(TRENTON) – Gloucester County farm operator Joel Viereck was sworn into his term on the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture today during the Board’s monthly meeting. The session also included an officer reorganization where Cumberland County’s Bob Blew was elected President and Burlington County’s Lisa Specca as Vice President.
Viereck, who is representing the vegetable industry, has served as President of the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey, Vice President of the Gloucester County Board of Agriculture, and the Gloucester County Director for the New Jersey Farm Bureau.
“Joel’s vast experience as a vegetable grower and his service with the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey, on the Gloucester County Board of Agriculture, and with New Jersey Farm Bureau will prove invaluable in his term on the State Board of Agriculture,” New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn said. “His first-hand knowledge of the on-farm experience and the issues that farmers face will allow him to provide insights and knowledge that can enhance our representation of the industry.”
Viereck has worked 23 years as part of a fourth-generation farm spanning 600 acres in Woolwich and Logan Townships. The farm is owned by David and Larry Viereck and operated with Joel and Mike Viereck. The farm was started more than 100 years ago by Leslie Viereck and continued by Leslie Viereck Jr., who is now 97. Leslie Viereck III also works on the farm and leads their farmers market program.
Viereck Farms grows more than 50 acres of tomatoes, including just over 40 acres in high tunnels which protect crops from heat. The farm also produces sweet corn, peppers, squash, asparagus, wheat, soybeans, and field corn.
Incoming President Blew has served on the board since 2023 and has been an owner/manager of Centerton Nursery for 19 years. His primary responsibilities have been product development, marketing, digital content among other duties. Centerton Nursery is a third-generation operation delivering more than 1,600 plant varieties to over 900 dealers in 32 states while serving independent garden centers. Blew operates this family business along with siblings Donald and Amy; it was started in 1974 by their grandparents.
Specca has served on the board since 2021. Together with her husband Dave Specca she owns and operates Specca Farms—a fourth-generation family-owned vegetable farm marketing directly to consumers through pick-your-own operations and seasonal farmers markets. Lisa Specca manages retail sales and marketing, human resources, greenhouse production; she is also chief financial officer and coordinator for farm safety.
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