After Department of Agriculture Secretary Douglas Fisher retired, Assistant Secretary Joe Atchison III took over the responsibilities. The State Board of Agriculture appointed a new secretary in late March — Secretary Edward D. Wengryn. He is the eighth person appointed to the position since 1916.

“Whether it’s climate change, food insecurity, animal health and welfare, or the increase in invasive species from worldwide trade, agriculture as an industry must be a key player in adapting methods of production and distribution to fit our changing world. We’re also seeing incredible growth in opportunities farmers can find to market their fresh agricultural products and services like agri-tourism to residents of New Jersey and beyond,” said Holly Sytsema, the president of the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture.

The secretary supports programs relating to economic development, marketing products through the Jersey Fresh program,  conservation, distribution of surplus to soup kitchens and the wellbeing of the state’s greenhouse and livestock industries.