Thanksgiving hits different when the turkey comes straight from a real farm, a New Jersey farm at that. At The Farm at Glenwood Mountain, right off County Road 565 in Vernon, New Jersey, they’ve got pasture-raised, organic turkeys ready for pre-order. You can grab whole birds or just the parts you need – breasts, wings, drumsticks. These aren’t your supermarket birds. They live outside and graze on fresh grass every day, and are fed a locally sourced, non-GMO grain blend feed.
Pre-orders are now open and will remain so until November 21. They only raise a certain number each year, and once they’re gone, that’s it. Put down your deposit soon if you want one. Pickup is set for Sunday, November 23, or Monday, November 24 – perfect timing to get your bird home and prepped for the big day.
And it’s not just turkey. Chef and owner Steve MacLean has you covered on sides, too. Everything is made fresh on the farm: rich turkey stock from their own bones, silky gravy, a bright cranberry-apple compote, creamy butternut squash soup, and more. Walk in, load up, walk out with a full Thanksgiving menu minus the stress.
A Little History
Rewind ten years. Steve and Candice MacLean were living in NYC. Steve had trained at the French Culinary Institute, worked in top kitchens, and knew flavor inside out. Then they found 180 acres in Vernon that hadn’t been farmed in over 30 years. They bought it, moved in, and got to work.
Clearing brush, rebuilding soil, fixing fences – it was years of sweat. Now it’s USDA-certified organic. They raise Highland cattle with their shaggy coats, heritage pigs that root like they’re supposed to, and flocks of chickens and turkeys that actually see daylight. They grow row after row of vegetables, plant wildflowers from seed, and run a farm market loaded with fresh cuts of meat, eggs, and produce.
The farm’s more than a store, though. They host weddings in the fields, rent out cozy lodging, and throw farm-to-table dinners in a restored 1930s barn that feels like stepping back in time – but with better food.
Thanksgiving Dinners
The Farm is also hosting two special Thanksgiving dinners on November 14 and 15. Both start at 5:30 p.m. in that old barn, now polished up with string lights and long wooden tables. The menu features their own pasture-raised turkey, carved right there, served with farm-grown organic vegetables – think roasted roots, herbed greens, and perhaps some mashed potatoes made with their own cream.
It’s BYOB, so bring your favorite wine or beer, and currently, tickets are $150 per person. November 14 spots are here, November 15 here. They sell out fast – last year both nights were gone in days. More farm dinners are coming in December; they’ll post dates on their Facebook soon (to get advance notice, sign up for emails/VIP invite list here).
Why This Turkey Tastes Better
Pasture-raised means flavor. Birds that move, eat naturally, and grow slow develop deeper taste. The meat’s firmer, juicier, with golden fat under crisp skin. And perhaps your turkey will be the one people talk about next year.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.