Tucked along the North side of the Delaware Bay, Cohansey Meadows Farm is demonstrating innovation in the midst of adaptation and ecological restoration.
The farm’s 1,600+ acres boasts a rich history, diverse wildlife, and a quiet tranquility in its meadows, marshes and forests. Quakers, trappers, and even pirates have been known to stomp the Cohansey (rumors abound that Blackbeard’s treasure is buried somewhere nearby…). More recently, farmers and tractors have held the ground, though with the increase of flooding and rising sea levels, the farm’s future has let go of its conventional commodity production.
Leaning into the opportunity within the problem, farmer and Owner John Zander is producing a novel, yet historic, product: salt hay. Valued for its rot-resistance and lack of seeds, Cohansey Meadows Farm’s salt hay (Spartina Patens) might just be the next best thing for the organic farm or garden. Produced without chemicals of any kind, Zander goes through great lengths to supply customers with a high-quality products while respecting the ecology of the land.
Invasive phragmites are managed by timely mowing, not by chemical application, and some parts of the farm are simply off-limits to protect the nesting needs of many wildlife species (including 5+ bald eagle nests, ospreys terrapin turtles, and more). In stark contrast, nearby utility companies make direct applications of glyphosate along the Cohansey, which is a principal source of drinking water for South Jersey (the Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer supplies 15+ million gallons of drinking water!).
Farming in such an environment demands attention to and a respect for natural systems. Moon phases and tides dictate what work can be done, and whether or not Zander must travel by land or by water (often, he loads his BCS walk-behind tractor into a boat to access the salt hay plots). Weather can change quickly, and the gnats and pesky insects can make a bad day worse.
The name Cohansey is believed to have originated from the Lenape word, Cohanzick, roughly translated as “that which is taken out.” It’s reassuring to see firsthand the efforts that Cohansey Meadows Farm is taking to invest in the land and the ecology as well as the surrounding community. Zander has worked with conservation organizations (like NRCS, NJ Audubon, Ducks Unlimited, and others) and has donated salt hay plants to support wetlands restoration projects, including one collaboration with the Edwin B. Forsythe Refuge in Atlantic and Ocean Counties.
Consider supporting this local farm, along with their investment in stewardship, by purchasing salt hay for your farm or garden. Visit CohanseyMeadows.com to learn more, purchase hay, and and contact the farm directly.
Thank You John for hosting a great NOFA NJ Farm Tour!
This workshop was made possible via the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). Partnering organizations in six regions connect farmers with local mentors and provide education and technical assistance on agronomy, certification, extension, conservation planning, business development, regulations, and marketing. Learn more Here