SOUTH JERSEY FARM SPOTLIGHT: Luke and Rachel Tarvin

June 2, 2025

Right now we’re working on our next print issue, which will feature a heaping helping of content about the farms, farmers, farm markets and farm workers that help South Jersey put the garden in Garden State.

For that reason, we’ve decided to turn our Community Spotlight features completely over to that category for a while. So without further ado, let’s shine a light down on the farm!

---

NJ Nut Farms’ Luke and Rachel Tarvin

NJ Nut Farms is a chestnut orchard with complementary plantings of other perennial crops.

The farm’s team consists of just two – Luke and Rachel Tarvin, owners and first generation farmers. Their dream is to grow a diverse perennial farm and reintroduce locally-grown chestnuts to the region’s cuisine.

They harvested over 200 pounds of chestnuts in the fall of 2024 and they expect that number to grow five-fold next season. You will be able to find their chestnuts for sale at the Burlington County Farmer’s Market and the Bordentown Farmers Market this October.

The farm now tends to over 2,000 Chestnut trees between its two sites in Medford and Chesterfield.

The Chesterfield location they more-recently acquired came complete with complementary crops of asparagus and blueberries. The two-acre blueberry patch is open to the public for U-Pick beginning in mid june.

They have also now added alley plantings of elderberries, aronia berries, comfrey, and asparagus at the Medford site between the rows of chestnut trees there.

They’ve also recently planted 200 paw paw seedlings and hope to offer them for sale in a few years as well.

Visit their website for more information and to get on their email list and follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date about their Pick-Your-Own blueberry season.

Community Spotlights

If you know someone you think we should shine our Community Spotlight on, email us at [email protected].

Right now we’re focusing on our South Jersey Farming Spotlight category, which we’ll continue to run now and through the fall. So if you know a worker at your local farm, farm stand or farm market who deserves a special shout-out, get in touch!

We’re also still always looking for nominees in the following categories:

First Responders: Police, Fire, EMT, Dispatch, Active Military

Educators: Teachers, Coaches, Administrators, Aids, Support Staff

Food Service Industry Workers: Waitstaff, Bussers, Servers, Chefs, Cooks, Dishwashers

Volunteers: Nonprofit Workers, Youth Sports Coaches, Scout Leaders, PTO Volunteers

Public Servants: Elected Officials and Support Staff at every Government Agency serving South Jersey at the Municipal, County, State and Federal levels

Healthcare Workers: Nurses, Medical Assistants, Administrative Support Staff

Beverage Service Industry Workers: Anyone who works in a Bar, Coffee Shop, Brewery, Winery or Distillery