by Donald Webb
VERNON — In an age when it's not always clear what exactly is in our food, it's refreshing to know there are local farmers who grow food and raise animals the natural way. High Breeze Farm in Highland Lakes is one such farm.
In 1981, Bill Becker - the current owner - was helping out around the farm and asked the previous owner, Luther Barrett, if he could have a small plot of land to grow vegetables on. Shortly after that, Barrett had a fall that resulted in a blood clot in his brain.
"I moved in to help Luther with the farm because he was never the same after that, he was having seizures" said Becker.
In 1989 the state of New Jersey, which had bought the land from Barrett in 1981 and made it part of Wawayanda State Park, planned to demolish the farm. However, through the efforts of a local man named Ron Dupont Jr. and the Vernon Historical Society, the farm was placed on the state and national registers of historic places and saved. It is now the only working farm on Wawayanda Mountain today.
Becker has been running High Breeze in the traditional way for the last 32 years.
"I have had vegetable gardens my whole life," said Becker. "I was only five when my Irish grandmother taught me how to grow food naturally without the use of any unnatural processes."
Today, the 160-acre farm has about 100 chickens, grass-fed cattle, a dairy cow, eight pigs and a handful of goats. The farm also produces maple syrup from the many sugar maples located on the property. According to Barrett, High Breeze operates a lot like it did when the four generations of Barretts ran it starting in the mid-19th century.
High Breeze also grows and sells string beans, corn, tomatoes, squash and root crops. Naturally raised pork and beef are available as well. High Breeze maple syrup is now available.
"Naturally grown, farm fresh food is totally different in taste than any supermarket food," said Becker.
Becker’s farm offers a community supported agriculture program in which a yearly fee is collected from private individuals who become shareholders of the farm for that year. During the season, these share holders receive equally divided portions of produce available that week.
“The idea of CSA came from Japan,” said Becker. “It's a great way for one to be able to be a part of quality farming and receive its bountiful harvest."
High Breeze grows all of its crops in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture's Certified Naturally Grown standards.
"I don't sell anything on the farm that I don't grow here," said Becker.
For more information on High Breeze Farm, visit www.historichighbreezefarm.com or call 973-764-6098.