Plan your next school field trip and bring your class or group for an educational, fun, and unforgettable day on our modern, family-owned and operated, 500+ acre working produce farm. We can tailor any program to your meet your learning objectives and goals for your students or group. Our educational farm tours can be customized based on grade and age level. Each tour may include a fruit picking activity or planting project that everyone takes home, an educational and interactive tractor hayride tour of the farm, and a tasty snack! Equine education, craft and culinary projects may also be incorporated in your farm experience!
Reservations / More Information:
Please call (908) 852-9122 x 2 or send an email to events@donaldsonfarms.net for more information or to reserve your desired date and time. We promise to create a farm experience that your group will remember for many years to come!
Do you have a special event coming up? Donaldson Farms is the perfect venue for an array of private parties; anniversaries, milestone surprise parties, family reunions, baby showers and more! Contact us and tell us what you are looking for and we’ll help you create an event that your guests will remember for years to come.
Honoring our Veterans and Active Members of the U.S. Military
Join us for this special weekend (Saturday, 10/14 and Sunday 10/15 from 10AM to 4PM) as we honor veterans, active military personnel, and first responders (police officers, firefighters, and EMTs)!
Every October weekend at Donaldson Farms is fun-filled, but our Harvest Fest Weekend is extra-special and packed with all the quintessential autumn actives you can expect from a fall festival PLUS special guests, vendors, live music and more. We’ll honor our Veterans and active members of the U.S. Military in special ways throughout the weekend and provide opportunities for you to give back to the men and women who give their lives for our safety and freedom every day!
FREE Corn Maze Admission for Military and First Responders
During both days of this special weekend veterans, active military personnel, and first responders with proper ID get FREE entry into our military-themed, 9-acre corn maze! Also, $1 from each corn maze ticket this season will be donated to Welcome Home Vets of NJ!
Portraits of Love (Saturday Only)
Who is your favorite member of the military? Treat them to a FREE ‘Portrait of Love’ family photography session on the farm Saturday, October 14th, 12-4pm! Donaldson Farms is proud to host this memory making event! Professional photographers, Rick Gerrity (Panasonic Luminary) and Ulla Vinkman are offering military, active and retired, and their family a 15 minute mini session. Shutterfly will provide an exclusive code for you to access your photos for free. Click here to learn more and reserve your session soon – limited time slots available. Rain or Shine.
10/7 – Join us for a book signing and meet and greet with ‘Produce Pete’ Napolitano of NBC 4’s ‘Weekend Today in New York.’ Pete will be signing copies of his book, “Farmacopeia.” Don’t forget your camera! Details below.
Put on your comfortable walking shoes and venture into our corn maze! This year’s design is a “Salute to our Military.” Join us as we celebrate those who serve. $1 from every corn maze ticket purchased this season will benefit Welcome Home Vets of NJ!
The Corn Maze is open September 23rd through October 31st Monday – Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (weather permitting).
Foodies, this is your night! Experience farm-to-plate as you never have before with Morris Tap & GrillExecutive Chef andFood Network’s ‘Chopped’ Champion, local Chef Eric LeVine, at Donaldson Farms’ 500+ acre working, family owned & operated produce farm! You harvest fresh ingredients and enjoy an interactive, entertaining, hands-on cooking lesson -- an amazing, fun, and unique dining experience on the farm! A seasonal delectable menu is created for a memorable experience!
This culinary event is limited to 24 participants with 12 workstations – 2 guests per station. Limited seating ensures a fun night with individual attention and guidance by our staff.
Our guests are asked to arrive at the farm by 6:00pm. We will board a hayride wagon and travel through fields of scenic farmland to pick-your-own vegetables, produce and/or herbs for the evening! After we return, we’ll head to our prep stations to cook ingredients under the direction of Chef Eric. To close out the evening, we will enjoy our your meal as a group!
Date: Wednesday, September 13th (RAIN DATE: Thursday, September 14th) Time: 6:00 pm – approximately 9:00 pm
Entrée: Steak & Shrimp Sides: Herbs and sides will be based on the produce from our farm that is at its peak so it’s ‘fresh-as-it-gets’
Wine Pairing: TBA
Dessert: TBA
Weather: This event is held in a beautiful tent on the farm. Dress accordingly, check the weather prior to your visit. Crummy forecast? We will decide that evening if inclement weather will interfere with our hayride to harvest ingredients. If that’s the case, we will forgo the hayride and have fresh picked ingredients available for you to cook.
Dress: Dinner casual – we will be harvesting ingredients from the fields and cooking. Ladies, if your heels are not up to the challenge, casual and covered toed shoes are suggested. Evenings may be cooler. Consider bringing a light jacket or sweater.
Allergens: We will do our best to accommodate our guests with sensitivities/allergies, but cannot guarantee that allergens will not be present.
Farm-fresh ingredients: Our menu each week will be ‘fresh-as-it-gets’. Herbs and sides for each menu will be based on the produce from our farm that is at its peak!
