Vernon Valley Farm
Located in Sussex, NJ, Vernon Valley Farm, raises grass-fed beef, pastured pork, and naturally grown vegetables, producing fresh, healthy, and flavorful food for the community. Its operation is strictly chemical and drug free. From the health and well-being of its animals, all the way down to the worms in the soil, they harness nature’s synergies to farm, rather than industrial methods.
All of their cows are born on the farm and raised on the farm's pastures. They have spent years fine-tuning the mix of grass species to make a diversity of forage available, irrespective of the weather. From spring through early winter, they move the herd daily to a fresh area, a system known as intensive rotational grazing designed to mimic the natural grazing patterns of herd animals in the wild. This allows the grass enough time to rest and regrow and helps build healthy soil and break insect and parasite cycles. Livestock feed in an open sided barn on grass hay in the winter with free access to OMRI approved sea salt, vitamins, and minerals, which in turn re-mineralize the soil. The farm uses the historic bedded manure pack system that puts a greater emphasis on animal comfort rather than production efficiency. The resulting compost is spread back on the fields after the winter and helps grow vegetables. The pigs are allowed to enjoy the fruits of their foraging as they are moved through a series of pastures and wooded areas and have access to supplemental protein sources from locally grown and milled feed, fruit and vegetable scraps, and whey from a cheese-maker.
Overnight Camping Trip
When: Saturday 11/23/10 - Sunday 11/24/19
Fee: $30 per person (cash or make checks payable to "BSA Troop 71") due 11/14/19
WEBELOS: This Trip is Open to Webelos Scouts in Pack 101 and Pack 3, All Webelos must be accompanied by a Parent. Contact Mr. Bernic by email, Scoutmaster@plandometroop71.com if you are interested in going. Limited space, please reply early.
Permission Slip: Due by 11/14 for BOTH Scouts AND adults attending
Leader: SM Marijan Bernic (516) 655-1744, scoutmaster@plandometroop71.com
Activities: Camping, Hiking, Farm Exploration, Cooking, Animal Science Merit Badge, Huge Bon-Fire
(optional) Scouts taking the Animal Science MB must print, review and bring the below:
What to Bring:
Clothing:
Weather can vary this time of year, so proper clothing (layers of synthetic) is a must. Monitor the weather conditions up to the trip.
hiking boots (NO sneakers) / hiking socks
long pants (NO shorts)
long sleeve shirt
fleece top
jacket (windproof & water resistant)
change of clothes & extra socks
poncho/rain gear
for sleeping: warm clothes/long underwear & wool or fleece cap
Gear:
frame pack
sunscreen
tent w/ fly and ground cover (Scouts can sleep in their own tent or make tenting arrangements with other Scouts - LIMIT TWO PER TENT)
warm sleeping bag; bed roll; camping pillow
mess kit w/ utensils
water bottle with carabiner
flashlight/headlamp w/ fresh batteries
personal toiletries (including 1/2 roll toilet paper)
personal first-aid kit
camp chair (optional)
large black trash bag
pocket knife; compass
work gloves
coffee cup/mug (adults)
NOTE: ALL GEAR/CLOTHING MUST FIT IN/ON YOUR FRAME PACK
Meals:
Eat breakfast before we leave or in car and bring a brown bag lunch/power bars, etc. for Saturday. Dinner (Saturday) will be by patrol. Breakfast (Sunday) will be the freshest and most delicious eggs ever cooked by the patrols!
Departure/Return:
Please arrive at the LIRR parking lot across from Plandome Country Club by 7:00 am on Saturday. PLEASE BE PROMPT. We will depart at 7:15 and should be back in Manhasset midday Sunday.
Address & Directions:
99 Sand Hill Road
Sussex, NJ 07461
The ride is about 2 hours. Directions from my iPhone (but feel free to route yourself):
Cross Island Pkwy to Throgs Neck Bridge to I-95 North to Bruckner Expwy
Take Exit 9 Hutchinson River Pkwy N
Take Exit 13 to Cross County Pkwy/Saw Mill Pkwy
Take Exit 5-4 N-S towards Central Ave, follow signs for I-87 N/Thruway, merge onto I-87 N via the ramp to Tappan Zee Bridge/Albany/I-4 N
Continue on I-87 N to Exit 15A for NY-17 toward NY-59
Turn LEFT onto Route 17, go about 1.4 miles and keep right toward Ringwood
Go 5.2 miles, turn RIGHT onto Margaret King Ave
Go 2.3 miles, turn RIGHT onto Greenwood Lake Tpke
Go 4.3 miles, keep RIGHT onto Warwick Tpke
Go 7.7 miles, turn LEFT onto State Route 94S
Go 6.3 miles, turn RIGHT onto Vernon Crossing Rd
Go 1.4 miles, turn LEFT onto McAfee Glenwood Rd
Go 500 feet, turn LEFT onto Sand Hill Rd
Farm is .5 miles ahead on right