The Remarkable Farm That Changed American Vegetables

By Nina Weiland/Aggie insider editor and multimedia reporter

During the week of August 31, select Delaware Valley University media students traveled the short walk across the street to arrive at Fordhook Farm. This historic property only opens to the public once a year and houses over seven different gardens. The sixty-acre farm keeps its historic character intact by preserving several historic buildings on the property, including the barn and field stone main house. In addition to these buildings, the Burpee Company built two greenhouses on the property, which Delaware Valley University actively uses and maintains.

History

According to the Burpee Home Gardener Magazine 1996, Burpee’s founder, W. Atlee Burpee grew up fascinated with agricultural breeding including livestock, dogs, and plants. In the late 1860s, Burpee had become a very successful livestock breeder at just 16 years old. Although many farmers he worked with commended him on animal breeding, they voiced concerns about crops. Their concerns focused on the performance of plant crops. They weren’t like the crops from their homeland, and that’s how Burpee Home Gardening began. In 1876, Burpee became the world’s first research-based seed development company. Burpee developed resilient North American versions of European seeds that could survive in the new climate.

Over the years, Burpee has developed some iconic culinary advancements. Stringless Greenpod Beans, created by Burpee in 1893, offered a development that simplified bean processing and cooking. Burpee introduced Iceberg Lettuce in 1894, a cool and crispy salad favorite that does not wilt, making transportation of produce more accessible. In 1902, Burpee developed Golden Bantam Sweet Corn which they promoted using the famous slogan “looks like butter, tastes like butter”. In the 1930s, David Burpee, W. Atlee’s son created scentless and mutant marigolds which paved the way for ornamental flowers. In 1949, following World War II, Burpee began focusing on home gardeners, which led them to develop one of the first successful hybrid tomatoes.The Big Boy tomato. The main reason that made these fruits so ground breaking was because they are large and disease resistant.

Fordhook Farm was and is the epicenter of the groundbreaking research that takes place at Burpee. Many of the products that DelVal students were able to view may have been classified or still under development.

The Kitchen Garden

The Kitchen Garden is a historic, trial garden that showcases produce and flowers that are new breeding innovations at Fordhook Farm. Burpee conducts several tests on these products to verify they meet the company’s quality standards.

The Sky Garden Conifer Collection

This garden is located on the Upper State Road/Business 202 side of the farm which showcases rare and unique conifers, or pine trees. This garden is filled with various sculptures and pollinators including bees, butterflies, moths, birds, and more.

The Spirit Garden

The Spirit Garden is most well-known as the world’s largest stumpery, which is a garden feature created by logs, root balls, and of course, stumps. In this area of the farm, the unique features create a natural landscape. The famous stumpery showcases various shade-loving plants.

During this unique experience, DelVal students were challenged to develop photo galleries and social media posts that tell a story. Through their vast gardens, students viewed and photographed flowers, produce, insects, and birds.

Explore more student projects @storytellers4good.