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 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 64th 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.
And you can’t miss the fresh apple cider doughnuts, fresh from the oven every morning. Jersey apples will be the key ingredient in October’s Pie of the Month, apple cinnamon pie, Ebert says, which has a touch more cinnamon and brown sugar than their traditional apple pie.
They’re not just a produce stand, though. The farm entertains visitors with educational family attractions all year. This autumn, farm guests will enjoy the popular corn maze, a favorite of Ebert’s for more than 10 years.
All Hallows Eve Maze Adventure
Every year, Springdale Farms hosts a different themed corn maze. This year’s “Maize Quest” explores the history and lore of All Hallows Eve, with pictures, clues and games along the way.
The maze is primarily open on the weekends, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 3, though there are dates for Flashlight Fridays: Sept. 13, 20 and 27, and Oct. 4. 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 & Pumpkin Picking
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.
School groups can take a tour of the various crops while 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 guests 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. 28-29 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 consumed products. With this motivation, they’re continuing their tradition of charitable giving.
Springdale Farms works as a food drop-off location for Philabundance, the region’s largest hunger relief organization. In addition, the farm also supplies the Food Bank of South Jersey, part of Feeding America.
Guests who’d like to help are asked to donate 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 they’re interested in eating local and eating fresh, or they’re looking to reduce their carbon footprint, we’re here to help.”
Published (and copyrighted) in the Art of Living Well pull-out section of Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 4, Issue 7 (September, 2013).
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