Cancellations: Things happen. Please notify Donaldson Farms ASAP if you need to cancel your reservation. These are limited seating events that are often times wait-listed. Please be courteous.
Refunds or exchanges: No refunds will be given within 72 hours prior to event. Refund and exchange requests will be reviewed by Donaldson Farms management and issued at their discretion.
Payment: All major credit cards accepted. You will be directed to our secure ticketing site after selecting the ‘Register Now’ button below. Please be sure to select the date you are interested in attending. You will receive an email confirmation. Enjoy your time on the farm!
“It was a FABULOUS experience!!! We can’t wait to do it again!!! Chef Eric was fun and very interactive, and as always, the Donaldson Family is so welcoming!!! Thank you for having us!!!!” ~ Melissa M.
“Awesome evening! We can’t wait to learn more from Chef Eric and enjoy great food and company!! Thank for having us!! This was a 10!!” ~ Robin I.
“Such a wonderful experience! Everything was top notch. Now to get the hubby to come along…” ~ Florence K.
“It was such an amazing night and an experience I’ll never forget! Thanks for having us!!!” ~ Angela D.
Review by the Grazette Journal:
“When you hear Harvest, Cook, & Dine, you might think that its only for those passionate about farming. Not true! In our group of 24, there were people from all walks of life. So whether you’re more comfortable in a polo or with a pitchfork, this is an event you should experience. This “pick your own” meets “cooking class” meets “farm to table dinner” is an amazing interactive experience unlike any other in New Jersey. The event, hosted by Donaldson Farms on their farmland set amongst the rolling hills of Hackettstown, NJ, gave me the opportunity to familiarize myself with one of the coolest farms in the Garden State…” ~ Samantha [read more]
Join us for our Little Learning Farmers Learning Program at Donaldson Farms, offered weekly in June through mid-September. Sign up for one or more. We feature a new craft every Tuesday!
This program is ideal for pre-school and kindergarten age children.
$12.00 for the first participating child (age 2 – 6 years old); $6.00 for each additional sibling (age 2 – 6 years old)
Children 1-year-old and under are FREE to attend. *If your child is 1+ and will participate by picking strawberries, planting a plant or creating a craft then please sign them up as a ‘participating child at registration.’
Strawberry Fun events are perfect for everyone who loves farm-fresh strawberries! Enjoy a craft and strawberry activity with your little farmer!
Tractors & Farm Equipment events are perfect for everyone who wants to see and learn about big tractors and farm equipment! Enjoy a craft and hayride with your little farmer!
Craft or activity may be substituted due to inclement weather or crop conditions.
When strawberry picking is the featured activity, accompanying adult may purchase a container (pint, quart or flat) in our farm market and pay by the pound for the berries they pick.
Children must have adult supervision at all times. Thank you for understanding that this is is not a ‘drop-off event.’
Please dress for the weather. Sunblock, closed-toed shoes that can get dirty and a sunhat are always a good idea.
Events are rain or shine.
Registration is required.
Schedule: Tuesday, June 5th: Tractor & Farm Equipment 9:30am – 11:30am Tuesday, June 12th: Strawberry Fun – Strawberry Picking 9:30am – 11:30am Tuesday, June 19th: Tractor & Farm Equipment 9:30am – 11:30am Tuesday, June 12th: Strawberry Fun – Strawberry Picking 9:30am – 11:30am **Little Learning Farmers will continue through July, August, and mid-September – program themes will be announced soon!
Registration
Registration for this event is required. Spots are limited and are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Payment with Credit Card
Use the link below to register and pay with credit card:
Experience farm-to-plate with Food Network’s ‘Chopped’ Champion, local Chef Eric LeVine! You harvest, grill, and enjoy an interactive, entertaining, cooking lesson -- an amazing and unique dining experience on the farm!
This four (4) week culinary series is limited to 24 participants per weekly event, with 12 workstations – 2 guests per station. Limited seating ensures a fun night with individual attention and guidance by our staff.
This exciting opportunity is presented by Executive Chef/Partner Eric LeVine of Morris Tap & Grillin Randolph, NJ and hosted by Donaldson Farms. Get ready to harvest and prep your own ingredients while dining, all in the same evening. Fresh as it gets!
Our guests are asked to arrive at the farm by 6:30pm. We will board a hayride wagon and travel through fields of scenic farmland to pick-your-own vegetables, produce and/or herbs for the evening! After we return, we’ll head to our prep stations to cook ingredients under the direction of Chef Eric. To close out the evening, we will enjoy our your meal as a group!
Cost: $115.00 per person/per weekly event Time: 6:30 pm – approximately 9:30 pm
Rain or shine: Our events are held in a beautiful tent on the farm. Dress accordingly, check the weather prior to your visit. Crummy forecast? We will decide that evening if inclement weather will interfere with our hayride to harvest ingredients. If that’s the case, we will forgo the hayride and have fresh picked ingredients available for you to cook.
Dress: Dinner casual – we will be harvesting ingredients from the fields and cooking. Ladies, if your heels are not up to the challenge, casual and covered toed shoes are suggested. Evenings may be cooler. Consider bringing a light jacket or sweater.
