Popular South Jersey farm going up for auction

TABERNACLE, N.J. (WPVI) -- A family that has run a local farm for generations is calling it quits.

Conte's Farm in South Jersey has been a destination for decades, especially in the fall.

But in just a few weeks, the entire property goes up for auction.

"We are sad. We are very sad, we can't imagine them not farming," said Mary Ann Thompson from Tabernacle, New Jersey.

That's the reaction to news that the 220 acre Conte Farm in Tabernacle is up for sale. After almost a century of farming, the family is calling it quits, saying it's in economic decision.

"It's getting tougher and tougher for us. We enjoyed it over the years, we enjoyed serving the public. I read an article one time and it stands true that no one does so much for so little," said farmer Joe Conte.

Conte's Farmstand and Bakery on Flyatt Road has been a popular destination for anyone who wanted to buy farm fresh fruits and vegetables, pick your own, or venture through the annual corn maze.

"All the people that worked on the farm was pleasant and the bakery was good," said Barbara Higgenbothem from Chatsworth, New Jersey.

Conte's was known for their apple cider doughnuts.

On March 28 an auction will be held to sell off all of the farm and bakery equipment, baskets, containers and packaging materials that kept Conte's going - including antiques like a bill pick used by Joe Conte's grandfather to plant corn seeds by hand or a century-old cranberry harvester.

"Cranberries would go in the top call it up the vines would go through the bottom the cranberries would stay in the apparatus," says Joe Conte.

"There's something here for every type of farmer from your weekend farmer who's growing four or 5 acres up to your large growers," says auction agent Joe VanHise.

The Conte's say they have two potential buyers right now but you won't see houses going up here. This is preserved farmland so development is restricted.

Jack McGinnis owns Nixon's general store around the corner from Conte's.

"I'm gonna miss them. my grandmother used to send me over there for a pint of strawberries," said McGinnis.

"I'm concerned because we had so much business that came from people visiting pick your own over at Conti's and then they would come over here for lunch," he says.

Joe Conte says his family has loved working the land and it's hard to let it go but it's just time to stop farming.