The New Jersey Agricultural Society is proud to present the distinguished individuals and farm recognized for their outstanding contributions to agriculture in New Jersey. These honorees will be commemorated at our 2025 Gala on March 29th.
 | Gold Medallion Award - Joni Elliott The highest honor from NJAS, recognizing lifelong dedication to New Jersey agriculture. Joni Elliott is being honored for her leadership and contributions to the industry. Joni Elliot grew up in eastern Connecticut, the second of four children. She graduated from Connecticut College, Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude. Furthering her education, she earned a masters degree from the Eagleton Institute at Rutgers University. Joni started her career working for the New Jersey General Assembly. She then transitioned to a job in Government Relations at Johnson and Johnson, a position she held until putting her career on hold to focus on raising her two young sons. Possessing relevant experience, Joni restarted her career by working in the office of New Jersey Governor Kean. Following this, she worked for a non-profit and then for the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, where she remained for many years until her retirement. |
Joni has the unique distinction of having worked in all three employment sectors: Public, Private and Nonprofit!
While at the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Joni also served as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Society, dedicating twenty years of stewardship to the organization. When Joni took the helm, the NJAS had an operating budget of about $60,000 and the organization’s activities consisted of an annual legislators tour and three teachers tours.
Using her leadership skills as well as her strength to turn ideas into reality, Joni inspired, encouraged and involved others, to whom she gives much credit, in the mission to make the New Jersey Agricultural Society stronger and better. In a shining example of “leaving things better than you found them”, she left the Ag Society with an annual operating budget of nearly a half-million dollars along with three thriving signature programs: Learning Through Gardening, Farmers Against Hunger and NJ Agricultural Leadership Development!
Joni has served on numerous boards (e.g., church council, battered women, environmental education, homeowners association), several times as President or Chair. Fueled by her passion for agriculture, Joni continues to serve on the New Jersey Agricultural Society’s Board of Trustees, recently completing a term as President.
While at the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Joni also served as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Society, dedicating twenty years of stewardship to the organization. When Joni took the helm, the NJAS had an operating budget of about $60,000 and the organization’s activities consisted of an annual legislators tour and three teachers tours.
Using her leadership skills as well as her strength to turn ideas into reality, Joni inspired, encouraged and involved others, to whom she gives much credit, in the mission to make the New Jersey Agricultural Society stronger and better. In a shining example of “leaving things better than you found them”, she left the Ag Society with an annual operating budget of nearly a half-million dollars along with three thriving signature programs: Learning Through Gardening, Farmers Against Hunger and NJ Agricultural Leadership Development!
Joni has served on numerous boards (e.g., church council, battered women, environmental education, homeowners association), several times as President or Chair. Fueled by her passion for agriculture, Joni continues to serve on the New Jersey Agricultural Society’s Board of Trustees, recently completing a term as President.
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Century Farm Award - Viereck Farms
Awarded to farms in the same family for 100+ years, Viereck Farms is recognized for their century-long agricultural legacy.
Viereck Farms is a fourth generation farm that was started over 100 years ago by Leslie Viereck and continued by Leslie Viereck, Jr, who is now 97. The farm is currently owned by David and Larry Viereck who operate the farm along with their sons Joel and Michael Viereck, who are the fourth generation. Leslie Viereck III also works on the farm, supervising the farmers market program.
The farm comprises about 800 acres in Woolwich and Logan Townships in Gloucester County with the majority of the acreage being permanently preserved farmland.
Viereck Farms is a diversified farming operation specializing in high tunnel vine-ripened tomatoes as well as a variety of other vegetables, fruits and grains grown using sustainable farming practices. These practices, such as crop rotation, integrated pest management and soil conservation help to ensure the long-term ecological health of Viereck Farms.
Viereck Farms sells its products directly to wholesale buyers in the region and also to delighted retail customers at area farmers markets.
