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Articles by Ed Wengryn
When the Farm Bill comes due (The Secretary’s Desk) Free Access
(Editor’s note: Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) Every five years (at least that’s been the “traditional” schedule) Congress passes a wide-ranging piece of legislation known as the federal Farm Bill.
Standing guard against food contamination (Off the Secretary’ Desk)
(Editor’s note: Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) One thing you can say about working in the public part of the public-private partnership at the heart of agriculture is that there’s never a dull moment.
New Jersey aims to block new invasive threat (Off The Secretary’s Desk)
(Editor’s note: Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) One thing about modern agricultural commerce — opening up world trade to American products, and vice versa, has meant that more species of insects, pests, and diseases, both members of the plant and animal kingdoms, can get unintentionally transported to places in the world they’ve never been before.
OFSA an important partner to state’s agriculture (Off the Secretary’s Desk)
(Editor’s note: Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) There may be no higher calling in all of agriculture than ensuring that residents near you – actually, just about anywhere – are secure in being able to access nourishing food.
Pure Flavor Rocco Reds tomato earns Chef’s Choice title
Pure Flavor Rocco Reds tomato earns Chef’s Choice title May 25, 2026 Pure Flavor's Rocco Reds were awarded Chef’s Choice recognition at the Annual Greenhouse Competition held at the Leamington Fair on Friday, May 22, further cementing its title as “The Chef’s Tomato.” Greenhouse growers from across the region gathered to showcase the quality, consistency and innovation behind locally grown produce.
In the Trenches: Source-packed cut produce offers significant savings in time, labor and waste
In the Trenches: Source-packed cut produce offers significant savings in time, labor and waste By Ron Pelger May 25, 2026 In today’s fast-paced world, shoppers want to get in and out of stores quickly. With changing lifestyles and eating habits, customers now look for food options that are not only healthier, but also more convenient, making their shopping experience faster and more efficient.
Keeping Jersey Fresh and its benefits top of mind
Keeping Jersey Fresh and its benefits top of mind By Ed Wengryn, New Jersey secretary of agriculture. May 25, 2026 It’s great to be back addressing the state of New Jersey’s produce industry for readers of The Produce News and to take this look-ahead to our upcoming produce seasons.
CMI expects earlier cherry harvest, strong momentum
CMI expects earlier cherry harvest, strong momentum By Asher Campbell May 25, 2026 CMI Orchards is optimistic about this season’s crop size, despite some challenging spring weather. Cold temperatures during bloom impacted some growing regions, reducing Northwest crop projections to the range of 18.4 to 19.2 million boxes, approximately 20 percent lighter than last season. However, Kaci Komstadius, marketing manager at CMI pointed out that from a timing standpoint, the season is shaping up well.
Markets division keeps public’s eyes, ears on N.J. ag (Off the Secretary’s Desk)
(Editor’s note: Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) For many people, the first thing that comes to mind when they hear “New Jersey agriculture” is “Jersey Fresh” and the products they see from late April through November in retail venues promoting in-season fruits, vegetables, and other products branded in the “Jersey Fresh” program, which is run by our Division of Marketing and Development (aka “Markets”).
Division of Plant Industry protects greenery (Off the Secretary’s Desk)
(Editor’s note: Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) New Jersey agriculture is, to borrow a buzz word from the culinary-health world, “plant-based.” The largest sector of our state’s agricultural industry, by a significant margin, is the nursery/greenhouse/sod/Christmas trees and other ornamental greenery (collectively known as the “nursery sector”) that generates approximately $700 million annually in revenue, according to the latest USDA statistics.
Division of Ag and Natural Resources casts wide net (Off the Secretary’s Desk)
Starting last month, I began highlighting the various divisions that make up the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, by taking a look at our biggest unit, the Division of Food & Nutrition. This month, we spotlight the Department’s most diverse unit, the Division of Agricultural & Natural Resources, under the leadership of Director Frank Minch.
A peek behind the curtain of the NJDA
(Editor’s note: Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) As we approach the new year, I wanted to take a moment to highlight and reflect on the Division of Food and Nutrition here at the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and share the stories behind their impactful work. The Division of Food and Nutrition, our largest division, is led by Rose Chamberlain, who has served as Director since 2011.
Another year of challenges and opportunities (Off the Secretary’s Desk)
(Editor’s note: Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) As we come to the end of another year, it’s our annual cue to look back and see all that’s been accomplished over the last 12 months. Each year in agriculture, there are new opportunities and challenges, some of which are familiar and some which are brand new and sometimes daunting. Last November, just about a year ago, we became aware of challenges facing some of our farm dairy processors.
