Young Grower Recognized At New Jersey Convention

John Melick, a Hunterdon County fruit and vegetable grower, was honored February 8 as the 2011 New Jersey Outstanding Young Farmer at the New Jersey State Agricultural Convention held in Cherry Hill.

“The Melick family has a long history of being leaders in the New Jersey agricultural industry and John is carrying on that tradition,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher, who presented Melick with the award. “John has used his talents to enhance the family’s multi-faceted farming operation, which continues to grow and change to stay successful.”

Melick, 39, a tenth-generation farmer from Oldwick, also is in the running to become one of four National Outstanding Young Farmers. He is among the 10 finalists who will compete for the title at the National Outstanding Young Farmer Awards Congress in Louisville, KY, Feb. 17-20.

Melick received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Bucknell University and is a graduate of the New Jersey Agricultural Leadership Development Program. He is a leader in his community, serving as Chief of the Oldwick Fire Company. He also is a past president of the fire company, the Hunterdon County Board of Agriculture, and the New Jersey Council of Farmers and Communities.

His farm, Melick’s Town Farm, consists of pick-your-own, a cider mill, retail markets, and agritourism activities. They have the largest fruit farm in Central and Northern New Jersey, with more than 10,000 apple trees and 5,000 peach trees.

Melick advised others in the agricultural community that they must become active so they have a say in the future of the industry. “Get involved with your local and state organizations so that you can help shape policy and initiatives that are beneficial to agriculture rather than just reacting to bad regulations and legislation that might be harmful or burdensome,” said Melick.

New Jersey annually recognizes the outstanding achievements of a young grower, who is an upstanding leader, respected agriculturalist, and is active in community or faith organizations. Nominees must be farm operators, deriving a minimum of two-thirds of their income from farming and must be between the ages of 21-40, not becoming 41 prior to January 1 of the year for which they are applying.