NEWS FROM THE NJ STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE Thank You Douglas H. Fisher

One of my first introductions to the Gardener News occurred while supporting a couple state organizations. I was working through a New Jersey Agriculture Leadership Development Certification and was presented with an opportunity to take a seat on the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture.

From nursery representative as the owner/operator of Copper Creek Nursery, to President of the State Board, those years have offered me opportunities to work behind the scenes to evaluate and award grants for the advancement of agricultural studies and marketing support. Additionally, the position offered me the chance to meet and influence the public sector on critical legislation related to agricultural commodities. Then, a couple weeks ago, I was asked to write a piece on Secretary Fisher, which for me is a true honor.

Douglas H. Fisher, appointed Secretary of Agriculture for NJ in 2009, is stepping down from his post on July 1, 2023. Doug is the seventh person to hold this post since 1916 and has served under three administrations, which is a testament to his commitment to the State of New Jersey and the constituents he serves. Secretary Fisher has taken an “all in” stance to bring together farmers, gardeners, contractors, and most recently urban agriculturalists.

The Secretary himself is an avid gardener, which is one of the main reasons he contributed monthly to the Gardener News and his articles will be missed. Doug’s column featured articles like his aggressive fight of the Spotted Lantern Fly. With NJ being a bordering state of Pennsylvania where the pest was first discovered, he pursued resources from both state and federal levels to eradicate the pest. Another featured article articulated work done on behalf of farmers, nurseries, and garden centers, ensuring they were designated as “essential businesses” during COVID so they could stay open. The pursuit offered New Jersey residents who “garden” access to the products they needed, as well as highlighted the benefits to mental and physical health of residents who were restricted from moving off their properties. No other state around New Jersey made this move, and Doug was complimented on his foresight for this pursuit.

One of Doug’s consistent themes throughout his tenure has been on the topic of promoting New Jersey growing as well as protecting New Jersey’s soils. Doug has put many hours into increasing the number of growers who participate in the Jersey Grown (Fresh) promotional programs as well as developing a Jersey Natives branding program. Between a stance where that soil in New Jersey must be preserved and advocating for Agri-tourism, Doug has supported business growth that in-turn keeps NJ farms financially viable. Doug’s pursuit of programs on behalf of agriculture has contributed to the growth of the commodity within the state, ranking food and agriculture as the third largest industry in New Jersey according to the NJ.gov press release last August.

While New Jersey ranks 40th out of the 50 states in the United States according to NJFuture.org, the ranking has not dampened Secretary Fisher’s pursuits. Doug was a strong supporter of the federal government with the declaration of hemp as a legal agricultural crop. He envisioned New Jersey’s role as encouraging farmers here to plant “fiber hemp” versus flower hemp. With the current flower hemp market glutted in recent years, the shift in focus to fiber hemp will allow for expansion into Petroplastics in packaging, building materials and other items.

During Secretary Fisher’s time as Secretary of Agriculture, he received numerous awards as a leader, like the Thomas W. Kelly New Jersey Food and Council Government Service Award. Doug has been a role model for young NJ residents and received an Honorary American FFA Degree. As mentioned earlier in this article, Doug has been “all-in”. He gave his time and talents through numerous hours at any time of the day to organizations, clubs and businesses, offering insight as to how to align public pursuits with those in the private sector with gentle guidance and cooperative conversation. Doug has supported the State Board of Agriculture in the capacity of a servant leader – ensuring that all pursuits are in the best interest of the State of New Jersey.

I have had the privilege of working with Secretary Fisher these past four years. He was a mentor to me as I took on the position of State Board President, and a trusted advisor over these past months as critical legislation has been discussed by the Board. I recently had the opportunity to sit one-on-one with Doug. Doug’s advice to me is to think differently, and to stay true to a pursuit even in a political environment. I want to take this opportunity to wish Secretary Doug Fisher the very best as he enters a new chapter in his life. My hope for him, his wife Bonnie, and three children, Susan, Eric and Carly, is that Doug can get back to his passion of gardening and sit back and watch all the programs he initiated and built blossom.

Editor’s Note: David DeFrange is currently a member of the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture. The State Board of Agriculture is an eight-member body established by the New Jersey Legislature to set the broad agricultural policies of the Department of Agriculture. The Board is a part of the executive branch of State Government. DeFrange can be reached at (609) 292-3976.