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7.01.2010
By Tamara Scully
AFP Correspondent
Barnegat Light — Jersey Fresh food is always in season in the Garden State, but summertime is when the bounty begins in earnest, as tomatoes, corn, blueberries, peaches and more all ripen.
These farm-fresh, just-picked ingredients are the basis for any great meal — but add a bit of an ocean breeze, throw in a dollop of Jersey Fresh seafood, and mix with some local wine and beer, and you have all the right ingredients for a fund raiser which is “shore” to attract the crowds.
The New Jersey Agricultural Leadership Development Program comprises a two-year educational, hands-on opportunity specifically and exclusively designed for those involved in New Jersey agriculture.
The program explores important topics facing today’s agriculture, provides hands-on training in public speaking and debate, and fosters the development of a network of farmers and agricultural service professionals.
The class — which includes farmers from small and large farms, fishermen, Farm Bureau employees, conservation biologists, Extension professionals, nursery industry representatives, food purveyors and distributors and more — is an extremely diverse representation of those involved in New Jersey agriculture today.
NJALDP Class 8 has planned an event which celebrates the fishing background of many of its members.
The fund raiser, to be held July 10 from 1 to 5 p.m., at Viking Village Inc., is hosted by class member Robert Wiederspan, manager of processing, shipping and sales at Viking Village.
Seafood producers in the 2010 class include Betsy Haskin, an oyster farmer, and clam farmer James Allen III.
“The correlation between the seafood industry and ‘traditional agriculture’ is often overlooked, but should instead be embraced to emphasis the diversity and economic prowess of our food economy as a whole,” Thomas Beaver, NJALDP Class 2010 and a New Jersey Farm Bureau employee, said.
Seafood, in fact, contributes several million dollars to New Jersey’s food economy. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has a Jersey Seafood designation, to parallel the Jersey Fresh and Jersey Grown labels, and maintains an informative website at www.jerseyseafood.nj.gov.
Currently, a right-to-fish law is being proposed in the state, designed to protect commercial fisheries much the way farms are protected. Just like farms, sprawl development has caused conflicts between the needs of the fishing industry and the desires of those living in new developments next door.
“Taste of Summer: A Celebration of Jersey Fresh” will be a fun-filled food and drink festival spotlighting the produce, seafood, wineries, breweries and music of New Jersey. Viking Village, Bellview Winery, Flying Fish Brewing Company, Ellis Farms, Readington River Buffalo Farm, Country Boy Farms, Parson’s Seafood, Atlantic Capes Fisheries, Just Diggin It, Bishop Brothers and Creame Delights are some of the participating businesses supplying the Jersey Fresh food for this event.
New Jersey’s diverse agricultural industry will be represented at the event.
Live music, a silent auction, dock tours and prize give-aways will complement the menu for the day.
Ticket prices do not include alcoholic beverages, but do include the food.
For $30 per adult and $15 per child at the door, the food and fun come at the right price, and proceeds go to a good cause.
“The event showcases local New Jersey agricultural items that are in-season for the beginning of summer, and items that people typically don’t associate with Jersey Fresh and/or New Jersey farms, such as buffalo meat, aquaculture, the Jersey fishing industry, ice cream from our own dairy producers, wine” and more, John Parke, NJALDP class of 2010 and New Jersey Audubon Stewardship Project Director, said. “Jersey Agriculture is much more than the typical items people associate with Jersey Fresh.”
South Jersey sweet corn, cucumbers, tomatoes and more will be on the menu at the event.
While the “Taste of Summer” event will be a whole lot of fun for participants as well as organizers, its planning and execution has been part of the curriculum for the NJALDP class.
Marketing, economics, and communication skills all played vital roles in creating an event that not only will raise funds for the program, but will raise awareness about and between many different segments of New Jersey’s agricultural community.
“This event provides us with a great opportunity to take risks, work as a team and learn how to manage an event that requires a significant amount of planning and attention to detail,” Beaver said. “What’s more, this event is something that can be replicated for years to come, making it a long-range fund raising opportunity for the program.
“This event will hopefully enable us to reach a new audience and, therefore, (create) more exposure for the program.”
Visit www.njagsociety.org for a flyer and information on the “Taste of Summer” event, email: tasteofsummer.jerseyfresh@gmail.com , or call Tom Beaver at 856-701-3468.