Brookdale Fruit Farm stands as a testament to agricultural perseverance and family dedication, having been family owned and operated since 1847. Founded by Edward Hardy as a subsistence farm where summer vegetables and apples grew along stone walls, the operation began with horses for work and transportation, along with a few cows, chickens, and hogs. The family's early income came from Edward's coopering business, crafting barrels while the farm provided sustenance for both family and livestock.

The farm's transformation accelerated under Harold Hardy, who graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1910 and planted the rows of trees that formed the foundation of today's orchards. He modernized operations by building storage cellars and packing rooms, installing the first cold storage room in the early 1940s, and expanding production to include peaches, pears, cherries, strawberries, and vegetables. His vision extended beyond farming as he began selling produce directly to families who ventured out for weekend drives, laying the groundwork for the retail operation that would define the farm's future.

The farm continued evolving through subsequent generations, with the present older generation selling all livestock to focus entirely on fruit and vegetable production. They built the first Controlled Atmosphere cold storage facilities in the 1960s and established the farm stand that grew from roadside sales to its current location built in 1975. In 2000, Brookdale received recognition as one of five recipients of the Ag-Earth Partnership's Millennium Farm/Ranch Family Award for its environmental stewardship efforts. The farm has embraced modern sustainable practices, becoming one of New Hampshire's first orchards to adopt Integrated Pest Management strategies while protecting its future through the state Land Conservation Investment Program.

Vegetables

• Summer vegetables

Fruit

• Apples
• Peaches
• Pears
• Cherries
• Strawberries