Cedarvale Farms: A. L. Gaventa & Sons
Peaches, nectarines, strawberries, pumpkins, sweet corn, cantaloupe
Three generations have now farmed at the Gaventas' 200 acre fruit and vegetable farm in Logan Township, NJ. Ed Gaventa's grandfather bought the farm in 1905, then passed it on to his two sons, who have now turned it over to their sons. One of the reasons Ed continues to enjoy farming so much is because it allows his own children to grow up the same way he did. He appreciates his upbringing on the farm because he feels it made him a better person.
Ed's children will grow up amidst 100 acres of peaches and nectarines, 4 acres of strawberries, 15 acres of pumpkins, 70 acres of sweet corn, and 2 acres of vineyards, not to mention whatever new crops the Gaventas decide to plant in the coming years. They'll be able to watch their father and his cousin do things the same way they've been done for decades. This isn't to say nothing's improved - many things are now done more efficiently, yet are still based on the same principles. For example, the Gaventas still harvest their sweet corn by hand because they know the quality would suffer with machine harvesting. Though Ed attended Penn State for agriculture, he also learned much from watching his father and asking him the right questions.
In spite of significant pressure on farmland in the area, Ed hopes that there will always be a market for family farms. They might evolve over the years, but he believes that his farm and others will continue to be around as a farm in one way or another. This will take ingenuity and thoughtful planning, such as Ed's new investment in two acres of vineyard, and his consideration of farmland preservation. As a farmer, Ed most enjoys being able to watch his work take growth every year. There is something rewarding about such renewal each spring that you don't find in most other jobs. He also enjoys the flexibility and freedom that comes with being your own boss.
Ed appreciates the educational value of urban projects like Greensgrow and wishes there were more ways for consumers to connect with rural farms. However, though most of their consumers remain faceless - the majority of their produce is sold wholesale - the Gaventas are committed to growing the best food they can for their customers.
