By: Follow South Jersey Staff
PITTSGROVE, N.J. — Pittsgrove resident Byron DuBois was named New Jersey’s 2024 Outstanding Young Farmer at the 2024 National Outstanding Young Farmers Awards Congress that was held in Ferndale, Washington recently.
DuBois, a seventh-generation farmer, co-owns and runs Spring Brook Farms in Pittsgrove along with his father.
“It was a whirlwind of emotions this past week as [my wife] Karen and I were blessed to represent New Jersey and Spring Brook Farms at the Outstanding Farmers of America (OFA) Congress as a top 10 national finalist of their National Outstanding Young Farmers (NOYF) program,” Byron DuBois stated in a press release from the NJ Department of Agriculture. “All of the couples are amazing people and all well-deserved of their recognition. We were honored and humbled to have been chosen as one of the top four. It really could have been anyone in this great class of 2024.”
The criteria for the award is based on their soil and water conservation practices, contributions to the community, and overall progress of their agricultural career. DuBois was one of four national winners.
“I want to thank my parents, Henry and Marlene, for all the opportunities and support,” DuBois said. “My sister, Crystal, for her hard work and dedication to the farm, my cousin, Steve, for always being there no matter what time of day, and every one of the Spring Brook Farms family current and past. Without these hard-working dedicated people, we could not do what we do. I am looking forward to growing lifelong friendships with the NOYF Class of 2024 as well as the many other members of the OFA.”
According to the Outstanding Farmers of America website, “the purpose of the Outstanding Young Farmers Program is to bring about a greater interest in the farmer to foster better urban-rural relations through the understanding of the farmers’ endeavors, to develop a further appreciation for their contributions and achievements, and to inform the agribusiness community of the growing urban awareness of farmers’ importance and impact on America’s economy.”
National winners receive a cash award from the Outstanding Farmers of America, given the opportunity to travel to Washington. D.C., for National Agriculture Week in 2025, and attend the 2025 National Outstanding Farmer Congress.
“The work Byron and his family have done over the past several years made them an exemplary candidate and we are proud they were recognized nationally with this honor,” NJDA Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Joe Atchison III stated in the press release. “Byron’s passion for agriculture and vision for his family’s operation has made Spring Brook one of the outstanding farms in New Jersey as well as being a shining example to other farms in our state and the country.”
Spring Brook Farms is a 4,000 acre family-owned farm that grows mainly carryover spinach, spring spinach, fall spinach, winter spinach, sweet corn, tomatoes, field corn, soybeans, and wheat.
According to the NJ Department of Agriculture, “DuBois has led the farm’s efforts to become more efficient in many facets of the operation. This includes upgrading equipment for quicker spinach and tomato harvests, and using GPS technology for more precise planting, harvesting and treatment methods. The farm also uses detailed mapping information to find specific soil types in fields, which in turn has led to more economical use of fertilizers and irrigation.” The farm also takes part in the USDA’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and Natural Resources Conservation Service Irrigation Water Management Programs that helps reduce soil erosion.
For more information on New Jersey’s Outstanding Young Farmer program, go to https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/about/sba/cover.html or contact Assistant Secretary/Marketing and Development Division Director Joe Atchison at joe.atchison@ag.nj.gov.
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