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The New Jersey State Board of Agriculture, an eight-member body created by statute, serves as the policy-making and general head of the Department. By law, at least four of the members must represent the top four commodity groups in the state based on a two-year average of the gross value of production. Each member serves a four-year term, with two members replaced annually by new members elected at the State Agricultural Convention and appointed by the Governor with the approval of the State Senate. The term of a State Board member begins in July.

The Board is charged with setting policies which direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture in carrying out its duties and responsibilities. The Board holds public meetings monthly, regional open meetings twice a year and any other special sessions which may be required by developments affecting the Garden State's agriculture industry.

Photo of the members of the 09-10 State Board of Agriculture 

2009/2010 NJ State Board of Agriculture (L to R):
Al Murray, Assistant Secretary, Jim Giamarese, Hugh McKittrick, Andrew Borisuk, Scott Ellis-Board Vice President, Dr. Lewis DeEugenio, Roger Kumpel-Board President, Henry DuBois, Ann Dorsett, Secretary Douglas H. Fisher
 
Current members of the State Board and the facets of the industry they represent include:
Board Member
Industry
Term Expires
Roger Kumpel
President 
Southampton		 Hay/Grain 2010
W. Scott Ellis
Vice President 
Yardville		 Vegetable 2011
Hugh McKittrick
Colts Neck		 Nursery 2010
Ann Dorsett
Woolwich		 Equine 2011
Andrew Borisuk
Vernon		 Hay/Grain 2012
Henry DuBois Jr.
Pittsgrove		 Vegetable 2012
Dr. Lewis DeEugenio
Glassboro		 Fruit 2013
James Giamarese
East Brunswick		 Vegetable 2013
 
State Agricultural Convention
Members of the State Board of Agriculture are elected by delegates from the agriculture community to the legislatively-established, annual State Agricultural Convention in January then recommended to the Governor for appointment to the Board with the approval of the State Senate. Farmer-members of the State Fish and Game Council are also selected at the convention.

Two special kinds of awards are also presented each year at the convention:

Distinguished Service and Outstanding Young Farmer.

 
Distinguished Service Awards
In addition, several Distinguished Service Awards are presented at the Convention each year to honor lifetime service to the agriculture industry and professional accomplishments that contributed to the advancement of the industry. For more information about the criteria for the award and a nomination form.
 
Outstanding Young Farmer
New Jersey's Outstanding Young Farmer (OYF) is selected from nominees submitted by agricultural organizations such as county boards of agriculture; commodity, breed and general farm organizations; machinery, seed or farm supply dealers; lending institutions; local chapters of the Junior Chamber of Commerce; and others including former NJ OYF winners who are members of the Outstanding Farmers of America. A panel of judges selects the year's honoree. Click for additional information or a nomination form. The OYF award is also part of the program at the Outstanding Young Citizens banquet held each year by the New Jersey Junior Chamber of Commerce. At the national level, the OYF program is the oldest farmer recognition program in the United States, dating back to 1955. The national OYF program is administered by the US Junior Chamber of Commerce. Click here for a list of past recipients.