(TRENTON) – Ashleigh Dickson, of Montague in Sussex County, has been chosen as the 2023 New Jersey Agricultural Fair Ambassador. The 17-year-old Sussex County Technical High School student was selected by the Agricultural Fair Association of New Jersey.

As ambassador, Dickson is charged with visiting the state’s agricultural fairs in 2023, promoting agriculture to the public, and bringing people together to support the state’s farmers.

“Ashleigh’s leadership and participation with various industry-related organizations has prepared her to be an outstanding representative at our state’s agricultural fairs this summer,” New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher said. “The Ag Fair Ambassador is an important role for ag education in the Garden State.”

Dickson is president of the Sussex Shepherds 4-H Club, where she has won Grand Champion Overall honors for Ram, Ewe, and Market Lamb during the past three years at the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show. She also earned the Outstanding Shepherd Award and the Member of the Year Award.

“I just like to advocate for agriculture,” Dickson said. “When I was little, I didn’t know what it was, but I ended up joining 4-H and it changed my whole future.”

Dickson is also president of the Sussex Tech FFA Chapter, where she was previously the Vice-President and Sentinel in each of the last two years. She has earned a Chapter FFA Degree and a Greenhand FFA Degree. Dickson’s Cascading Bouquet and Harvest Festival arrangement each took first place prizes in the 2022 FFA Horticulture Exposition Career Development Event. She also earned high placings in Floral Design, Meats Evaluation and Technology, Livestock Evaluation, Floriculture, and Fruit and Vegetable Evaluation.

“My involvement with agriculture has helped me become a more active member of my community,” Dickson said. “It has helped me to learn to work with others, and plan ahead, as well as with responsibility, accountability, diligence, independence, and leadership, and has also taught me the importance of giving back to the community.”

Dickson has been involved with the community by being a Junior Firefighter at the Montague Volunteer Fire Department, is a member of the Girl Scouts of America, the Montague Grange, and the New Jersey Farm Bureau. Once she graduates high school this spring, Dickson plans to stay involved in agriculture by majoring in Agricultural Business, attending Sussex County Community College.

“I think that agriculture is one of the most rewarding and important industries because it affects everyone from the biggest cities to the smallest of neighborhoods,” Dickson said. “When you are involved in agriculture you know that you have an impact on a lot of people.”

This is the 19th 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.

“I want to make it to as many fairs as possible,” Dickson said. “I have some family in South Jersey, so hopefully I can hopefully to some of those down there as well.” 

There are 19 agricultural fairs currently scheduled throughout the state for this summer, including the New Jersey State Fair at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. The earliest fair is held in late June, with the final fair of the season in mid-September.

For the full schedule of New Jersey’s agricultural fairs go to https://bit.ly/3Dlv2KY.