Ironbound Farm

Ironbound Farm has established itself as a cidery, orchard, and regenerative farm, offering a diverse range of products including vegetables, meat, herbs, flowers, eggs, and cider apples. The farm is also home to a CSA, Farm Market, and Cider Garden, which hosts music, dinners, educational workshops, and farm tours year-round. The cider team is led by Cameron Stark, an award-winning winemaker turned cidermaker, who brings his expertise to craft distinctive, well-structured ciders. Stark's background in viticulture and enology, along with his experience at Unionville Vineyards, has contributed to the farm's reputation for producing high-quality ciders.

Ironbound Farm employs regenerative agricultural practices that reject toxic pesticides and aim to work in harmony with nature. The farm focuses on nurturing a complex community of soil-borne life, favoring perennial crops to minimize soil disruption and protect against erosion. Innovative techniques like swales capture rainwater to irrigate apple trees, while diverse plant communities support ecosystem services such as nitrogen fixation, weed suppression, and pollinator attraction. The integration of poultry and livestock into fields and orchards aids in pest management, weed control, and fertilization. Nutrient recycling through composting and the use of all plant and animal parts minimize waste and off-farm inputs. The farm's philosophy emphasizes restoring balance to the ecosystem rather than combating pests and diseases with chemicals.

Ironbound Farm collaborates with local and regional apple partners to ensure a diverse and resilient apple harvest. By working with farmers in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, the farm gains insights into how heritage cider varieties perform in different conditions and provides farmers with access to New Jersey's marketplace. The farm also sources unique ingredients from innovative farmers and foragers to create ciders that capture the essence of New Jersey's landscapes. The Ciderhouse at Ironbound Farm produces farm-centric ciders, wines, and field-to-table cuisine.