About the Farm

Welcome to Our Farm By The Creek

Our Farm By The Creek is a hazelnut farm located in Ringoes, New Jersey. As one of the few hazelnut farms in the region, we’ve built a space where agriculture and ecology work in harmony. Here, farming is more than production—it’s a relationship with the land, the animals, and the community that surrounds us.

Our Philosophy

We believe that farming should restore and renew. That’s why we avoid synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, choosing instead regenerative organic practices that support soil health and biodiversity. Our approach reflects a deep respect for the environment and a commitment to cultivating wellness from the ground up.

Dedication to Regenerative Practices

Our farm is designed to regenerate, not deplete. We grow hazelnuts, fruits, and vegetables using crop rotation, cover cropping, composting, and integrated livestock. Sheep and goats help manage vegetation naturally, while ducks and chickens reduce pests and enrich the soil. These interwoven systems build a thriving microbial community, producing nutrient-dense food and supporting a balanced ecosystem that benefits both the land and the people who depend on it.

Sanctuary for Native Flora

We are equally committed to restoring native plant life. Invasive species are carefully removed and replaced with indigenous flowers and landscapes that support pollinators and wildlife. This work strengthens the local ecosystem, creating a vibrant and resilient environment where native flora and fauna can flourish.

Farmland Preservation

Our Farm By The Creek is part of New Jersey’s Farmland Preservation Program, a long-term commitment to keeping agricultural land in active use. This ensures that our farm remains a place of cultivation and care, preserving open space and ecological integrity for future generations of farmers and stewards.

About Me

My name is Ozgur, and I’m the founder of Our Farm By The Creek- a hazelnut farm rooted in care, curiosity, and connection, located in Ringoes, New Jersey. This farm is the culmination of a journey that began in 1998, when I planted my first garden while pursuing a PhD in Agricultural Economics.

Growing my own food was transformative. I still remember the joy on my two-year-old’s face as they bit into a sun-warmed tomato straight from the vine. Years later, my second child joined me in the garden, working the soil and savoring its gifts with the same delight. What started as a simple act of nourishment became a lifelong passion—one that deepened with every season.

For many years, gardening was my sanctuary. While building a career as a researcher in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry, I found that my professional work and personal passion fed each other in unexpected ways. Analyzing healthcare data sharpened my understanding of the profound link between nutrition and well-being. The more I studied, the more I felt compelled to grow my own food and reconnect with the rhythms of nature.

In 2021, that calling led me to a new chapter: becoming the steward of 80 acres of preserved farmland. I didn’t rush in. For a full year, I walked the land twice daily, observing and documenting everything—soil health, native growth, water flow, erosion patterns. I wanted to listen before I acted. After extensive research and collaboration with Rutgers University’s hazelnut breeding program, I chose to focus on hazelnuts—a crop close to my heart, having grown up in Turkey, the world’s leading hazelnut producer.

This farm is more than a business. It’s a living expression of my belief that when we care for the Earth with intention and respect, she responds with abundance. My vision is to cultivate a thriving ecosystem where every plant, animal, and person has a meaningful role. At Our Farm By The Creek, we grow more than food—we grow connection, resilience, and hope.

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