Local family finds farm expanding

Frankford - The Van Boerum family innocently became involved with the local 4-H livestock programs several years ago. The children were eager to learn about raising farm animals, and the programs on rabbits and beef cattle seemed exciting. Little did Gary and Basia Van Boerum realize that their children’s interest would grow into a thriving farm. Somewhat surprising to the parents, it became apparent in order for the younger Van Boerums’ intense interest in 4-H to continue, the family was going to have to raise some of its own livestock. Moving from a neighborhood housing development and onto eight acres of pasture was the first and fateful step for the family. That acreage, which once seemed so abundant, now features cows, sheep, goats and chicken grazing contentedly on pasture. They are also grazing on rented acreage from a neighboring farm. And the demand for the Van Boerum’s Snoep Winkel Farm meats is growing exponentially. The family is ready to tackle full-time livestock farming. Unfortunately, they need more land to do so. “We are looking for property in close proximity ... fallow land to raise pastured beef,” Gary Van Boerum said. “We need more acres to rotate the cows through.” They are looking to lease some appropriate acreage, or to purchase a large farm parcel in the Branchville area. The demand for freezer beef, lamb and chicken has kept the farm viable. Each season, the family has been able to expand to meet the demand. Now, they have sold out of all of their meat for the season, and are already taking names for next year’s batch. Currently raising eight hogs per year, Snoep Winkel has a waiting list for pastured pork. This was their first season offering pork. They also have a waiting list for the 20 or so spring lambs. The exact number available depends upon the number of multiple births each season. Lamb can be purchased on the small size, for an Easter or Passover roast, or can be raised larger for cuts. It is sold by the whole or half. Their meat chickens are pastured in a variety of moveable chicken coops. As the birds grow to maturity, they progressively have available more and more pasture space. The older birds are day-ranged on pasture covered with electrified netting, coming in at night to protect against predators. The farm sells about 720 meat chickens each year, with batches of 50 to 60 being processed 12 times ayear Laying hens number around 150, and 100 more are to be added soon. The eggs are sold at the Ringewood Farmers’ Market, curbside at the farm and soon, they hope, in a local supermarket chain. The laying hens have a deluxe, enclosed coop complete with an outside porch area and an open yard area, both of which are covered with fencing, to keep the hawks out. The roomy accommodations are clean and sanitary, allowing the birds as much “free range” as possible without losing them to predators. The majority of their meat rabbits are raised under contract to a Bergen County butcher, who has a vast ethnic clientele for which rabbit meat is a staple. The Van Boerums have recently noted a more local interest in rabbit meat, and they hope to increase the availability of rabbit to the general public. They are working on a new rabbit barn to hold additional animals. It’s the beef cows which require the most pasture. Snoep Winkel beef is primarily grass-fed, with daily supplemental hay. They do not grain-finish, which they believe is unhealthy for the animals, as cows are not designed to digest a grain-based diet. They prefer to offer a small percentage of grain all season long, which does help with the marbling of the beef but doesn’t negatively impact animal health, they said. They also do not use antibiotics unless a cow is ill, and they don’t use steroids or hormones. This is the part of the farm operation which has grown remarkably this season. The Van Boerums slaughter twice per year. They currently can raise 16 steer per year on their own land. They have a waiting list for beef, but no capacity to expand without finding more land for pasture. Another new venture in beef will be to offer individual frozen cuts of meat, rather than freezer beef by the side. In order to do so, the family will have to utilize a USDA-inspected butcher, invest in an approved freezer for storage and in government labeling requirements. The Van Boerum’s Snoep Winkel Farm is a thriving small farm. With its 4-H beginnings, it is truly a family affair If the family can find a larger farm to purchase, they can continue to grow, providing local meats to area residents. Until then, they will continue to offer their products on a first-come, first-serve basis. Snoep Winkel Farm can be contacted at: 973-702-2047. The farm is located at 70 George Hill Road, Branchville, NJ 07826 and has a vendor booth at the Ringwood Farmers’ Market on Saturdays.