Our Mission
Fulper Family Farmstead is a people-oriented family business focused on building dependable, loyal relationships with our customers and meeting the demand of local consumers for fresh, local food. We believe in sharing our farm’s practices and the way our farm has evolved over time with complete transparency through our dairy products and on-farm experiences. We are motivated by our desire to provide a supplemental way for our 5th-generation farm to increase profitability so it remains sustainable for future generations.
Our Story
103 years ago, Mary Fulper moved to West Amwell, NJ, and brought one cow with her, where her family started growing vegetables. Mary’s son Norman and his wife Harriet took over the farm in 1918 and bought their first tractor in 1923. They gradually expanded the farm while milking 20 cows by hand, growing tomatoes for Campbell’s Soup, and hauling vegetables to the Trenton NJ Farmers’ Market until the late 1940s. Expansion continued through the 1950s as the latest technology was embraced in order to continually produce high quality products. Furthermore, the latest soil conservation methods were practiced to protect the soil and land. Milking 80 cows and farming over 200 acres, Norman Jr. and his brother Robert formed a partnership with their father. They installed a state-of-the-art milking parlor in 1958. Eventually, Norman Jr. moved to his own farm and Robert and his wife Sarah managed the business. They continued expansion and profound innovations. Today, Robert’s forward-thinking sons, Robert II and Fred Fulper, own and manage the farm. Producing wholesome, quality products and utilizing environmentally friendly practices continues to be of major focus for the brothers and was a driving force in the decision to convert the farm to a solar renewable operation. Now, the fifth generation is serving as key decision makers in the farm operation. Innovation and agricultural education fuel the farm’s progress. The Fulper Family sees the importance of educating consumers, especially children, about what it takes to consistently produce a safe, nutritious dairy product daily. We are excited to share our century of experience with you and invite you to support our next generation as we farm and produce local, fresh dairy products for your next generation.
“Working hard or hardly working?” Grandpop shrugs with a grin. Rising before dawn, working past sunset, and countless hours in between show their passion and commitment to the land, cows, and family. Married for 60 years, you could catch Grandpop and Grandma on the farm holding hands and cracking jokes. Between Grandpop’s witty humor and Grandma’s kind heart, they have created a welcoming environment for family, friends, and farm visitors. Interesting Fact: Bob was the Township Mayor.
Rob and Fred Fulper are Bob and Sally’s sons; the current partners in the farm business. You can find them milking cows at 4:30 a.m., stacking hay late at night, or penciling out their next farm project together. Despite the long hours and hard work, they never give up or lose sight of what is most important to them: family. Rob and Fred are the backbone of the operation and are molding the next generation (their children) for success. During their tenure, they have been instrumental in the receipt of the Dairy of Distinction Award, Dairy Herd Improvement Association Awards, recognized for their Milk Quality, and several Sustainability projects. Their dedication reaches far beyond the boundaries of the farm; to their families, community, and church.
You may find Rob’s wife, Cindi baling hay in the summer or driving the grain cart during Harvest and while Fred’s wife, Kim, enjoys being at the farm, she has been dedicated to the Salvation Army since 1988. Both Cindi and Kim love being around the animals, have volunteered a significant amount of their time to the local 4-H Dairy Program, and understand first-hand that it takes a special person to enjoy farming with the physical labor and long hours required. It also takes a special person to raise a family on the farm like they have done!
A Cornell University graduate, Breanna is responsible for the start-up of the agritourism program on the farm when she was just 15 years old including Farmstead Adventure Camp, Birthday Parties, and Farm Tours. She spearheaded the farm’s production of fresh dairy products from their cows’ milk in 2011 and was instrumental in the implementation of the farm’s esteemed solar renewable energy system, which was essential to their 2013 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award for Outstanding Achievement in Renewable Energy. These accolades have led Breanna to be featured on NPR Radio and the NY Times. She manages the finances and oversees the employees for the dairy product and agritourism activities. Interesting Fact: 1st place team in the National Dairy Challenge Competition.
With a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and Sociology and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction: Educational Leadership, she has a strong passion for helping children develop and become their best. She is well-rounded and isn’t afraid to jump in and help wherever needed whether its office work, running equipment, or on-farm events. Interesting fact: Her lifelong goal is to build an on-farm Daycare.
