussex County locations only.

Here are more of the details:
ONLINE Gallery: The NaturallySussex.com Sunflower Photo Gallery will feature digital entries that depict Sussex County NJ sunflowers. Professional, Amateur AND Digitally Altered classes are open to Sussex County visitors and residents. 
Photos will be featured online in the NaturallySussex.com virtual gallery until December 31, 2011. Photos will be judged by an independent panel of judges.
Photo credits will be given for entries in the online gallery.

First place prizes (valued at more than $100.00) will be awarded for:
Digital Amateur-Digital Professional and Digitally Altered classes.
Email JPEG files and completed entry forms to shopkeeper@naturallysussex.com by October 15th. *see contest guidelines on the naturallysussex.com site.
This contest is open to the public-photos must have been taken in Sussex County 2010/2011.

 IT GETS EVEN BETTER!

NaturallySussex.com and sponsor Brodhecker Farm 
want to share your great print photos in a county-wide traveling exhibit thru 2012!

Prints up to 11"x14" will be accepted at Brodhecker Farm until Oct 15th.
Photos must be framed/ready-to-hang*wire hanger please

First place prizes will be awarded in the Print Professional, Print Amatuer and Print Digitally Altered classes. (First place prize valued at more than $100.00 )
A GRAND PRIZE (valued at more than $250.00) will be awarded for the best overall PRINT photo.
An exhibit of all print entries will be on display at Brodhecker Farm through December 31, 2011.
Opening date: November 12, 2011  An artist's reception will mark the opening of the exhibit.
The exhibit will travel throughout the county in 2012 beginning in January at the Homestead Nursing Home in Newton, NJ.

There's no limit to the number of photos you can enter and no fee to enter!
Photos can be submitted to the to both the Digital and Print Classes!
This give you lots of opportunities to share your great pictures.

Photos must  have been taken in Sussex County NJ - 2010 or 2011 photos are welcome
For more on the contest, rules, entry forms and prize details visit naturallysussex.com 's Community page and links.

The online Sunflower Photo Gallery is already OPEN for viewing- visit naturallysussex.com and check out some of the first entries received.

Sussex Naturally is  looking forward to seeing Sussex County Farmland through your lens.

NOT SURE WHERE TO FIND SUSSEX COUNTY SUNFLOWERS?
Here's a partial list of locations:
Route 565 N near the Skyland's Ball Field and across from Roseline's Bakery (30 acres + maze)
2 Branchville-Lawson Road Hampton Township (7 acres and viewing platform for panoramic view)
Route 94 across from Crystal Springs (Roadside view)

About to bloom:
Rt 15 Sparta (7 acres and viewing platform)
Rt 519 and Branchville- Lawson Road (10 acres)
*visit www.brodheckerfarm.com for a google map of Brodhecker fields

Why so much attention to Sunflowers?

The NJ Grown Black Oil Sunflowers are a cash crop for farmers and a recent addition to JERSEY GROWN.  After the spectacular bloom period, the sunflower heads "go to seed".
When fully matured, the seed heads are harvested, cleaned-dried and packaged and are available to consumers for use as wild birdseed.(check out the NJ Black Oil Sunflower Harvest video on YouTube).
Black Oil Sunflower seed is a favorite for wild birds and a number one choice product for bird enthusiasts. JERSEY GROWN Black Oil Sunflower seed was introduced across the state by NJ Audubon as part of their S.A.V.E. initiative. This is the second season Sussex County farmers are growing this crop for direct to the consumer sale.

This year, NJA introduced another S.A.V.E. brand product to the JERSEY GROWN-handcrafted bird feeders and bird houses made from White Cedar grown in the Garden State. NJA Birdfeeders and Birdhouses are available in the naturallysussex.com marketplace and at various retail and farm locations throughout the state.

NJ Audubon continues to build bridges between conservation and agriculture for the benefit of all NJ residents. Those who appreciate JERSEY GROWN products will be glad to know S.A.V.E. products are produced here in the Garden State. 
NJ Audubon has brought leadership, vision and innovation to the goal of preserving our natural resources and working in compliment with NJ Farmers to bring new products to the market.

Now that you know more about sunflowers-Grab your camera and get out there!
Sunflowers mature in several stages. Watch the fields as they come to full color and then mature to seed. Capture the beauty with your camera and be part of this fun-FREE- contest.
Sussex County's Sunshine Sunflower Photo Contest ® 2011 Dandelion Creative,LLC
Hosted by: naturallysussex.com
Sponsored by: Brodhecker Farm Newton 

naturallysussex.com reserves the right to make changes or cancel without notice
prizes packs may be subject to change
no cash substitutes for prozes

Sussex County Snowfall

The first snowfall of the season in Sussex County just missed the "White Christmas" mark but is being cheered on by skiers, snowboarders, photographers (and parents of children on winter holiday) just the same. Sussex County is all decked out in white as accumulations continue to blanket trees and landscape-creating a hushed stillness that makes you want to plop down and make a snow angel.

There's an unmistakable beauty to the natural beauty of our farmland, mountains and forests-but winter white enhances the landscape and creates a magical wonderland that simply takes your breath away.

Grab your camera, kids, skis, sleds and snowboards! Head to Sussex County...Head Home Happy!

A moment in time NJ State Fair snapshot

They say you can't rewind time-but Sussex County seems to have found a way to slow it down a bit-at least during the ten days of the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show/NJ State Fair. The Fair, held annually in the beginning of August, has a long heritage in the community. For the past seventy years,  the Sussex County agricultural community has set aside ten days to celebrate their heritage, showcase their accomplishments and come together to produce an event unlike any other-a County Fair rich in history, family entertainment and good old fashioned fun!

