Stay connected, stay informed

As a mild winter led to a relatively warm and mild Spring, the urge to cook and eat with fresh vegetables and fruit comes well before the first crop of asparagus shoots up through the ground. Fortunately, a warm Spring has brought extended strawberry seasons and has brought on an early and abundant blueberry crop, The Summer crop of delicious corn and tomatoes looks to also be abundant. Organizers of local farmers markets have also been looking forward to opening to offer market shoppers plenty of options. 

The Bordentown City Farmers Market opened on June 11  and will continue Sundays from 9:00am – 1:00pm into October at the Carlslake Community Center, 207 Crosswicks Street in Bordentown. This market offers live music, local artisans,  fresh flowers, beer and wine tastings as well as the regular fare of fresh and locally grown fruits and vegetables. Like the Bordentown City Farmers Market Facebook page and you can get a list of vendors who are participating each week. 

Mansfield Farmers Market will begin its third year on Thursday, June 29, from 6:00pm-7:30pm and will continue with markets monthly on the third Thursday of each month through the end of September. This Market is held at the Mansfield Township Community Park,  24594E Main Street in Columbus. This market will also offer locally grown produce, homemade foods, and handmade goods. Follow their Facebook page at Mansfield Farmers Market to get a list of vendors attending each market. Vendors who would like to participate should send an email of interest to mansfieldspecialevents@gmail.com 

Burlington City has a weekly Food Truck and Farmers Market on Tuesdays, 4:00pm-dusk. In addition to a variety of food trucks, this farmers market offers local fresh produce, live entertainment and free outdoor activities. The farmers market is located on Main Street in Burlington but there are also activities along the Delaware riverfront along the Riverfront Promenade. For more information go to 

greaterburlingtonchamber.org and go to the events tab.

Burlington County also holds a farmers’ market at the Burlington County Agricultural Center at 500 Centerton Road in Moorestown on Saturdays from 8:30am-1:00pm. The Burlington County Farmers’ Market has been open since early May. This market also offers live music, locally grown produce, homemade foods and handmade goods from local artisans. You can follow their vendors on the Burlington County Farmer’s Market Facebook page.  For further information on their events send an interest email to farmmarket@co.burlington.nj.us. 

The Forest Resource Education Center, located at 495 Don Connor Boulevard, Jackson, N.J. holds regular events to help with tuning into nature for individuals and groups. All programs are held outdoors so attendees should dress for the weather. Registration is free but required. Cancellations are requested if you register and can not attend. 

Upcoming Programs:

June 21, 20203 7:00pm- Invasive Species in Ocean County 

June 28, 2023 7:00pm - Use and Maintenance of Backyard Forest Tools

July 13, 2023 6:30pm - Back Deck Forestry

The Forest Resource Education Center pine barrens forest provides many recreational opportunities including hiking, fishing, biking, hunting, nature photography, horseback riding and bike trails.

The FREC maintains eight miles of trails which feature numerous learning stations with informational kiosks on environmental topics. Bikes and horses are only permitted on sand roads and trails. ATVs are prohibited.

Hunters must obey NJ Fish and Wildlife Regulations which cover the safety zone info. The posted firearm safety zone is the area within 450 feet of a building or school playground, even if not occupied. As a reminder, there is no hunting permitted on Sundays. Visitors should wear fluorescent orange during hunting season.

To register for any event you can go to http://forestresourceeducationcenter.eventbrite.com and choose the program you would to register for