New Jersey Farm Bureau News

Strings dangling from a greenhouse-like tunnel dance when a breeze blows through Shirley Kline’s small farm, a wisp of rural beauty in a cantaloupe patch.

The moment is not lost on the world-traveled farmer of 6 acres in Stow Creek Township, Cumberland County.

“If you don’t take pleasure in being out here and working and getting your hands dirty, this isn’t the life for you,” she said.

Kline represents a dwindling portion of New Jersey agriculture — the smallest acreage farms.

Click here to read more from The Press of Atlantic City.

Excitement is building around the New Jersey Farm to School program, said Mary Stein, associate director of the National Farm to School Network.

“Where New Jersey really stands out is through the school garden program. They’ve been major leaders around that movement,” Stein said.

“Those gardens are cultivated on school sites to familiarize students with gardening, food preparation, specific plants, and allow them to taste new fruits and vegetables,” said Peter Furey, executive director of the New Jersey Farm Bureau.

Beth Feehan, director of New Jersey Farm to School Network, has focused a lot of her attention on those school gardens.

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