We ambushed Doug Fisher on Tuesday during the New Jersey Farm Bureau‘s annual,
two-day convention at the Westin in Princton.
The Secretary of Agriculture had spent a number of extremely long days prior to the event, assisting farmers and other animal owners who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. By the time he addressed the state’s agriculture community, he was noticeably tired and his voice was a bit hoarse (you’ll hear it in the video).
But the always gracious former freeholder and Assemblyman did not hesitate when we
asked for an interview.
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We’re glad he agreed because, in the five minutes that we spoke, he told us a lot about the current state of agriculture in New Jersey.You might be surprised to learn some of the things he has to say about farming. About how much acreage in this highly developed state is still given over to farming and woodlands. About the ways that farmers here have adapted to meet changing consumer needs.
In the four years that he’s led the Department of Agriculture, Fisher has crisscrossed New Jersey on scores of occasions to visit traditional farms, large and small, as well as a host
of nursery operations, farm stands, fruit and vegetable auctions, vineyards, corn mazes, aquaculture facilities, and many other varied and ever-evolving businesses that make up modern agriculture in the Garden State.
Watch the interview and you’ll see that this former grocer has developed a real passion for agriculture and a commitment to those, young and old, who pursue it.
Related:
Douglas M. Fisher’s official state biography
New Jersey’s Department of Agriculture website
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