New Jersey Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Danielle Wainwright and Michelle Infante-Casella.
Michelle Infante-Casella, agricultural agent and department head, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County, was recognized as a “Woman of the Year” by the New Jersey Farm Bureau (NJFB) Women’s Leadership Committee on November 17. Infante-Casella was also recognized with a New Jersey Legislative Joint Commendation from Senator John Burzichelli, Assemblyman David Bailey, and Assemblywoman Heather Simmons at the annual NJFB event.
Each year, the committee accepts nominations for its “Women of the Year Award” from county Boards of Agriculture, New Jersey commodity groups and individuals.
“After reviewing all of this year’s nominees, we were proud to select Michelle as our award recipient. Michelle’s dedication to New Jersey agriculture with her community involvement, leadership, and mentorship sets her apart. There is truly no one more deserving,” said Danielle Wainwright, chair of the committee.
Infante-Casella is the first woman at Rutgers to achieve the title of County Agent I, equivalent to Full Professor in the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR), and only one of five faculty members currently in ANR to achieve this rank.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award from women who are leaders in the agricultural industry. I admire their dedication and endless energy in promoting farmers and educating others about where food and fiber come from – the farm, not the store. I am grateful to work with others in our industry who strive to preserve the American farmer,” she said.
Infante-Casella grew up in Cream Ridge, NJ. Raised with a strong work ethic, she was guided by her parents, Michael and Elizabeth Infante, to a career in agriculture. In high school she was a member of the Allentown FFA taught by Jack and Cyndee Roszel. In 1988 she won the FFA State Fruit and Vegetable judging contest and was mentored by the Roszels to attend Delaware Valley University (DVU). She earned a bachelor’s degree in horticulture in 1993 from DVU and went on to earn a master’s degree in plant science/sustainable agriculture from Virginia Tech in 1994.
Michelle Infante-Casella, center, flanked by Senator John Burzichelli and Assemblyman David Bailey at NJFB banquet on Nov. 17.
In June 1995, Infante-Casella began her career with Rutgers Cooperative Extension as a Program Associate in Monmouth County. On March 11, 1996, Michelle started her position as a County Agricultural Agent in Gloucester County working mainly with vegetable farmers. Over the course of a 30-year career, her work has expanded beyond vegetable work to many other agricultural programs such as pesticide safety, agritourism, farm health and safety, cover crops, leadership training, agricultural policies, hemp and other areas. She has conducted 58 research projects related to many topics important to farmers in New Jersey and has authored 218 journal articles, abstracts, research reports and fact sheets. To date, she has also written and published 355 newsletter articles and popular press articles on agricultural topics.
She has been recognized by professional organizations for her extension programs and has received 27 national, 10 regional and 22 state awards for her work. In 2024, the Gloucester County Women’s Commission awarded Infante-Casella with its “Women of Achievement Award.”
Infante-Casella can be relied upon to provide leadership for many important programs and groups. Since 1998, she has chaired or co-chaired the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program in New Jersey. In 2010, she co-wrote the national USDA SARE Fellows program curriculum that educates agricultural professionals from all 50 states. Michelle is often called on as a reviewer for national grants, journal articles and faculty promotion packet reviews from other universities. She serves as the ESF-11 Agricultural liaison to the Gloucester County office of Emergency Services, ex-officio member of the Gloucester County Agricultural Development Board, and she serves as the County Extension Department Head in Gloucester County.
Since 2024, she has co-chaired the Rutgers Educational Program for the annual state convention in Atlantic City, and serves on numerous local, state and national committees in leadership roles or as a technical advisor. As proud as she is of the most recent honor, Infante-Casella will tell you her greatest achievements are her marriage to her husband of 26 years, Benjamin Casella, and their two sons, Ben Jr. and Dominick.