The New Jersey Agricultural Society honors the Viereck family for their dedication to farming and agriculture through four generations and is proud to award the 2025 Century Farm Award to Viereck Farms.
Awarded to farms in the same family for 100+ years, Viereck Farms is recognized for their century-long agricultural legacy.
Viereck Farms is a fourth generation farm that was started over 100 years ago by Leslie Viereck and continued by Leslie Viereck, Jr, who is now 97. The farm is currently owned by David and Larry Viereck who operate the farm along with their sons Joel and Michael Viereck, who are the fourth generation. Leslie Viereck III also works on the farm, supervising the farmers market program.
The farm comprises about 800 acres in Woolwich and Logan Townships in Gloucester County with the majority of the acreage being permanently preserved farmland.
Viereck Farms is a diversified farming operation specializing in high tunnel vine-ripened tomatoes as well as a variety of other vegetables, fruits and grains grown using sustainable farming practices. These practices, such as crop rotation, integrated pest management and soil conservation help to ensure the long-term ecological health of Viereck Farms.
Viereck Farms sells its products directly to wholesale buyers in the region and also to delighted retail customers at area farmers markets.
The New Jersey Agricultural Society honors the Viereck family for their dedication to farming and agriculture through four generations and is proud to award the 2025 Century Farm Award to Viereck Farms.
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President’s Award - Ryck Suydam
Honoring individuals or organizations with significant contributions to NJAS and NJ agriculture, Ryck Suydam is celebrated for his leadership in the agricultural community.
Agriculture has always been a significant part of Ryck Suydam’s life. Raised on the farm that has been in his family for over 300 years, Ryck is the 12th generation of his family to farm in America. Arriving from Holland in 1663 on the Rose Tree, his ancestors first farmed in Brooklyn NY for fifty years before moving to Somerset County NJ in 1713.
During Ryck’s childhood, Suydam Farms was a dairy operation. He was active in 4-H. By the time he was off to college, the dairy herd had been sold as the farm evolved into hay production to keep in pace with changing agricultural markets.
Ryck attended the University of Maine on a football scholarship, majoring in education. During this time, he had the opportunity to play as a rookie on the Denver Broncos before returning to the University of Maine to finish his degree. After graduation, he taught history at South Brunswick High School for two years before deciding to transition his career into the family insurance business, where he became a full partner. All the while, he continued farming.
In 2012, Ryck was elected president of the NJ Farm Bureau, a position he held for ten years. Over the course of his decade of service in this leadership role, he gave a voice to New Jersey agriculture, representing the needs and concerns of the farmers that elected him. Advocating for agriculture on a variety of issues at all levels of government, he helped to facilitate legislation that has had a favorable impact on agriculture in New Jersey. He also participated in many formal visits with state legislators to familiarize newly elected officials with the challenges facing New Jersey farmers. During this time, Ryck also held a seat for nine years on the board of directors of the American Farm Bureau in Washington.
Ryck has been a long-time member and supporter of the New Jersey Agricultural Society, serving on its Board of Trustees for several years.
Ryck has dedicated his life to keeping agriculture alive and well in New Jersey. Under his management, Suydam Farms, along with field production now also offering rustic, elegant event space, continues to thrive by evolving in step with the times. And benefiting from Ryck’s legacy of leadership, agriculture in New Jersey continues to thrive as well.
For his significant contributions to New Jersey agriculture, the New Jersey Agricultural Society is proud to present it’s 2025 President’s Award to Ryck Suydam.
Honoring individuals or organizations with significant contributions to NJAS and NJ agriculture, Ryck Suydam is celebrated for his leadership in the agricultural community.
Agriculture has always been a significant part of Ryck Suydam’s life. Raised on the farm that has been in his family for over 300 years, Ryck is the 12th generation of his family to farm in America. Arriving from Holland in 1663 on the Rose Tree, his ancestors first farmed in Brooklyn NY for fifty years before moving to Somerset County NJ in 1713.
