The covered double-set hayride strolls through the farm, passing strawberry fields and blooming peach trees. On board, children clutch their empty pint baskets and glance around, full of anticipation.
After a few minutes, the hayride stops near a slightly wooded area and the children and their parents walk over to straw seats.
Part-time Johnson’s Corner Farm employee John Grillo, of Mount Laurel, is there already, armed with candy prizes and colored eggs.
After a quick story about Peter Rabbit and a “What color is this?” quiz, the children are off to grab one egg of each of the five colors — blue, yellow, red, green and orange.
When they have all five in their pints, they are awarded with a special prize: candy.
A short hayride later and the children can meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy the other activities on the farm.
The Easter Egg Hunt will take place at both 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day this week through Good Friday, and then every 20 minutes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. over the weekend, according to farm employee Donna Capri of Lumberton.
Capri began coming to the farm as a little girl and has now been employed for five years.
The farm was purchased in 1953 by the Johnsons for “the cost of a car today,” according to materials released by the farm.
Each crop is an activity, she said, in hopes that young families would be able to enjoy the farm.
The farm encompasses approximately 113 acres, including 98 of which that are in farmland preservation.
Johnson’s Corner Farm hosts a plethora of activities from opening day on March 23 to Christmas Eve.
Welcome Back Weekend is set for April 14 and 15, and the Family Fun Weekend and Tractor Show runs on April 28 and 29.
The peach trees are blooming early this year, said Capri, due to the exceptionally warm early spring weather, but they are still in good shape.
Fragrance is spread over the farm, she said.
Grillo said this time of the year is exciting due to its status as the new season.
This is his second season working part-time for the farm following his retirement from his day job.
“There’s always something to do here,” he said. “It’s a perfect part-time job,” citing the fresh air, nice people, and springtime weather.
Hundreds to even sometimes thousands of visitors, depending on the season and weather, come by the farm each day, he said.
The busiest time of the year is fall, he said, between the apple picking in September and the Fall Harvest Festivals and pumpkin picking.
In November, visitors can pick their own popcorn. It can also be purchased directly from the store.
Farmer Mac explained the difference in corn and popcorn.
Regular corn, he said, is porous. Popcorn, on the other hand, is smaller and harder. Moisture at 12 to 14 percent will make the kernel hot and steamy, and thus burst the shell — creating popcorn as we know it.
“Everything is geared toward the kids,” he said, pointing out that the trees on the farm are pruned short in order for the children to be able to reach to pick off the fruits and really experience life on a farm.
“The kids just have a ball,” said Grillo.
During summertime, the line for hand-dipped and soft-serve ice cream can reach 40 people deep, according to Grillo.
A new splash-pad can be taken advantage of this summer, said Farmer Mac.
“It’s pretty neat,” he said.
School groups frequent the farm for field trips, said Grillo.
When a group decides on a ticket package, they can decide whether or not lunch is included. If they choose to have lunch on the farm, a wheelbarrow is left at the appropriate time in the group’s numbered cubby.
A line of cubbies stretches near the group entrance.
“They’ve been doing it for so many years,” he said. “It’s orchestrated.”
Groups and families can decide if they want to include the Discovery Barnyard in their farm trip for an added fee.
Heated restrooms are on-site as well.
Back inside the store, Capri explained the Easter cookie decorating kit available for purchase at $7 per kit.
The kit includes two cookies, shaped like a rabbit, blue and white icing containers, candy, and sugar sand.
“It’s adorable,” she said. “It’s a fun activity.”
For some visitors, it might be hard to decide where to start upon entering the expansive farm.
In addition to the egg hunt, Discovery Barnyard, and various fruit picking options, the farm offers a bakery and kitchen, a garden center with two greenhouses that have recently opened, an animal farm and a gift shop.
Ticket prices vary depending on the activity.
More information can be found on their website, www.johnsonsfarm.com or by calling (609) 654–8643.
“It’s just creating memories,” Capri said.
