Seven farmers and others actively involved in New Jersey agriculture received Distinguished Service to Agriculture Citations from the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture during the New Jersey State Agricultural Convention.
Mel Henninger, former extension specialist in vegetable crops at Rutgers.
Those honored at the Joint Agricultural Convention Dinner Banquet were Dave Bond, Sam Conard, Alan Danser, Dan Farrand, Monique Purcell, David Van Vorst, each for 2022, along with 2021 winner Dr. Mel Henninger, who was recognized at the virtual convention in 2021 but received his award in-person during this year’s Ag Convention.
“Each of these individuals is highly regarded for their experience, expertise and contributions that have benefitted agriculture in the Garden State,” NJDA Secretary Douglas Fisher said. “Their devotion to farming in New Jersey is legendary.”
Henninger graduated from Penn State University with a degree in agronomy and returned there to earn his masters and Ph.D. in agronomy.
Before becoming a professor emeritus for the last 10 years at Rutgers, he spent 39 and a half years of his career as an extension specialist in vegetable crops at Rutgers. His career included nine years as department chair.
Henninger was active on the national level, having been president and vice president of the Potato Association of America. He also is a former director of the New Jersey Agribusiness Association, has been a long-time member of the American Society of Agronomy, The American Society of Horticulture Science, and the New Jersey Agricultural Society, among others.
Read more at NJDA website.
