Griggstown Quail Farm
Encyclopedia
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
producer of game birds that is run by George Rude. It was the winner of Edible Communities
Edible Communities
Edible Communities is a holding group of magazines published about local culinary news, specializing in local food.-History:It was founded by Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian in 2002 in Ojai, California. consists of 62 Edible magazines in the United States. Each magazine has culinary news tailored...
' New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
Farm local hero award in 2010.
History
It is located in the GriggstownGriggstown, New Jersey
Griggstown is an unincorporated area and a historic district within Franklin Township, in Somerset County, New Jersey. It was first settled around 1733.-Selected sites:* * Griggstown Quail Farm...
section of Franklin Township
Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey
-Communities of Franklin Township:The following are census-designated places, unincorporated enclaves, and historical communities located within Franklin Township...
, Somerset County
Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In 2010, the population was 323,444. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Somerville....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, and was started in 1973 by George Rude with twelve quail on 2 acres (8,093.7 m²). At that time the farm was owned by Peter Josten. George purchased the land from Josten in 1992, the Griggstown Quail Farm grew to over 75 acres (303,514.5 m²) of land. In 2007 the farm had about 35,000 pheasants, 70,000 quail, and 150,000 chickens. In season they raise Mallard duck, Muscovy duck
Muscovy Duck
The Muscovy Duck is a large duck which is native to Mexico and Central and South America. A small wild population reaches into the United States in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas...
, Bourbon Red
Bourbon Red
The Bourbon Red is a breed of domestic turkey named for its unique reddish plumage and for Bourbon County, Kentucky. The standard indicates mature Bourbon Red toms weigh 33 pounds , and mature hens weigh 18 pounds . The standard indicates the bourbon red should weigh 23 pounds for toms and 14...
turkey, and partridge
Partridge
Partridges are birds in the pheasant family, Phasianidae. They are a non-migratory Old World group.These are medium-sized birds, intermediate between the larger pheasants and the smaller quails. Partridges are native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East...
. All the birds are free-range.
The birds are sold to D'Artagnan, Inc., in Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
. In addition, a number of other distributors and restaurants carry poultry raised on the farm. Distributors in New York include Cittarella Market and Ottomanelli Sons, as well as a number of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
restaurants such as Lutèce
Lutèce (restaurant)
Lutèce was a famed French restaurant in Manhattan that operated for more than 40 years before closing in 2004. It once had a satellite restaurant on the Las Vegas Strip....
and The Four Seasons. New Jersey restaurants that use the poultry include The Bernards Inn, the former Ryland Inn
The Ryland Inn
The Ryland Inn was a restaurant in Readington Township, New Jersey that won the James Beard Mid-Atlantic region top prize.-History:Craig Shelton took over as chef and managing partner in 1991 at the age of 30....
, Mediterra, Tre Piani, elements, ShipWreck Point, Brothers Moon, Anton's at the Swan, Circa and the Lawrenceville Inn.
Matthew Sytsema is the market and kitchen manager. He had worked previously at the Ryland Inn.