New Jersey farmer Byron DuBois has been named a national winner at the 2024 National Outstanding Young Farmers Awards Congress. The event took place last week in Ferndale, Washington. DuBois, along with his wife Karen, co-owns Spring Brook Farms in Pittsgrove, Salem County. He was one of four winners chosen from ten finalists for their achievements in agriculture, soil and water conservation practices, and community contributions.
"It was a whirlwind of emotions this past week as Karen and I were blessed to represent New Jersey and Spring Brook Farms at the Outstanding Farmers of America (OFA) Congress as a top 10 national finalist of their National Outstanding Young Farmers (NOYF) program," said Byron DuBois. "All of the couples are amazing people and all well-deserved of their recognition. We were honored and humbled to have been chosen as one of the top four. It really could have been anyone in this great class of 2024."
Byron credits his family for the success of Spring Brook Farms. "I want to thank my parents, Henry and Marlene, for all the opportunities and support," he said. "My sister, Crystal, for her hard work and dedication to the farm, my cousin, Steve, for always being there no matter what time of day, and every one of the Spring Brook Farms family current and past."
National winners receive a cash award from the Outstanding Farmers of America and have the chance to visit Washington D.C. during National Ag Week in 2025.
"The work Byron and his family have done over the past several years made them an exemplary candidate and we are proud they were recognized nationally with this honor," stated NJDA Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Joe Atchison III.
Byron learned farming skills early on from his father Henry. Together they manage over 4,000 acres producing crops like spinach, sweet corn, tomatoes, soybeans, among others. Under Byron's leadership, efficiency improvements have been made using GPS technology for planting and harvesting.
Spring Brook Farms participates in USDA programs aimed at reducing soil erosion through enhanced irrigation management.
The NOYF program is recognized as America's oldest farmer recognition initiative since its inception in 1955.
