WANTAGE TOWNSHIP, NJ (Sussex County) – The New Jersey State Board of Agriculture presented three Distinguished Service to Agriculture Citations to four individuals during the 110th New Jersey State Agricultural Convention this week.
Those honored at the Joint Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey and State Agricultural Convention Dinner Banquet on Wednesday, February 5, were farmers Richard and Rosina Byma of Wantage Township, former New Jersey Department of Agriculture Secretary Douglas Fisher, and John Rigolizzo Jr. of Gloucester County (posthumously).
“The dedication and service that each of these individuals have given to New Jersey agriculture make their recognition well deserved,” NJDA Secretary Edward Wengryn said. “Their common thread of using their roles and resources to educate and advance our industry provide a solid foundation for the future of agriculture here in the Garden State.”
Richard and Rosina Byma of Sussex County have been dairy farmers for more than 50 years. They farm more than 600 acres of land they rent and own. The Bymas have made it their mission to educate the public about dairy farming as they have given tours of their farm and facilities.
“Sussex County has a rich agriculture heritage thanks to families like the Bymas who have farmed the county soil and tended to its livestock for generations,” said Senator Space. “The Space family has known the Bymas for many decades and it is especially fitting that they be recognized so prominently by the State for their impact in the community. As legislators, we will continue to facilitate any efforts, both legislatively and administratively, to help these families and support the agriculture industry so we can keep farmers on the farm and enjoy all they have to offer.”
The Bymas have promoted agriculture and the dairy industry by hosting several events throughout the years. These have included a venison dinner each March, an on-farm greenhouse that sells plants throughout the summer, and Rosina’s interior painting business in the winter.
“You cannot walk five feet at the Sussex County Farm & Horse Show without seeing the impact of the Byma Family,” said Inganamort, who attended the State Agricultural Convention and presented the Bymas with a Citation of Commendation on behalf of New Jersey’s 24th Legislative District. “The Byma Family’s commitment to agriculture and educating the next generation is among the reasons Sussex County is the pride of New Jersey agriculture.”
The Bymas and their four children have been active in 4-H and at the New Jersey State Fair and Sussex County Farm and Horse Show for decades. This has included Rosina being director of the Open Dairy Show for many years. Rosina has organized, guided, and managed the dairy show and the dairy barns and is known for her generosity by helping 4-Hers and anyone who has questions.
Rich has served as director of the milking parlor at the fair for decades. The milking parlor is a popular educational and interactive exhibit at the fair. He has also been a member of the Fair Foundation for many years, raising money for improvements to the fairgrounds. The Bymas were instrumental in the construction of the agriculture areas at the fair, including all of the barns and the milking parlor.
“I am so pleased to see the Bymas honored for their lifetime of dedication to agriculture,” said Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, a member of the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development, and Agriculture Committee. “Dairy farming, a hallmark of New Jersey’s agricultural industry, plays a vital role in supporting our local economy and ensuring food security. Families like theirs inspire us to champion strong agricultural policies in the legislature.”
The Bymas’ son, Henry, who was New Jersey’s Outstanding Young Farmer Award winner in 2015, is dedicated to working on the farm and in 2007, along with Rich and Rosina, and his wife Christine and grandson Richard, formed the company By-Acres Holsteins making it a fourth-generation dairy farm.
Organizations who qualify to send delegates to the New Jersey State Agricultural Convention may nominate a state farmer for the Distinguished Service Award. For more information, visit https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/about/sba/guidelin.html.
