Farming a Family Tradition at Bader Farms

Editor's Note: The following story appeared on OurMontville.com and is used here with permission. Story by Ron Soussa, courtesy of the Montville Chamber of Commerce. See Patch's

Bella Goldie Bader came to Montville Township in 1907 and since then, generations of Baders have tended to the family's farm at 290 Changebridge Road.

A mostly commercial and residential area, Pine Brook may seem a strange location for a farm. Bader Farms calls back to a time when the area was once a thriving agricultural community.

Bella’s great-grandson, Ivan, his wife Jean, and their two sons, Sean and Ian, now run it.

"I'm a dying breed, the Last of the Mohicans," Ivan said.

He said it was "wonderful" and an "honor" to keep up the family's tradition, which started in 1892 in Roseland.

"I'd like to see the farm stay here after me and forever," he said.

While there are other farms in Montville Township - Van Ness in Towaco which grows corn and Condurso's Garden Center and Farm Market, which grows plants, Bader Farm is the only one that is a 100 percent, full-time farm, growing its own plants and produce and selling them at the farm stand.

"It was a different world," Ivan said of the agricultural Montville Township of his youth. The complexion of the township began to change when his father sold part of the farm to developers. He says that the loss of farms has taken some of the town’s “charm.”

"I think a lot of people move out here for the country, it's still a beautiful area," he said.

Bader said that a hurried modern lifestyle has had a negative impact on the farm's business, with people preferring to buy their fruits and vegetables at supermarkets where all produce is available year-round. This is changing, however, as he says that people are becoming more concerned with their carbon footprints and more aware of the better taste of fresh, in-season vegetables and fruits.

Bader Farm may have long-standing roots in Montville Township, but this does not mean it is immune to change. Several years ago, a greenhouse was added as the Baders’ began to sell garden plants, both annuals and perennials. This has become a big business for the farm, which also sells cucumbers, string beans, zucchini, peppers, sweet corn, eggplants, broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, butternut and acorn squash. These crops, however, are second to farm’s tomatoes.

"We grow the best, not only in the state, but in the world, they are second to none," Ivan said. "That's our number one crop, it's what I pride myself on. The tomato is tops here, it is the basis of our business.”

Last year, Ivan introduced Pick Your Own for some items. Ivan described this as "successful," but "not mind boggling." He said that some people enjoy going out to the fields with their children and taking pictures, while 0thers prefer the already picked produce at the farm stand.

The newest element at Bader Farm for this year is bio bugs. This involves using good bugs, such as Ladybugs, who eat the bad insects. In favor of pesticides. In keeping things natural, composed soil works as a fungicide. Although the farm has yet to get its certification, it is "pretty much organic," said Ivan.

Beyond being a Bader family tradition, life on the farm offers many perks that Ivan enjoys. He said he likes being his own boss, setting his own hours, and being outside.

"I tell people the satisfaction comes from taking the seed,” he said. “I seed it myself in January, raising the plant, planting it outside, raising it up, picking the produce, and selling it. We see it from start to finish, and raise plants that people put into their gardens.”

In addition, Ivan likes the change of season on the farm and the fact that each month brings something different to do.

"It is not always the same thing, it changes each month, we look forward to each season," he said. "They say that farmers are gamblers, we never know what Mother Nature will bring: drought, heat, we are never sure what we are going to get. That's what makes it interesting."