Upon receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Crop Science at Delaware Valley College, RJ returned home to the farm and is now working full-time as the Field Crops Manager. You can find him developing crop fertility and rotation plans as well as nutrient management plans to maintain high quality soil year-round and grow the highest quality crops with the least amount of carbon footprint. Additionally, he oversees machinery maintenance and repair.
Upon graduating with an Animal Science degree from Penn State, she is full-time herdswoman and tour guide for all farm visitors! She has received the Dreibelbis Endowment for Excellence in Agriculture, ADSA Student Scholarship Award, Targetting Excellence Scholarship, and Betty Parks Strutin Scholarship in Dairy and Animal Science. She has taken on many leadership roles such as the Overall Dairy Expo Assistant Chairperson, Farmstead Adventure Camp Coordinator, and the 4-H Lease Program. She enjoys educating others about agriculture and what it takes to raise dairy cattle and produce quality milk and dairy products. She has a deep care for the food we eat and those that work hard to produce it. Her proudest moment is winning Junior Champion at the NJ State Holstein show with her first bred and owned animal.
Freddie is attending a local college and working on the farm. How many college students are willing to wake up at 4 am to milk cows and then head to class all day? He enjoys soccer, history, good food and taking care of his baby; Ford F250 truck. Freddie was a member of the Mt. Airy Dairy 4H Club for 8 years and has taken on leadership roles such as Treasurer. Freddie has received the Randy Buchanan Award for his excellence in Athletics and the Citizenship Award for his involvement in school and community activities.
At 9 years old, he LOVES riding on the Tractors with anyone who is willing to bring him along!
“I have been an employee of Fulper Farms for 15 amazing, life changing years. Some of my happiest moments in life have been spent with the Fulper cows.” Janice is passionate about traveling to adventurous places, living a healthy lifestyle and helping individuals achieve their highest potential in life. Her motto is “Life is Udderly Full!”
“It’s been such a great experience at Fulper Farms. Not only do I love being able to sell a product that I really enjoy but I am also proud to talk about! Most of all, I love knowing exactly where it came from. I am a crazy “dog mom” to my two cocker spaniels; Tucker and Charlie. This past year, I started to pursue a career in acting, something I’ve always wanted to do. My proudest moment in life was making it to my first audition!”
Interests/Hobbies: 4-H, Baseball, Basketball, Guitar Awards/Recognition: Outstanding Dairy Project Award, Junior Leadership Award, 1st place individual at the All American 4-H Dairy Judging Forum Leadership Roles: President of the Mt. Airy Dairy Club, Captain of the NJ State Dairy Quiz Bowl team to compete at Nationals, Farmstead Adventure Camp Counselor Ambassador/Advocacy roles: NJ State representative at the National 4-H Dairy Conference Interesting Fact: “I’m working on a concentrated study about the relationship between comfort and nutrition and growth and productivity in livestock.”
Interests/Hobbies: Basketball, Lacrosse, Travel, Working with her cows, Mentoring new and young 4-H club members Awards/Recognition: Basketball Team Captain Leadership Roles: Recording and Corresponding Secretary for Mt. Airy Dairy 4-H Club, Farmstead Adventure Camp Counselor. 4-H Fair Herdsperson, Fundraising for Charity at the Hopewell Harvest Fair, Developing food baskets for the food bank, Fundraising for 4-H team competitions Ambassador/Advocacy roles: Hopewell Valley Farm to School Program teaching students the importance of sustainable farming and good nutrition Interesting Fact: “I won a calf in the Brown’s Feeds Essay contest. I raised this calf from birth.”
Interests/Hobbies: Everything that has to do with Animals and Sports! Awards/Recognition: 1st Individual State Dairy Judging Competition, 1st place Dairy Bowl, 1st place Cattle Clipping contest, Reserve Champion in State Showmanship, 1st County Showmanship, 5th National Dairy Judging Competition, 3rd lease-a-calf County award, Medal for Record keeping, 4th Eastern division shot put Leadership Roles: Farmstead Adventure Camp Counselor, Raises her own dairy heifer to show in local and state shows Ambassador/Advocacy roles: Hunterdon County Dairy Ambassador, active member of Dairy Council and Livestock Council Sports/Teams/Clubs: Field Hockey, Varsity Winter Track, Softball, My Airy Dairy 4-H Club Interesting Fact: She loves the band, ACDC