History of the Farm
The Suydam family settled in Somerset County, New Jersey in 1713. For their first 50 years in the new world, they were residents of Brooklyn, New York after crossing the Atlantic from Holland on the ship the Rose Tree.
These Dutch settlers continued their tradition of farming by purchasing land and cultivating it with general field crops, fruits, vegetables and livestock. The Suydam family was busy supplying the local New Brunswick residents with fresh produce, milk and wool from the sheep they raised on the farm.
After a while, the Suydams began moving their produce and goods into New York City via boats and barges along the Raritan River at New Brunswick. Eventually, cattle and dairy cows became their main products and from the 1920s through the 1960s, Brown Swiss Dairy Cows became their main source of income. In 1960, Suydam Farms won an award for the highest production herd by the US Dairy industry.
Eventually change came around again to the local farm community and the dairy herd was sold off. Hay production and field crops are the main source of income. Find out more about Hay & Straw here!
