Robert
C. Von Thun, Jr., a fourth-generation vegetable/small
fruit/flower farmer from Monmouth Junction, Middlesex
County, and his wife Cindy were chosen as one of
the four recipients of the National Outstanding
Young Farmer (OYF) Award at the 45th Annual Outstanding
Young Farmers Award Congress held recently in Omaha,
Nebraska. The three other National Award recipients
all represented the dairy industry and hailed from
Maryland, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Von Thun is the
third Garden State farmer chosen to receive the
national award since the program began in 1955.
The other two national winners from New Jersey
were Abbott Lee of Chatsworth in 1985 and Jim Giamarese
of East Brunswick in 1989. This year's event brought
25 contestants from across the nation to Omaha
to compete for the coveted National Award. Each
contestant was judged on agricultural progress
(50%), soil and water conservation practices (25%)
and service to the community, state and nation
(25%). The Von Thun family began farming in 1913
on 90 acres, selling their grain and potatoes through
wholesale markets. In 1986, Robert Von Thun formed
a partnership with his father and added 55 acres
of soybeans and 35 acres of vegetables to the farm's
production. The vegetables were sold at the farm's
small retail market. In order to expand his customer
base and gain additional marketing exposure, Von
Thun branched out into "entertainment" farming,
holding various festivals throughout the year and
gearing the activities toward children. Since 1990,
Von Thun has held agricultural education sessions
each year and as many as 10,000 children from pre-school
through second grade visit the farm. The children
learn about agriculture, the food system and natural
resource management during their visits. Von Thun's
emphasis on marketing has led him to double the
size of his retail market and add a petting zoo
for children along with pick-your-own opportunities,
hayrides and festivals. He attends six urban tailgate
farm markets during the season and also sells his
products directly to independent supermarkets.
The farm's web site (www.vonthunfarms.com) tells customers
the history of the farm and advises them of the
schedules for tailgate markets, seasonal activities,
festivals and special events. Record keeping is
critical to Von Thun's farm management and development.
Marketing records include advertising strategies
and yearly festival comparisons of income, profits
and attendance at each event. As a result of his
attention to these details, attendance at his fall
festival rose from 1,500 in 1994 to over 6,000
in 1999. The expansion of his greenhouse production
to 25,000 square feet and its profitability also
relies on good record keeping. Conservation of
natural resources and sustainable agriculture is
of the utmost importance to Von Thun. Manure generated
by the farm's livestock is used to fertilize the
soil, which are some of the most productive in
New Jersey. Management practices such as grass
waterways, side dressing of fertilizers and installation
of drywells in the greenhouses to recapture and
manage water have been implemented along with trickle
irrigation which has reduced water consumption
by as much as 80 percent and reduced fertilizer
costs by 20 percent. Through a combination of education
and public outreach, Von Thun has been able to
help create an informed public that supports our
diverse agriculture industry. Von Thun serves as
a positive role model for youth by following the
FFA motto - "learning to do, doing to learn, earning
to live, living to serve." Community service is
an important aspect of Von Thun's life. He supports
his church, local youth organizations, schools,
and other community businesses. He has been active
in numerous organizations, including the Middlesex
County Board of Agriculture, the Vegetable Growers'
Association, the Chamber of Commerce, the 4-H Leaders
Association, local school PTO, and FFA. Von Thun
has received the Honorary FFA Degree; Friend of
FFA Award; General Assembly Resolution plaque for
community service and agricultural industry involvement;
the Middlesex County Friend of 4-H Award from the
Bethany Baptist Church. Von Thun's wife Cindy shares
in all aspects of work on the farm and in the community.
An agriculture education teacher, last year she
received the FFA Advisor of the Year Award. Their
three children, Timmy, 8; Kristie, 5; and Kellie
Ann, 2; are the fifth Von Thun generation to grow
up on the farm. During the event, Karen Kritz,
New Jersey's OYF Program Manager, received the
organization's award for top Program Manager. The
award recognized Kritz's efforts to improve New
Jersey's OYF program. This is the second time Kritz
received the award since she took over the program
in 1998. The National OYF Awards Congress is administered
by the US Junior Chamber of Commerce, sponsored
by John Deere and Company and supported by the
Outstanding Farmers of America and the National
Association of County Agricultural Agents. The
purpose of the OYF program is to pay tribute to
young farmers who have made progress and contributions
in the area of agriculture. For more information
on the OYF program, contact Karen Kritz, state
OYF Program Manager, at (609) 984-2506 or email
agukrit@ag.state.nj.us.
Karen Kritz, New Jersey's Outstanding Young Farmer
(OYF) Program
Coordinator, (left) congratulates Bob and Cindy Von Thun on their
selection as one of the four recipients of the National OYF Award
at the
45th Annual OYF Congress held recently in Omaha, Nebraska. Kritz
was
also recognized for her work on the Garden State's OYF program.
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