Allergens: We will do our best to accommodate our guests with sensitivities/allergies, but cannot guarantee that allergens will not be present.
Farm-fresh ingredients: Our menu each week will be ‘fresh-as-it-gets’. Herbs and sides for each menu will be based on the produce from our farm that is at its peak!
Cancellations: Things happen. Please notify Donaldson Farms ASAP if you need to cancel your reservation. These are limited seating events that are often times wait-listed. Please be courteous.
Refunds or exchanges: No refunds will be given within 72 hours prior to event. Refund and exchange requests will be reviewed by Donaldson Farms management and issued at their discretion.
Payment: All major credit cards accepted. You will be directed to our secure ticketing site after selecting the ‘Register Here’ button below. Please be sure to select the date you are interested in attending. You will receive an email confirmation. Enjoy your time on the farm!
Questions? Call our farm market #908-852-9122, press ‘2’ for events or email events@donaldsonfarms.net
“It was a FABULOUS experience!!! We can’t wait to do it again!!! Chef Eric was fun and very interactive, and as always, the Donaldson Family is so welcoming!!! Thank you for having us!!!!” ~ Melissa M.
“Awesome evening! We can’t wait to learn more from Chef Eric and enjoy great food and company!! Thank for having us!! This was a 10!!” ~ Robin I.
“Such a wonderful experience! Everything was top notch. Now to get the hubby to come along…” ~ Florence K.
“It was such an amazing night and an experience I’ll never forget! Thanks for having us!!!” ~ Angela D.
Review by the Grazette Journal:
“When you hear Harvest, Cook, & Dine, you might think that its only for those passionate about farming. Not true! In our group of 24, there were people from all walks of life. So whether you’re more comfortable in a polo or with a pitchfork, this is an event you should experience. This “pick your own” meets “cooking class” meets “farm to table dinner” is an amazing interactive experience unlike any other in New Jersey. The event, hosted by Donaldson Farms on their farmland set amongst the rolling hills of Hackettstown, NJ, gave me the opportunity to familiarize myself with one of the coolest farms in the Garden State…” ~ Samantha [read more]
Saturday, May 20th – Tack sale and swap to benefit Helping Hearts Equine Rescue. Come on out from 10AM – 3PM and enjoy this event that includes many items for sale, pony rides (priced individually), and delicious food by Sauced and Rubbed BBQ!
Vendor Cost: $25 – 10’x10′ space under tent (limited) – SOLD OUT
$20 – 10’x10′ lawn area space
Limited spaces are available under our tent. Spaces will be assigned under the tent upon receipt of this form on a first come, first serve basis. Vendors must bring their own tables and chairs for their displays. Vendors may bring their own tents but must provide appropriate stakes and weights.
Vendors will be accepted at the discretion of Donaldson Farms. All applicants will receive a confirmation of their status via email.
Vendor Set-Up & Important Info: Vendors and Tack Sale sellers may ONLY set up between 9-9:45AM and tear down after 3PM. Please look for signs that will direct you to the Vendor area when you arrive. If conditions are windy on the day of the event, please allow time for event staff to assist you with tent anchoring, if applicable. Once unloaded, vendors must park in the general parking area. PLEASE NOTE: All vendor spaces must be cleared immediately after the event. No items may be left behind. Cash payment is due on the day of the event.
June 14th @ 6PM – Reserve your spot for our 2017 Celiac Disease & Living Gluten Free event featuring Peter H.R. Green, MD and Cynthia Beckman from the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University! They will provide an informative presentation and Q&A on Celiac Disease and living gluten free. A fantastic resource!
Light snacks and refreshments provided by the farm and Mama’s & Café Baci.
The Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center is one of a few centers in the United States that provides comprehensive medical care, including nutritional counseling, for adult and pediatric patients with celiac disease. Ranked #1 in the world for celiac disease research by expertscape.com, with more than 500 peer reviewed research publications, the Center has a core of researchers who are leading some of the most important science in the field, through studies that touch on immunology, epidemiology, neurological and psychiatric disorders, pediatric issues, and
nutrition.
This event is FREE but donations to the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center are appreciated and may be made at their website by clicking the link below.
Who is your favorite member of the military? Treat them to a FREE ‘Portrait of Love’ family photography session on the farm Saturday, October 14th, 12-4pm! Donaldson Farms is proud to host this memory making event! Professional photographers, Rick Gerrity (Panasonic Luminary) and Ulla Vinkman are offering military, active and retired, and their family a 15 minute mini session. Shutterfly will provide an exclusive code for you to access your photos for free. 
Foodies, this is your night! Experience farm-to-plate as you never have before with Morris Tap & Grill Executive Chef and Food Network’s ‘Chopped’ Champion, local Chef Eric LeVine, at Donaldson Farms’ 500+ acre working, family owned & operated produce farm! You harvest fresh ingredients and enjoy an interactive, entertaining, hands-on cooking lesson -- an amazing, fun, and unique dining experience on the farm! A seasonal delectable menu is created for a memorable experience!
