A graduate of Belvidere High School, Race received a bachelor of science degree in agriculture from Rutgers University in 1951. Upon graduation, Race joined the family's business, operating the farm in partnership with his father until 1967. The farm operation consisted of 220 acres of field crops, 30 acres of small fruits and vegetables and 100 dairy cows. Race continues to farm part-time and the operation now includes one of the largest, exclusively pick-your-own strawberry farms in the area.

Race joined the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) in 1967, serving as the Executive Secretary for the State Soil Conservation Committee until his retirement in May 2001. As Executive Secretary, Race was responsible for directing all facets of NJDA's natural resource conservation and management program, including coordination of a statewide network of 16 local soil conservation districts.

Race is past president of the National Association of State Soil Conservation Administrators; a member of the New Jersey Commission on Environmental Education, the National Association of Conservation Districts, the International Soil and Water Conservation Society, and the New Jersey Forestry Association as well as many other conservation groups. He served as an advisor to the New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts and is a member of the New Jersey Agricultural Society.

A member of the Water Management Committee of the Delaware River Basin Commission representing agricultural concerns, he was instrumental in establishing, and served as chairman of, the Regional Leadership Team for the Northeast Conservation Partnership, serving the New England and Mid-Atlantic states. Race also served as the department's representative to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's State Sludge Disposal Task Force and to a number of similar organizations.

Locally, he is a member and past president of the Warren County Board of Agriculture; chairman of the White Township Zoning Board of Adjustment; member and past president of the White Township Board of Education; past chairman of the State Dairy Princess Committee; and past president of the Belvidere Rotary Club.

Race was selected to Alpha Zeta, the National Collegiate Honorary Agricultural Fraternity, and received the citation for Outstanding Performance to the State of New Jersey from Governor William T. Cahill in 1971. He also received the 1989 Professional Service Award presented by the National Association of Conservation Districts.

Race and his wife Jean will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary this year. They have three children, Amy, Carol and William.

In recognition of his tireless service to the agricultural community, the State Board of Agriculture is pleased to present Samuel R. Race with its citation for Distinguished Service to New Jersey Agriculture.