September 2024: The Future of Farming
Despite the “Garden State” motto emblazoned on our license plates, farms usually aren’t among the first words the general public thinks about when they hear the words “New Jersey.” The Shore, The Sopranos, malls, yes—but farms, not so much. They should be, though.
Our state has nearly 10,000 farms. Food and agriculture is the third largest industry here, behind only pharmaceuticals and tourism. Farming today doesn’t look like it did 10, 20 or 50 years ago.
For the September issue, we decided to explore the future of farming here in New Jersey, where new methods are being used and a younger, untraditional crop of farmers are making their way—including our cover star, Broadway luminary Laura Bell Bundy!
GARDEN VARIETY
Montclair Man Feeding the Needy Sustainably With Urban Gardens
Despite scant funding, retired accountant Jose German-Gomez manages several prolific vegetable gardens for the food insecure.
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NJ Prison Reformer Bob Hatrak Details Career in New Memoir
As warden of the notoriously violent Rahway State Prison in 1970s, Hatrak worked to improve the livelihoods of inmates in and out of jail cells.
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‘Meet Me in New Jersey’: In New Series, the Actors Are Locals
Meet Me in Millburn, Meet Me in Montclair and, soon, Meet Me in New Jersey, promote downtown businesses.
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NJ Teen Writes Book Inspired by a Ukrainian Girl and Her Lost Cat
Bergen teen Trevor Ostfeld teamed up with 13-year-old Iryna Chernak to share the impacts of war on children and families in an age-appropriate way.
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To Market We Go With These Beautiful Items for Produce
Check out this bounty of items to carry, prepare, preserve and enjoy Garden State produce.
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High-Powered Photographer Became Full-Time Painter After Moving to NJ Countryside
“My world and physical space opened up”: Artist Alison Scherr of Peapack paints emotive, larger-than-life interpretations of nature’s lights and patterns.
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Steve Adubato Bids a Very Jersey Goodbye to NJM Column
A fond farewell to a decade-plus of contemplation on New Jersey politics, sports, neighborhoods and more.
Read moreFEATURES
Kevin Smith Calls His Intimate New Movie a ‘Secret Origin Story’
In his latest film, the Red Bank-born, Highlands-raised writer/director sheds a people-pleasing, pot-fueled image and gets highly personal.
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She’s the One: Meet Eileen Chapman, Director of the Bruce Springsteen Archives
Eileen Chapman has what many Jersey girls would die for: Bruce’s blessing.
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Is Bergen Catholic NJ’s Best High School Football Program?
Bergen Catholic High School’s intense commitment to football has created a powerhouse program that shows no signs of slowing down.
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The Future of Farming in New Jersey: Trends, Challenges and Innovations
With nearly 10,000 farms and a renewed interest in the industry, the Garden State is ripe for innovation and change.
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So You Wanna Start Farming? This Rutgers Program Can Help
A popular training program at Rutgers University is bringing a host of enthusiastic recruits, and new creative energy, to Garden State agriculture.
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Broadway Star Laura Bell Bundy Embraces Farm Life in New Jersey
Bundy and her family traded California for a quiet Hunterdon County farm, where they are wholeheartedly championing a Jersey way of life.
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Forget Napa Valley! NJ Wines Are Better Than You Think
In the last 10 years, New Jersey wines have improved so dramatically that they’re now being compared to California vintages.
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NJ’s State Apiarist on the Importance of Beekeeping
Meghan McConnell educates the public about the honeybee, New Jersey’s state insect.
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NJ Is Facing a Fractured Higher-Education System That’s Taxing Educators and Students
There’s growing concern among college administrators, elected officials and students, who say change can’t come fast enough to the state’s higher-education landscape.
Read moreHOME & GARDEN
Inside a Hoboken Family’s Revitalized Brownstone
This couple hired a Maplewood designer to refresh their 1895 condo.
Read moreEAT & DRINK
Chicken Tikka Pizza, Anyone? Dhamaal in Montclair Serves Playful Indian Fusion
This new restaurant is a feast for the senses.
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Finnbar in Frenchtown Takes Farm-to-Table Dining to New Heights
This Hunterdon County restaurant has a produce-forward menu that changes daily, as well as a unique charitable component.
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Meet the Elusive Jersey Chef Who Is an Underground Foodie Phenom
Phil Manganaro’s Park Place Café and Restaurant is open three nights a week, with 20 seats, no assistant chefs, no reservation system and an unanswered phone.
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Volunteer Farmers Save Leftover Crops to Feed NJ’s Food Insecure
Farmers Against Hunger takes volunteers to farms across the state to glean leftover crops before donating them.
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At Bloomfield’s Bacchanal Junction, a Father-Son Duo Serves Caribbean-Inspired Cuisine
Enjoy traditional Jamaican dishes, lively cocktails and more.
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Felicia’s Kitchen: A Decades-Long Brunch Staple in Little Silver
Felicia herself greets customers, answers the phone and controls the counter transactions.
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Milkweed Table + Market in Pitman: Coffee Flights, Fun Eggs Benedicts and More
Brunch items with innovative twists make up the extensive menu at this spot run by two sisters-in-law.
Read moreEXIT RAMP
Opinion: The Eggplant, Not the Tomato, Should Be New Jersey’s State Vegetable
Eggplant deserves to be our state vegetable—any way you slice, sauté or fry it.
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