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Photo of the 2012 NJ Ag Fair Ambassador - Click to enlarge
For Immediate Release: November 10, 2011
Contact: Lynne Richmond 
(609) 633-2954

(TRENTON) – Allison Lessig of Milford will serve as the 2012 New Jersey Agricultural Fair Ambassador.  The 17-year-old Delaware Valley Regional High School Senior was selected by the Agricultural Fair Association of New Jersey at the group’s annual meeting on Sunday, November 6 in Eastampton.

“Allison, a long-time 4-H member, has spent the last several years spreading the word about the benefits of 4-H membership and living the agricultural lifestyle,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher.  “She is well prepared to be the spokesperson for New Jersey agriculture and a mentor for young people when she attends our state’s agricultural fairs next summer.”

As ambassador, Lessig is charged with visiting the state’s agricultural fairs in 2012, discussing the fairs, promoting agritourism to the public, and bringing people together to support the state’s agriculture industry. 

“The way I see those of the agricultural community living their lives with passion, integrity and hard work is inspiring and contagious,” wrote Lessig in her contest essay.  “For these reasons, what living in an agricultural society does and how it contributes to everyday life makes agriculture more than just a hobby.  It also makes it one of the most important things in my life and holds a special place in my heart.”

While Lessig did not grown up on a farm, she lives in an agricultural area, raises chickens and breeds Labrador Retrievers.  She does landscaping work at a veterinary hospital and has worked in a kennel grooming dogs and maintaining the facilities.

She was selected as the 2012 Hunterdon County 4-H Fair Ambassador, is the President of the Hunterdon County Fur N Feathers Club, and breeds and shows Fancy Poultry.

In addition, she attended the 2011 New Jersey American Legion Girls State and 2011 Citizenship Washington Focus, is Corresponding Secretary of the Hunterdon County Junior Leaders Club and is captain of her high school soccer team.

Lessig said the Fur N Feathers Club performs community service by holding petting zoos of small animals, such as chickens, ducks, quail, and guinea pigs to teach people about 4-H.

“4-H has positively impacted my life in every aspect – I have more confidence and I have learned how to take care of myself, as well as the animals that also benefit me,” she said.  “I also have developed one of my favorite and most effective qualities of communication.”

Lessig said she plans to attend every agricultural fair and discuss with other youth ambassadors how the fairs can be improved.  She also wants to reach out to the youth and make them aware of the opportunities to join the agricultural community.

“I feel like I bring an exciting passion to the role,” said Lessig.  “It’s something we’ve always had but I want to extend it to those who may not be a part of the ag community.  Not everyone in New Jersey knows where the garden is in the Garden State, but each fair has its own unique experience that’s worth sharing with every citizen.”

This is the ninth year the Agricultural Fair Association of New Jersey has named an ambassador.  In choosing an ambassador, the Association seeks a good representation of young people active in agriculture in the Garden State and their county fair. 

Selected First Runner-up in the competition was Alexa Forman of Jackson and Second Runner-up was Rachel Lindsay Danitz of Great Meadows.

There were 18 agricultural fairs in the state this past summer, including the New Jersey State Fair at the Sussex County Fairgrounds.  The earliest fair is held at the end of May, with the final fair of the season in late August.

For more information on New Jersey’s agricultural fairs, visit www.njagfairs.com.