Warren County farmer Richard Gardner has officially joined the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture. He was sworn in during the board's monthly meeting, representing the hay and grain industry. Gardner operates Spring Ridge Farm in Asbury, which spans 225 acres and produces hay, corn, soybeans, barley, and oats. The farm also raises 90 head of commercial beef cattle, 1,000 broilers annually, and 25 to 30 hogs for private customers.
New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn praised Gardner's appointment: “Rick’s extensive experience as a farmer and involvement with government provide an excellent background for his service to the State Board of Agriculture. He understands the many issues the agriculture community is facing, and his knowledge and insights will be invaluable in advancing the industry.”
Gardner is a fifth-generation farmer with decades of experience in agriculture and public service within New Jersey. In 1981, he co-founded the Warren County Livestock Association alongside retired Agricultural Agent Everett Chamberlain. Since 1988, he has been actively involved with the Warren County Board of Agriculture, holding positions such as President, Vice-President, and Secretary.
His other roles include membership on the Rutgers Board of Managers—where he lobbied for full funding of the Land Grant Mission—and participation in both state and national agricultural organizations like the New Jersey Beef Industry Council since 1994. Gardner has also been part of local governance; from 1985 to 2002 he served on Franklin Township Planning Board as chairman from 1995 onwards.
In addition to these roles, Gardner was elected to six terms on the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders between 2003-2021. During this time he worked on restoring county infrastructure including courthouses while enhancing library systems—leading one branch being named after him: Richard D. Gardner Library.
Gardner is an alumnus of Delaware Valley College and completed New Jersey Agricultural Leadership Development Program that took him abroad for further exposure into international agriculture practices by visiting Washington D.C., then traveling down south towards Chile.