The Fair officially opens to the sound of a rooster crow which seems to magically cast a spell over the agricultural section of the Fairgrounds, transporting exhibitors,visitors, residents back to a time when life's rhythm, purpose and joy were far easier to discern and drink in.

With livestock barns filled with barn animals raised by local farm families and 4H club members, the Fairgrounds comes to life with a symphony of sound. The livestock and other 4H exhibits represent the best of the 4H members' project year. They're brought to the SC Fairgrounds in Augusta for exhibit, competition and pleasure. Chicken, sheep, cows, swine and goats that have been bred, born and raised by Sussex County 4H members are housed in several barn buildings which were erected thanks to the sweat equity, fundraising and careful management of generations past. The animals are shown in the livestock arena and judged by professional livestock judges throughout the week. Each species of farm animal are judged, awarded ribbons, trophies and premiums based on their quality, condition and breed characteristics as evaluated by the judge. After the Fair,  the animals return to the farm, where they will be cared for throughout the year. Some are bred to carry on or improve the overall quality of the farm's livestock production.
To the young exhibitors, the Fair is a culmination of a year's effort. 4H-er's are delighted to compete, learn, showcase and improve in their project area-with an eye on next year's event.  Anticipation of participating with their club members in "The Fair" offers a sometimes needed "incentive" to rise to the challenge of early morning feedings, barn cleaning and icy winter days-when it would be much nicer to stay snug under the covers.

Seasoned agriculturalists also have the opportunity to compete in equestrian events, grain and forage exhibits, flower and vegetable competitions, baking and canning competitions and more. Traditional and modern Home Ec. exhibits like: crafting, quilting and needle work round out the offerings in the Richards building- a large building erected for showcasing the talents of the community. Visitors have the additional opportunity to view and purchase photography and art submitted by community residents who capture the essence and beauty of Sussex County through their art. Many professional photographers and artists call Sussex County home. The diverse natural beauty of the region is a constant source of inspiration to those with creative talent.

The Fair ended on Sunday August 15th with a long overdue rain. As I made my way back to the field where I had parked my car, my attention was drawn to a young dad and his daughter. These Dairy exhibitors seemed impervious to the rainfall as they headed to the livestock trailer carrying trophies and tack. The young girl's blonde ponytail swung in synchronized motion to the tail of the young black and white calf trailing behind her on a lead.  I caught up to the trio in time to overhear her animated monologue about her time in the arena as her dad patiently listened and to hear his recollection of when, as a boy, he and his siblings showed their livestock at the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show. In that moment, as the rain fell on the pair, time paused and life and family was once what is used to be-they say all things change...but for a moment it was refreshing to know some things don't have to.

We live in a crazy, high-speed world that is too often chaotic and demanding. The pressures of the day don't escape farmers and their family, in fact, they can be more impactful in some ways. But wise folk know that heritage, roots and tradition can't be substituted or replaced-it's a treasure, a legacy and something worth preserving.
Thank you to the Sussex County Agricultural Community and residents for your community spirit, volunteer hours and passion. For seventy years your efforts to present an event that preserves our agricultural heritage and showcase the best of community and human spirit are a much needed and appreciated gift to fellow residents and visitors alike.

Sussex Naturally writer and founder of Dandelion Creative Marketing and Creative Services Group,  Nancy Hreha, has been a long time exhibitor, supporter and active participant in the NJ State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show.  She is a strong advocate of agriculture in New Jersey and specializes in agrimarketing and agritourism.

 Sussex County's Best
Sussex County Board of Agriculture /Plant a Row for the Hungry initiative. The farming community has undertaken the initiative to join with the local gardening community in an effort to "take a bite out of local hunger".
But what inspires gardeners to want to join with in this effort? Sussex Naturally wanted to know who's participating and why...the SCBOA website sussexcountyboardofagriculture.org had the answers we were looking for.



Sussex County gardeners are seeing a great return for their efforts this year-and for avid gardener, Keith Hopler, it has truly been an extraordinary season.

submitted photo: Sussex Co gardeners enjoy a great season

The Frankford resident has been actively practicing sustainable food production for many years and has expanded his garden in size and variety to supply a full growing season of delicious veggies. Keith traditionally shares a great deal of the produce from his lush garden with friends,associates and neighbors. While he enjoys eating the fresh produce, he also cans and preserves much of his seasonal harvest for his personal use throughout the rest of the year. But "sharing the bounty" is one of the best rewards for his efforts and long hours in the garden.

This year, Keith has some new neighbors to share with. Through his participation in the Sussex County Board of Agriculture's Plant a Row for the Hungry initiative he's already presented a wide variety of fresh greens to HARVEST HOUSE in Sussex earlier this season. With an anticipated bumper crop of tomatoes reaching their maturity within the next few weeks- Keith sees this as another great opportunity to "help take a bite our of local hunger-by sharing with a neighbor in need". He's already planning additional PLANT A ROW donations as the harvest season progresses.

Usually,Keith like many other Sussex County gardeners and farmers, likes to keep his giving and sharing a more private matter. However he's allowed us to help celebrate his garden success- and his Plant A Row sharing- in hopes of inspiring and encouraging other gardeners to do the same.

"I have always loved to garden", Keith said, "And have always found there's been more than enough for my table-cupboard and to share. It's a great feeling to know you're helping someone out...simply by doing what you love to do!"

Frankford Township resident, Keith Hopler (Left )makes a garden harvest donation to HARVEST HOUSE in Sussex.