'Meet The Farmer' Series In Mercer County Begins Tuesday Night

Howell Living History Farm will kick off a series celebrating New Jersey’s history as The Garden State Tuesday night. Apple grower Coles Roberts will present the first program in the “Meet the Farmer” series on Tuesday, April 2, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., county officials announced.

Roberts will tell the story of his family's early farming and orchard operations in Vincentown beginning in 1875. The presentation is based on letters written by his great-grandfather that are filled with rich descriptions of everyday life, including driving a herd of cattle through the streets of town and treating a man kicked in the head by a horse.

Roberts also will share his favorite experiences as the curator of the New Jersey Museum of Agriculture, a steam engine operator and a collector of antique apple peelers. He will wrap things up with a demonstration of some of the unique peelers he’s collected over the years. Audience members will have the chance to try their hands at using them to crank out perfect peels.

Following the talk, guests can meet and talk with Roberts over apple pie and ice cream, courtesy of the Friends of Howell Farm.

The “Meet the Farmer” series will continue on May 15 with poultryman Tom Wooden of Lambertville and on June 20 with beekeeper Bob Hughes of Yardville. The programs are free and begin at 7 p.m.

Howell Farm is owned by the County of Mercer and operated by the Mercer County Park Commission. It is located on Valley Road, just off Route 29, seven miles north of Washington Crossing. The GPS address is 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530.

For more information about the “Meet the Farmer” series and other farm programs, call 609-737-3299 or visit www.howellfarm.org or www.mercercountyparks.org.