Norz Hill Farm in Somerset County honored with Farmer Recognition Farm to School Award
HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — The New Jersey Department of Agriculture on Friday presented Norz Hill Farm and Market in Hillsborough with the Farmer Recognition Farm to School Award during a visit to the farm. The event was part of the 15th annual Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week and the third annual Ag Literacy Week, held September 22-26.
“It was a privilege to honor Debbie (Norz) for her passion and hard work to bring local food into the schools,” NJDA Secretary Ed Wengryn said.
Norz Hill Farm and Market was recognized for supplying local food to schools and supporting agricultural education. According to the NJDA, the farm has shown measurable success in increasing student awareness of farmers and agriculture, improving the quality of school meals, raising nutritional awareness, and consistently finding innovative ways to use farm produce in schools.
The 1,200-acre, family-owned farm offers Jersey Fresh produce, meats, and other goods, along with seasonal activities such as a fall festival. The farm also emphasizes agricultural education and sustainable practices. Norz Hill Farm contributes to New Jersey’s Farm to School Program by connecting schools such as Hillsborough High School and the Manville School District with fresh products and agricultural learning experiences.
“We are grateful to be recognized for our efforts in sourcing local food for our schools and for our school education tours,” said Debbie Norz, owner and operator of Norz Hill Farm and Market.
Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week, signed into law in 2010, highlights partnerships between state farmers and schools to encourage student consumption of local produce, healthier eating habits, and a better understanding of agriculture.
According to NJDA, more than 500 schools in the state now purchase local food. More than 350 districts use cafeteria programs such as “Harvest of the Month” to highlight nutrition, while more than 250 districts incorporate farm-to-school connections into classroom curricula or field trips.
More information can be found at www.farmtoschool.nj.gov.