2026 is the ‘Year of the Woman Farmer’ (Off the Secretary’s Desk)
(Editor’s note: Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) Globally, the role of women working in agriculture is important in building food system stability, improving economic growth, and community development. To that end, the United States proposed, and the United Nations General Assembly adopted, a resolution declaring 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, marking a global commitment to empowering and recognizing women’s contributions to agriculture.
Safety and health on the farm (Off the Secretary’s Desk)
(Editor’s note: Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) The recent loss of John Hunter in an on-farm accident reminds all of us how dangerous farm work can be. Moving parts on farm equipment can be a hazard if that machine is not operated carefully, and even sometimes when it is being handled correctly.
Each year, as New Jersey’s agricultural industry members gather in Atlantic City for the annual State Agricultural Convention, someone inevitably makes a joke about not going into the casino because farmers already gamble it all every season. There’s a lot of truth behind that jovial comment. In no other industry is the owner of a business so completely at the mercy of natural events, most importantly the weather.
Preserving a future for agriculture (Off The Secretary’s Desk)
(Editor’s note: By Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) When you look at New Jersey’s land mass on a map, it really is amazing how often the state is on lists for producing large amounts of any number of healthy, nutritious agricultural products in large numbers. The innovation of our farmers and the high quality of the soil are a part of what contributes to our agricultural industry’s successes.
Just another ‘nutty’ idea? (Off the Secretary’s Desk)
One of the first rules of investing is to buy stocks in the products you use. The same could be said for investing in an agricultural operation. If you are a fan of Nutella or those golden wrapped balls of chocolate deliciousness by Ferrero Rocher, the agriculture product for you might just be hazelnuts. With the seemingly insatiable demand for all things hazelnut, the potential for more growers in the United States to get started in the hazelnut industry would seem quite attractive.
Biological controls for new era of fighting invasives (Off the Secretary’s Desk)
(Editor’s note: Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) Even if you’ve never seen the first movie in the “Alien” franchise (which I haven’t) you’ve probably seen its most famous scene, the one in which an alien incubating inside one space traveler shockingly bursts out through his chest while the spaceship’s crew is gathered around the dinner table.
Do farmers get SAD? (Off the Secretary’s Desk)
(Editor’s note: Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) Fall is coming to an end and winter is about to set in. The fields are harvested, equipment is washed, and repairs are underway. It’s a chance to take things easy for a bit. Even though it seemed to be a good harvest and the holidays are approaching, you have been feeling moody since the time change in early November. There is a lack of energy, and you are even sleeping in longer than you normally do.
Uncorking potential (Off the Secretary’s Desk)
As summer comes to an end across New Jersey, the fall harvest season begins. With fall, we think pumpkins and apple picking, hayrides and corm mazes, even though the bounty of our summer crops continues, with sweet corn, tomatoes, peaches, and squashes still available. The return of cooler air also brings back the crops that have either a second or first harvest in autumn — lettuces, cabbages, kale, and other greens and herbs.
A farmer’s education never ends (Off the Secretary’s Desk)
(Editor’s note: Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) Everyone is familiar with the four seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall. In agriculture each of these seasons come with their own work, such as equipment repair and service in winter planting in spring, marketing and harvest in summer and fall. There is also another season that happens each fall.
Keeping farmers, schools connected in summer (Off the Secretary’s Desk)
New Jersey’s school-feeding programs have been honored as among the best in the nation since transferring to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Division of Food & Nutrition in 1997. That move made Food & Nutrition the largest division in the NJDA. This division has three program areas, the major one being the school feeding programs. This includes school lunch and breakfast, school milk, after school snacks, and summer food service programs.
Our changing weather and farm work (Off the Secretary’s Desk)
(Editor’s note: Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) Farmers the world over face a foe that few other professions must tangle with — the weather. Sure, other industries in which people work outside might have to bend to the inconvenience of a storm, or extreme heat and cold, and not be able to get work done for a day or two.
Taking the reins at NJDA (Off the Secretary’s Desk)
(Editor’s note: Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) As the new Secretary of Agriculture for New Jersey, one of the opportunities that comes with the job is the ability to address you, the Garden State’s hardworking farmers, once a month on the major issues facing agriculture and how the NJDA, along with its partners in agricultural advocacy, is working to address them.
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