Norz Hill Farm Presented New Jersey Farmer Recognition Award

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Norz Hill Farm in Hillsborough was presented with the New Jersey Farmer Recognition Award by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

The award on Sept. 22 was part of the 15th annual Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week and the third Ag Literacy Week.

Hillsborough Mayor John Ciccarelli, Committeeman Shawn Lipani, Administrator Anthony Ferrera, Secretary Edward Wengryn, along with NJDA Division of Food and Nutrition Director Rose Chamberlain, Farm to School Coordinator Nicole Broadwater, and state and local officials were at the ceremony honoring Debbie and Rich Norz.

The visit to Norz Hill Farm included the award presentation and a tour of the farm from a student’s
perspective.

"Congratulations to Norz Hill Farm!" said the Township.

Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week celebrates the partnerships being built between the state farmers and schools encouraging local procurement to enhance school meals.

The influence of the Farm to School Program has led to more than 600 schools purchasing local.

More than 700 of the districts buying local have implemented cafeteria programs using Harvest of the Month promotional material to highlight the nutritional value of local items, and nearly 350 districts use a curriculum that ties cafeteria meals to healthy eating education and/or field trips to farms.

Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week was established by law in 2010 to bring attention to the Farm to School Program, which connects schools to local farmers to increase the amount of local fresh produce available for consumption by students during the school day.

New Jersey Agricultural Literacy Week was established for the purpose of highlighting the importance of New Jersey agriculture, how the state’s agricultural products provide the necessary ingredients for meals, and the health value of eating fresh farm foods and locally grown produce and fruits for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

For more information on the New Jersey Farm to School Program, visit www.farmtoschool.nj.gov.