Danny Childs has built a career around helping people see food and drink through a different lens, and this week, that philosophy came to life at Folks Farm in Moorestown.
As part of Folks Farm’s new Seed to Supper immersive agricultural and culinary series, the James Beard Award-winning author and beverage expert led an unforgettable evening exploring the fascinating world of botanical beverages. The event wasn’t simply a demonstration—it was a hands-on educational experience that connected guests directly to the land beneath their feet.
Participants spent the evening tasting, fermenting, and experimenting with ingredients harvested from the farm, nearby fields, and even South Jersey’s wild landscapes. Along the way, they discovered how native plants, herbs, flowers, fruits, and other botanicals can be transformed into everything from refreshing craft sodas to layered, complex fermented beverages.
It’s the type of experience that’s becoming increasingly rare in today’s fast-paced world. Rather than simply buying a finished product off a shelf, guests learned where flavors originate, how fermentation works, and why understanding local ecosystems can inspire entirely new culinary creations.
The event is part of Folks Farm’s recently launched Seed to Supper program, an educational series designed to reconnect people with the origins of their food through interactive workshops, farm dinners, and experiences led by respected chefs, farmers, and food experts. The program reflects the farm’s broader mission to strengthen the connection among agriculture, sustainability, and the local community.
Bringing someone of Danny Childs’ caliber to South Jersey highlights the growing reputation of the region’s food scene. Known for his work exploring wild ingredients and sustainable beverage traditions, Childs encouraged participants to look beyond conventional ingredients and appreciate the incredible diversity growing all around them.
When SJFS asked Danny about the experience, he said, “It was an amazing experience to see so many eyes open to the edible ingredients all around us. Even the farmers, Bryce and Annie, had no idea all the other edible ingredients out there (in addition to their delicious peaches and apples).”
South Jersey has long been recognized for its fertile farmland and thriving agricultural heritage, but programs like Seed to Supper are showing that farming is about much more than growing produce. It’s about education, creativity, community, and inspiring people to think differently about the food and beverages they enjoy every day.
Experiences like this also demonstrate why farms are becoming destinations in their own right. Visitors aren’t just shopping for fresh vegetables—they’re learning new skills, meeting experts, and gaining a deeper appreciation for the people and landscapes that make South Jersey’s agricultural community so special.
As the Seed to Supper series continues, Folks Farm is creating something that extends well beyond the dinner table: a place where curiosity is cultivated alongside crops, and every season offers an opportunity to discover something new.
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Special thanks to Brianna Lee Photography for permission to use the photos.
SJFS is dedicated to food, dining, restaurants, and drinking in South Jersey. Got a news tip? Email southjerseyfoodscene@gmail.com.