4 October 2020
GardenerNews.com
Every season is special, particularly where there is so much change from each. Living in a temperate climate, we get to see everything in the change of seasons – from sweltering heat and humidity in the summer to blizzards and ice storms in winter, and everything in between in spring and autumn. That familiarity with wild swings from season to season has served us well as we have seen the dramatic changes in everything from sports to commerce that has come our way thanks to COVID-19. What a year, where one day the country was operating normally, so differently than it is now. Everything was wide open and operating on all eight cylinders. Restaurants were having some of the biggest years. Travel and entertainment were soaring to new heights and commerce was generally good across a wide array of industries. Then COVID came ashore in the United States and around the world. Suddenly, so much changed and we have been acting differently and trying to adjust to the new conditions. On good days, we get to see the relaxation of some restrictions on businesses and the light at the end of the tunnel seems attainable. In the world of agriculture,
While we all have missed our favorite restaurants during the pandemic, many of us have rediscovered the simply, real pleasure of preparing our own meals at home and having them around a table with those closest to us. This renaissance of the cookedat-home meal and the traditional family dinner around the table, where the day’s events can be discussed and connections can be reinforced, is something we should strive to keep around, even after post-COVID life returns to “normal.”
NJ Dept. of Agriculture By Douglas H. Fisher Secretary of Agriculture
Some of what COVID has brought us should stay adjustments had to be made and our farmers did not hesitate. Faced with monumental decisions in March, they forged ahead and planted their crops, tended their livestock and hoped they would be able to continue what they know so well – farming – so that we all can be provided for, no matter how severe things get. Farming in any year can be a risky proposition, what with weather, pests, diseases, and any other number of risks making each season a gamble. The uncertainty of what, if any, traditional customers farmers would have once they brought their crops to harvest and livestock to market, was an added risk this year. Its noble work and fortunately the public responded by patronizing the farm community in New Jersey with overwhelming support. So, on
that note, I sincerely want to thank you on behalf of our farmers for understanding the risks they take each and every day they go out in the pastures and fields and face the elements with optimism. So, it’s October and now you can do something for yourself that can give further encouragement that involves more than only buying a product. This is the time of year in New Jersey when those farmers who engage in agri-tourism really kick that aspect of their businesses into high gear. Harvest gatherings, hayrides, corn mazes and a long list of other on-farm activities provide our farmers with additional sales that help keep their businesses vital and agriculture’s contributions to the state’s economy rolling. If you are thinking of enjoying some agri-tourism activities this
fall, please keep in mind that some of the social-distancing, personal protective equipment and crowd-size requirements that COVID generated may still be in place. I urge you to follow the rules posted by the farm owners, as well as those regulations that have been put in place by state and local governments. The farms have these rules in place for the benefit of you and your family. Please appreciate all the farms are doing to keep you safe and, just as importantly, please avoid causing conflicts between them and their communities by following the rules. One of the other great lessons (or perhaps it’s a reinforcement of a longstanding lesson) that has come from the COVID-19 pandemic is how we all benefit when we develop a deeper appreciation for the real things in life.
Editor’s Note: Douglas H. Fisher is New Jersey’s Secretary of Agriculture. He is the department’s executive officer, secretary to the State Board of Agriculture and a member of the Governor’s cabinet. Secretary Fisher fulfills executive, management and administrative duties prescribed by law, executive order or gubernatorial direction. He can be reached at 609.292.3976. For more info, please visit: http:// www.state.nj.us/agriculture
New Members Take Seats on N.J. State Board of Agriculture Sussex County farmer Holly Systema and Cumberland County farmer Barney Hollinger today were sworn in to their terms on the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture during a special virtual meeting of the Board. The session also included the annual officer reorganization where Hunterdon County’s Erick Doyle was elected President and Cape May County’s Alfred Natali Vice President. “Holly Systema and Barney Hollinger have a vast amount of knowledge and experience in agriculture in general and in their particular sectors, and will bring valuable perspectives to the State Board,” New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher said. “They will serve New Jersey farmers with great purpose, continuing the mission of advancing agriculture in our state.” Systema and her husband Will
Systema, who was New Jersey’s Outstanding Young Farmer Award winner in 2009, own and operate Windy Flats Dairy in Wantage. It is a third and fourth generation farm that has a combined 250 dairy and beef cattle. The farm is approximately 800 acres and grows corn, soybeans, oats, rye, alfalfa and grassy hay. Windy Flats is located adjacent to the Sunrise Mountain Valley, just minutes from the Appalachian Trail and is a stop on the Tour de Farm Sussex County cycling race, one of two events in the New Jersey Tour de Farm cycling series. Holly Systema has served on the Sussex County Board of Agriculture and is a member of the Sussex County Milk Producers, Sussex County Ag Society, New Jersey Holstein Association, and the New Jersey Farm Bureau. She also served three terms on
the Farm Service Agency, County Committee. Hollinger is the Special Projects Manager at Cape May Salt Oyster Farms in Port Norris, which is an oyster producing aquaculture company that harvested 2.5 million oysters while producing 18 million seed oysters in 2019. The company has the goal of selling five million oysters in 2020. Cape May Salt features an intertidal farm as well as a deepwater farm. The company runs boats five days a week during its prime season, and sorts, cleans, and sizes each oyster during its 18-24 month grow out. The oysters are packed at Cape May Salt and then shipped across the continental United States. Hollinger has served on the Cumberland County Board of Agriculture for four years, including two as vice-president. He
also has been the Chairman for the Delaware Bay Shellfish Council for the last 10 years and is a member of the Marine Fishery Council and the Aquaculture Advisory Council representing Commercial Fishing. He also has been a board member of the Cumberland County Empowerment Zone, is a member of the Port Norris Historical Society, and the Bay Shore Center. Doyle has served on the board since 2016 and Natali has served on the board since 2017. Doyle is a livestock farmer in Stanton and Natali is a vineyard and winery owner in Cape May Courthouse. The State Board of Agriculture comprises eight members who serve for four years. By law, at least four of its members must represent the top commodity groups in the state. For more information, visit www.nj.gov/agriculture/about/sba.