Backer Farm in Mendham NJ Is Certified as River Friendly

The Backer family, who have lived in Mendham for over 90 years, currently raises beef, pork, and chicken on their farm, as well as fruits and vegetables.

Backer Farm began in 1927, when Richard & Jessie Backer purchased the 37 acres. Their son Fredrick and his older brother Joe loved farming right from the beginning. Joe started a dairy business and Fred joined him milking cows at a very early age. Joe & Fred expanded the business by building the dairy barn in 1954, along with the creamery where they bottled their own milk. In 1971 Fred & Joe decided to transition the dairy business into a horse boarding facility.

The Backer Farm is still run as a family business by Fred's Grandson, Derick and his family. The farm continues to grow as they still grow their own hay, vegetables and fresh eggs, as well as pasture raised meats. Backer farm also hosts a number of agricultural education classes for all ages. Along with the naturally grown produce, eggs, and pasture raised meats, they offer a wide range of delicious jarred products including salad dressings, pickles, jellies, jams, dips, salsa, and fruit butters. They now have expanded into Pick Your Pumpkins and Berries!!!

The River Friendly Farm Certification recognizes farmers who farm in ways that protect our local streams and rivers through responsible land management. The River Friendly Farm Certification provides a third party recognition that can demonstrate to customers and others a farmer’s commitment to conservation and environmentally sustainable agriculture.

Local nonprofit, North Jersey Resource Conservation & Development (NJRC&D) certifies farms that use best practices in protecting water resources. The certification is offered within the North Jersey RC&D focus area of Hunterdon, Somerset, Morris, Warren, Sussex and Union counties.

The voluntary program evaluates five areas of criteria on applicant farms: Soil Health: preventing erosion while building soil quality, Nutrient Management: using crop nutrients as efficiently as possible, Pest Management: preventing the spread of pests and reducing pesticide use, Farmstead Management: managing runoff and wastewater to prevent detrimental impact, and Water Conservation and Waterway Protection: existence of riparian buffers, livestock stream exclusions and irrigation water management.

More on the River Friendly Farm Certification and all certified farms can be found at www.riverfriendlyfarms.org.