ABOUT THE FARM
Nested on 80 acres of permanently preserved New Jersey farmland, Chickadee Creek is a model of sustainable and community-anchored agriculture.
Jess Niederer started Chickadee Creek Farm in 2010 with a little rented land, borrowed equipment, and a lot of determination, hope, and energy.
What began as a young woman's dream to take care of people and the environment in equal parts became a sustainable business. As Chickadee Creek Farm grew, more people with the same passion for community and planet were attracted to the farm.
Today, Chickadee Creek Farm has increased its acreage, fertility, and yields all while maintaining a commitment to sustainable, community agriculture.
Expertise
Demonstrating years of farming knowledge in every aspect of our agricultural practices.
Authenticity
Upholding honesty and transparency by fostering genuine connections with our community and customers.
Fairness
Ensuring equitable treatment for our team.
Quality
Guaranteeing the highest standards of taste and nutrition in all the produce we grow.
Sustainability
Committing to environmentally responsible farming methods for the well-being of future generations.
The Land
For many years, the Niederer family grew wheat, soybeans, and hay on their 80-acre farm on Titus Mill Road in Pennington, NJ.
In 2010, when Jess Niederer started Chickadee Creek Farm on a small plot of family farmland, she immediately began using organic practices to grow vegetables. All of Chickadee Creek's practices and farmland are inspected by and follow the rules of the National Organic Program. In July of 2012, organic certification began for the first five acres. Today, Chickadee Creek Farm is 100% Certified Organic.
Hopewell Valley Roots
The Niederer family has been farming in the Hopewell Valley since 1910, following their immigration from Switzerland. The family ran a dairy farm in Titusville, NJ, and became most well-known for inventing the Egomatic, a machine that graded and sorted eggs.
Chickadee Creek Farm would probably not exist if Jess's grandmother, Marion, had not preserved the land so that it can never be developed.
Land Acknowledgement
The land that we farm is part of the traditional territory of the Lenni-Lenape, called “Lenapehoking.” The Lenape People lived in this territory for thousands of years. During the colonial era and early federal period, many were removed west and north, but some also remain among the continuing historical tribal communities of the region. We acknowledge the Lenni-Lenape as the original people of this land and their continuing relationship with their territory. We recognize the continued presence of Lenape people in their homeland despite a painful history of oppression, enslavement, and stolen land, we recognize the historical aspiration of the great Lenape Chief Tamanend, that there be harmony between the indigenous people of this land and the descendants of the immigrants to this land, “as long as the rivers and creeks flow, and the sun, moon, and stars shine.”
A simple land acknowledgment is not enough action. Please take the time to learn more here.
WHAT WE GROW
What we grow changes depending on the season. We grow a wide variety of items including:
Strawberries, snap peas, spinach, beans, beets, arugula, fennel, kale, lettuce, salad mix, sassy salad mix, baby ginger, peppers, potatoes, brussel sprouts, onions, garlic, cabbage, scallions, swiss chard, pea shoots, squash, boc choy, winter squash, summer squash, carrots, raspberries, blackberries, tomatoes tomatoes tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, rutabaga, ground cherries, watermelon, cantaloupe, zucchini, eggplant, radishes, collard greens, asparagus, sweet potatoes, sweet turnips, mustard, tatsoi, watermelon radishes, daikon radishes, zinnias, sunflowers, snapdragons, and a dozen more field flower varieties....
Check out the seasons for each item below!
Fruit & Berries
| Fruits & Berries | Early | Most Abundant | Late |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Cherries | Jul 15 | Late July-Aug 31 | Sep 15 |
| Watermelon | Jul 10 | July 15 – Aug 15 | Sept. 1 |
| Cantaloupe Melons | Jul 1 | July 15 – Aug 1 | Aug 15 |
| Strawberries | May 20 | June 1 – June 10 | Jun 25 |
Vegetables
| Vegetables | Early | Most Active | Late |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beets | 1-Jun | July 1 – Oct. 31 | Nov. 30 |
| Boc Choy | 15 May, 15 Oct | Jun 1 – Jun 30, Oct 20 -Dec 1 | 25-Dec |
| Brussel Sprouts | Oct 15 | Oct 30 – Dec 25 | Jan |
| Cabbage | Jun 1 | June 10 – Oct. 31 | Nov. 15 |
| Carrots | 1 Jun, 1 Oct | Jun 15 – July 1, Oct 15 – Nov 30 | Dec 25 |
| Cauliflower | Sept. 1 | Oct. 5 – Nov. 20 | Dec. 5 |
| Collards | May 15 | Aug. 20 – Oct. 31 | Nov. 20 |
| Cucumbers | Jun 25 | July 5 – Aug. 15 | Sept. 15 |
| Eggplant | Jul 10 | July 20 – Sept. 30 | Oct. 15 |
| Fennel | Jun 1 | Jun 15 – July 1 | 15-Jul |
| Garlic | July 15 – Oct. 31 | ||
| Lettuce and Spring Mixes: Late Spring | May 15 | May 20 – July 15 | Aug. 31 |
| Lettuce: Early Fall | Sept. 1 | Sept 15. – Nov. 15 | Dec 25 |
| Onions | Jun 25 | June 25 – July 31 | Sept. 30 |
| Peas | May 20 | June 15 – June 25 | 5-Jul |
| Peppers | Jul 5 | July 15 – Oct. 31 | Nov. 5 |
| Potatoes | Jul 10 | July 20 – Sept. 30 | Oct. 15 |
| Pumpkins | Sept. 15 | Oct. 1 – Oct. 15 | Oct. 31 |
| Snap Beans | Jun 10 | June 20 – July 20 | Aug. 31 |
| Squash | Jun 15 | June 25 – Sept. 1 | Sept. 30 |
| Spinach | Apr 15 | May 5 – June 25 | Jun 30 |
| Sweet Potatoes | Oct – Nov | ||
| Tomatoes | Jul 5 | July 10 – Sept. 15 | Oct. 15 |
| Winter Squash | Sept 15 – Nov 30 |
Other
| Other | Early | Most Active | Late |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flowers and Herbs | Jul 1 | July 15 – Sept. 15 | Oct. 1 |