Family and friends say we are "crazy to purchase a farm with all that work". We call it a "labor of love". In 2005, we purchased an 18 acre farm in Long Valley, NJ on the top of beautiful Schooley's Mountain.

What were we thinking ... college tuition, teenage drivers, a house to renovate, fields that needed desperate attention, and a barn in bad shape - how our lives will change.

But we saw a wonderful opportunity! We were going to live a healthier lifestyle naturally by raising our own fresh brown eggs, beef, pork, vegetables, herbs and cut flowers.

We have made many improvements while working full time jobs:

• Summer 2007 - opened roadside stand
• Fall 2007 - added our own pork and fresh eggs
• Fall 2008 - added our own beef
• Summer 2009 - opened our farm market and our first farmers market
• Spring 2010 - increased product line - networking with family farms
• Summer 2010 - Helen manages farm full time & added small group farm tours

"With a loving family and a passion for farming, dreams do come true"!

Bill and Helen McLaughlin