Don’t miss the official kick off of summer on the farm! After a long winter, it’s time to celebrate Spring outside with a fun family festival. Join us for a great event featuring food trucks, live music, games, and activities for all ages! Please bring blankets & chairs. (Seating is not provided.) No outside food, drinks, or coolers allowed. No pets, please. Service dogs only.
Activities: Throw House Hatchet Toss, ARTstitution, Boardwalk Style games, balloon artist for the kids, and more!
Live Music: Naughty Humphrey, Katie Henry Band and Bombed Opera!
Featuring Czig Meister Brewery!
Food Trucks include: Empanada Guy The Angry Chouriço BBQ Eat My Balls Mexi Boys Cas Pierogi Artic Dog Summer Dayze Amanda Banana Jersey Curbside Eats Angry Archies Eddie Dee’s Global Eats Why not Burgerz Pita Bowl Ice Cream Creations LLC Chank and Go pizza cones Philly Pretzel Company JerZey Girl Pickles Jersey Jack’s Kettle Corn
Pricing: $8 for adults and $5 for children 4-16 at the door $6 for adults and $4 for children if you purchase online in advance
Visit Donaldson’s Greenhouse & Nursery for their Holiday Open House Weekend (December 5th-6th from 8am to 8pm). There will be horse and carriage rides (11-4PM) through the farm on both days, live and fresh-cut trees, and all you need to complete you holiday decorating!
The Greenhouse & Nursery offers:
Live and fresh cut trees in a wide selection of sizes and varieties including Balsam, Fraser, and Concolor
Fresh wreaths in Balsam and Fraser in a variety of sizes and decor styles
Fresh grave blankets, roping, greens, swags, and kissing balls
Gorgeous poinsettias in many colors shapes and sizes
Cyclamen
Amaryllis
Christmas Cactus
Beautiful centerpiece for your holiday table
Take the private drive from the Farm Market to the Greenhouse & Nursery. Enjoy views of the farm – but please remember to drive slowly!
Every season our guests ask “What is your corn maze design going to be this year?” This season, our theme is “Brighten Someone’s Day” and YOU could be the one to design it!
Donaldson Farms is pleased to share that $1 from every entry into our corn maze this season will be donated to Tomorrows Children’s Fund! Our family and staff have selected this caring and encouraging organization as the inspiration of this year’s theme in honor and support of so many friends and local families that have had their children hospitalized, in treatment and battling many illnesses.
Design our 2018 corn maze!
Get your creative caps on, think about how Tomorrows Children’s Fund helps our community and draw what you feel would brighten someone’s day. If there is someone special who inspires your drawing then feel free to tell us about them – there is an area for this on the entry form (not required). Artwork from the winning entry will be featured in our 2018 nine-acre corn maze! Winner will also receive a Fall Fun Farm Prize Pack – goodies from our farm market for you to enjoy a special visit to our farm!
Deadline: All entries must be received – or postmarked if using US Mail – by 6:00 pm on Sunday, May 20th, 2018.
By entering you understand that the original design may be altered and edited for corn maze design purposes and that the artwork itself will be shared and promoted in conjunction with our 2018 Fall season farm marketing campaign.
Winning Corn Maze Design will be selected by Donaldson Farms Family and staff. Winner will be notified on or shortly after May 30th, 2018.
Options for Entering:
Drop off at our Farm Market:
358 Allen Road, Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Want to help out Tomorrows Children’s Fund? Donaldson Farms farm market will accept the following new items to be donated to TCF from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm on Saturday, October 13th and Sunday, October 14thonly.
Please keep in mind TCF supports patients from newborns to 22 years of age. No stuffed animals, please. TCF cannot accept stuffed animals. We will not accept used items. Thank you for your support!
April 29 – Come join the fun of a walk-a-thon and family fun day, while helping raise money for the Special Olympics New Jersey Area 3 – Morris, Sussex, & Warren. The day will begin with an energizing walk around scenic Donaldson Farms and continue with activities for people of all ages to participate in on the farm. Rain or Shine! This event is presented by the students of Centenary University’s Event Administration Class and hosted by Donaldson Farms.
Schedule:
10:45am – Registration Opens
11:45am – Opening Remarks
12:00pm – Walk Begins
1:00pm – Family Fun Day Activities Begin
**1:30pm – Hackettstown K9 Unit Demonstration
**2:30pm – Centenary Univ. President, David Haney & Lisa Baldwin Performance!
**3:15pm – Hackettstown K9 Unit Demonstration!
– Visit with Special Olympics Athletes
– Sauced & Rubbed BBQ!
– Face Painting
– Glitter Tattoos & Balloon Animals by ‘Clowns & Gowns’
– Theatre Performance
– Corn Hole
– Cotton Candy
– Popcorn
– Pony Rides
– Hay Rides 1pm & 3pm
– Laser Tag
Registration for the walk-a-thon includes participation in the walk-a-thon and family fun day activities (Pony rides, hayrides included. Laser tag and food are not included).
Registration Fees: Participants ages 12+ cost $15 Participants ages 5 – 12 cost $10.
Children under 4 are free to participate in the walk-a-thon.
Special Olympics Athletes cost $5 and must register the day of wearing a uniform or by bringing a medal.
There is no entry fee for the family fun day activities. Each activity priced individually and can be paid for the day of with cash only.
Food will be available for purchase at an additional cost for all participants of the walk-a-thon and family fun day activities.
Awesome Athletes Walk-a-Thon and Family Fun Day will take place rain or shine!
Thank you to our sponsors!
Donaldson Farms
Smith Ford Motor Company
AutoSport Chevorlet of Mt. Olive
Taphouse Grille
Marley’s Gotham Grill
JCS Painting & Construction
Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs
Professional Services
Little People’s Academy
Stensgaard Painting
Avelino’s Energy Services
3 Brother’s Restaurant
Sussex County Miners/ NJ Jackals
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 [email protected]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.
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:
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!
