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.

Sunflower Alert! Brodhecker Farm reports the first of three fields in bloom

They're finally here!
Brodhecker Farm
2 Branchville-Lawson Road
Newton, New Jersey

Last year, thousands of people stopped along the Route 15 roadside to drink in the nature's beauty as seven acres of sunflowers burst into color. Hundreds more visited the seven acre farm field.  Brodhecker Farm welcomes visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature's colorful display at the farm location again this year as the first of the 2011 sunflower crop has come into full bloom. Ample parking has been made available right at the farm. A short stroll along the edge of the field brings visitors to the best viewing/photo vantage point. A viewing platform is in place for your convenience. The farm is open seven days a week. See the website for farm hours and location.

Brodhecker Farm plants and harvests the sunflower crop for their wild bird birdseed product. Sold in conjunction with NJ Audubon and under the Brodhecker Birdseed label, the sunflower seed is available to customers at the farm store location throughout the year. 


Seven acres of sunflowers were planted at the Hampton Township farm earlier this season. An additional 17 acres were planted at the same time in two additional locations, however, a devastating crop failure necessitated a complete replanting of those  fields. This pushed back the time line on bloom and harvest for this important cash crop. 

Farmers face many challenges. Even the best thought out plans can be impacted by unanticipated events which could devastate harvest and a  farmer's bottom line. Field crop failure in New Jersey -where the growing season is quite specific- can cause tremendous economic loss.

In an attempt to recover the initial 17 acre loss, Brodhecker Farm replanted  fields in both locations and hoped their additional efforts would prove successful. It seems they have. Acres of sunflower heads appear just about ready to open. Within a few weeks, Sussex County will be treated to an encore performance of Mother Nature's best! Later this fall-barring any significant weather or wildlife damage-Brodhecker's will harvest an abundance of seed for their bird seed line.


Sussex Naturally will keep you posted on the progress and the location of the two upcoming bloom events. For now, enjoy the spectacular "show" right at the farm. Please remember that the flowers are intended as a cash crop. Enjoy the beauty, but don't pick the flowers!.

Naturally Sussex Marketplace-First to offer NJAS Jersey Grown Bird Feeders online!

Naturally Sussex  is excited to announce the opening of the online market with some fantastic locally produced and "made especially for Naturally Sussex" products including our newest product line in cooperation with New Jersey Audubon Society- just in time for one of the key birding seasons in Sussex County NJ!
Sussex County is a key area for migratory birds and home to an amazing variety of winged species.
The timing of this special product just couldn't be better for novice or experienced birders to enjoy the wonder of nature without wandering far from home!


NJAS has a long reputation for innovative solutions to bridging the needs of environment, farmers and consumers. The most recent addition to the S.A.V.E. product line is one we're proud to offer on line to our customers- Jersey Grown, White Cedar handcrafted wild bird feeders and bluebird houses-designed by the people who know wild birds!

White Cedar is one of New Jersey's best woods. Harvested under careful forest stewardship practices, the white cedar is milled and then hand crafted into these great products enjoyed by back yard birders and wild birds alike.  We love that the raw materials and construction talent is totally New Jersey- Naturally Sussex appreciates the innovative solutions and dedication to natural resource management and stewardship which are part and parcel of NJAS-best of all we love that we're able to offer you the opportunity to be part of the solution in protecting, enjoying and preserving our Garden State treasures-the diverse wildlife, natural resources and habitats which are key to the quality of life in New Jersey.

Congratulations to New Jersey Audubon on another great contribution to the S.A.V.E. product line.

Visit the Marketplace for more products, details and shopping where the bounty of Sussex County is delivered to your door~

Meet Glemnalure Farm-Grass fed beef, lamb and naturally raised pork

photo layout Union Green

When Glenmalure Farm's owner Pat Kelly reflects on his life -long connection to agriculture he sums up his passion with a quote from the famous movie, Gone With The Wind..."It's all about the land" he says,"once you're in touch with the land, it's hard to leave it." But as is sometimes the case, life can lead in different directions before bringing you home to where your heart has always been.

In 1969 Pat came to the US from his native Ireland, and after serving two years in the military began a career in the wholesale food, dairy and organic industry serving the New York market. After a long career in the food industry, Pat retired from the NY market together with his wife Peggy, moved to Sussex Co and to Glenmalure Farm. A successful ag operation depends on many things- selecting management style and product to fill a market niche are factors to consider.
Adaptability is another factor key to agricultural viability. Successful development of new product offerings, constructing a management system that efficiently addresses the many cycles of livestock production-minimizing the work load and maximize productivity are as well.

Pat's background was a great benefit in these areas and developing an early understanding that working with the forces of nature will always require flexibility on the part of the farmer. While Pat and Peggy appreciate flexibility, there is one thing that is inflexible in the Glenmalure Farm operation...producing the highest quality grass and pasture raised livestock meats from livestock "naturally raised as nature intended".

Pat's experience with farming began overseas on the family farm in Wicklow/Carlow -a rural community on the east coast of Ireland.Pat and his twelve brothers and sisters were raised on the 100 acre farmstead which was an intimate part of his childhood and a strong influence on the management system practices used at Glenmalure Farm today. The farm family produced and sold milk and dairy products in addition to farming several hundred additional acres which were put into crop production. The practice of leasing land for farming is often referred to as con-acred farming.

The Kelly family raised "strictly grass fed" dairy and meat animals and implemented, traditional farming practices for their livestock production. That heritage is kept alive today at Glemalure Farm, Sussex County where Pat insists on of "grass- fed- only", beef and lamb, and strives to create a natural setting for the animals to range, graze and well-"do what they were designed by nature to do". Hogs raised on the farm are are managed in a style that supplies sufficient nutrition for good health and growth through a natural diet and grain supplement.

While these management standards often require more labor, planning and effort, Glenmalure Farm strongly believes that investing this time, energy and care to the meat product they produce pays off in the long run, returning improved animal vigor and flavorful,quality meat products for their customers.

Glenmalure Farm puts the same value of tradition on the manner and method by which their meats are processed. After much research, the family chose to work exclusively with a processing facility that practices traditional smoking and meat processing. Though curing, smoking and preparing the beef and pork in this way may take a bit longer, for the folks at Glenmalure, the wait is well worth it. Their individually wrapped and frozen meat cuts are sold directly to the consumer from the farm's on site shop. The shop is currently open on Friday and Saturdays from 10 - 2pm or by appointment-customers can call 862 268 4389 to make arrangements.

Glenmalure Farm is also a regular vendor at the Sussex County Farmer's Market from March through October. There, customers can select their favorite cuts of beef and pork and stock up on duck and pasture raised poultry products. Pat or Peggy are always on hand to share more information about the farm and their Grass Fed management system.

Natural and pasture raised management of livestock requires patience and planning. Pat and Peggy apply that same measure of patience to the growth and expansion of their farm business- carefully planing and putting into place all the elements necessary to create a successful, protected, natural environment for livestock. Plans to expand 2011 product offerings from Glenmalure Farm include expansion of their poultry and duck production, eggs and possibly rabbit. The farm also offers local honey and spring lamb.

Sussex Naturally congratulates Glenmalure Farm on developing their successful naturally raised, grass fed operation in Frankford, NJ  and looks forward to hearing more about their upcoming ventures in 2011.