The Century Farm Award is presented to a New Jersey farm that has been in the same family and operational for at least 100 years.
​This award is presented at the Society’s Annual Dinner Gala, held each spring.

2014 Century Farm Award

Capaldi Farms
Port Norris, NJ

Dominic Capaldi, a stone mason, came to New Jersey in 1906 to pursue his dream of being a farmer. He had heard that the land in Port Norris was fertile and reasonably priced, so he settled there and began to raise a family. While learning to become a productive farmer, he tried many crops and even pioneered some crops in the area including fall broccoli and string beans. He also had great success in farming, lettuces, strawberries, blueberries, lima beans and redskin potatoes. Dominic also grew cranberries and would use the profits from the fruit to buy additional acres to increase the size of the farm.

Dominic taught his three sons, Philip, Joseph, and Louis, how to work the land and the family farm was very successful. Dominic passed in 1947 and the sons assumed all day-to-day responsibilities for the business. The brothers adapted the crops they grew to meet changing consumer demand and they raised and harvested oysters to extend the working season.

Philip, being the oldest, had left school in the sixth grade to focus on farming, but as he grew, Philip always had a sense of community. When he was older, Philip served on many boards including the Cumberland County Board of Agriculture, Commercial Township Planning Board, and the Cumberland County Fair Board. He was also Director of the Cedarville Produce Auction and was Co-founder of The People Bank of Port Norris. Philip passed in 2004 and, knowing their father’s passion for farming, his children, Dominick and Mary, started a memorial scholarship in his name for Cumberland County high school seniors who wish to continue their education in courses related to the agriculture industry.

Louis, Dominick, and Mary, now grow soybeans on 145 acres and have another 75 acres in the S.A.V.E. program. They have also added Capaldi Machine Products as part of the family business.

In 2010, the Port Norris Historical Society honored Philip as a “Legend of Port Norris” and Louis as a “Living Legend of Port Norris” for their lifetime of contributions to the community. Phil’s son, Dominick, remains active in the community as well. He is a member of the Cumberland County Board of Agriculture, the Port Norris Historical Society, the Commercial Township Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Port Norris and has served several terms on the Farmers Home Administration County Committee.

Because of this proud heritage, the New Jersey Agricultural Society is pleased to honor Capaldi Farms with the 2014 Century Farm Award.

Holtzhauser Farms
Monmouth Junction, NJ

In 1897, Edward Holtzhauser married Emma Chattain, whose family owned a farm in Mullica Hill, Gloucester County. The couple had 5 children and their son Charles took over farming responsibilities when Edward passed. At that time, the farm consisted of wide variety of products ranging from fruits and vegetables to dairy and nursery.

Charles Holtzhauser married Marcella Costello and they had one son, Thomas Edward. In addition to being a productive farmer, Charles was also a popular auctioneer in the area and ran the Glassboro Auction for many years.

When Charles passed in 1968, Tom and his wife, Teresa Datz Holtzhauser, assumed ownership of the farm. In the early eighties, Tom decided to farm only peaches and apples. The couple had two children, Jane and Tom. When Tom passed in 1994, son Tom took over and has run the farm since. The farm is comprised of 144 acres, 92 of which are in Farmland Preservation. Holtzhauser Farms currently grows thirty-three varieties of yellow, white and donut peaches along with some varieties of apples and apricots. The farm has won the Governor’s Cup twice at the New Jersey Peach Festival along with numerous Best of Shows and First Place awards.  Tom is currently a director for the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council, a member of the New Jersey Farm Bureau and has served as a Director for the New Jersey Peach Council.

Tom married Stacey in 1992 and they have two children. Stacey works for the Township and maintains financial records for the farm. She is also actively involved in the New Jersey Peach Festival. Daughter Melissa was the 2011 New Jersey Peach Queen and also is actively involved in the Peach Festival.  Tom Jr. will hopefully outgrow his sensitivity to peach fuzz so he can take his place working on the farm this year. 

Peach farms are few and far between these days. The Holtzhausers are very proud to be farmers and love the job. The family sells straight from the packing house, out of the cold storage.  All of Holtzhauser’s loyal customers know to look for the OPEN flag on the side of the building when they want the best peaches.

Because of this proud heritage, the New Jersey Agricultural Society is pleased to honor Holtzhauser Farms with the 2014 Century Farm Award.