During Ryck’s childhood, Suydam Farms was a dairy operation. He was active in 4-H. By the time he was off to college, the dairy herd had been sold as the farm evolved into hay production to keep in pace with changing agricultural markets.
Ryck attended the University of Maine on a football scholarship, majoring in education. During this time, he had the opportunity to play as a rookie on the Denver Broncos before returning to the University of Maine to finish his degree. After graduation, he taught history at South Brunswick High School for two years before deciding to transition his career into the family insurance business, where he became a full partner. All the while, he continued farming.
In 2012, Ryck was elected president of the NJ Farm Bureau, a position he held for ten years. Over the course of his decade of service in this leadership role, he gave a voice to New Jersey agriculture, representing the needs and concerns of the farmers that elected him. Advocating for agriculture on a variety of issues at all levels of government, he helped to facilitate legislation that has had a favorable impact on agriculture in New Jersey. He also participated in many formal visits with state legislators to familiarize newly elected officials with the challenges facing New Jersey farmers. During this time, Ryck also held a seat for nine years on the board of directors of the American Farm Bureau in Washington.
Ryck has been a long-time member and supporter of the New Jersey Agricultural Society, serving on its Board of Trustees for several years.
Ryck has dedicated his life to keeping agriculture alive and well in New Jersey. Under his management, Suydam Farms, along with field production now also offering rustic, elegant event space, continues to thrive by evolving in step with the times. And benefiting from Ryck’s legacy of leadership, agriculture in New Jersey continues to thrive as well.
For his significant contributions to New Jersey agriculture, the New Jersey Agricultural Society is proud to present it’s 2025 President’s Award to Ryck Suydam.
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Tony Russo Farmers Marketing Award - Barlow’s Flower Farm
Barlow’s Flower Farm, known as “Barlow’s”, has been flourishing in Wall Township for over 40 years. It all began in 1983 when founders Stephen and Leslie Barlow purchased the Sea Girt property, which included an 1807 farmhouse. Operations began with one retail greenhouse, ten small growing greenhouses and a retail shop.
With Stephen’s talent to grow exceptionally beautiful plants and Leslie’s artistic marketing skills, the business was off to a good start. Early expansion focused on improving the growing facilities. As sales continued to grow, the focus shifted to increasing the retail space. Many years, yet another production greenhouses was erected.
In 2004, two older greenhouses were removed to make room for a beautiful 10,000 sq ft European glass greenhouse and the number of growing greenhouses numbered twenty-eight.
Specializing in propagating and cutting, Barlow’s produces up to 70% of the plants that they sell, using safe, sustainable practices. They are one of New Jersey’s largest growers of retail annuals. They have continued to succeed against the competition of the big box stores by offering high quality, locally grown plants that will thrive in local conditions as well as exceptional, knowledgeable customer service. Their lovely shop is a “feel good” destination for their customers.
Barlow’s gratefully gives back to their community by supporting local fundraisers and many local organizations. Barlow’s is a class trip destination for the second grade classes in Wall Township, who come to learn how plants grow.
For their outstanding success in uniquely marketing farm products to the non-farm public, The New Jersey Agricultural Society is proud to present the 2025 Tony Russo Farmers Marketing Award to Barlow’s Flower Farm.
Barlow’s Flower Farm, known as “Barlow’s”, has been flourishing in Wall Township for over 40 years. It all began in 1983 when founders Stephen and Leslie Barlow purchased the Sea Girt property, which included an 1807 farmhouse. Operations began with one retail greenhouse, ten small growing greenhouses and a retail shop.
With Stephen’s talent to grow exceptionally beautiful plants and Leslie’s artistic marketing skills, the business was off to a good start. Early expansion focused on improving the growing facilities. As sales continued to grow, the focus shifted to increasing the retail space. Many years, yet another production greenhouses was erected.
In 2004, two older greenhouses were removed to make room for a beautiful 10,000 sq ft European glass greenhouse and the number of growing greenhouses numbered twenty-eight.
Specializing in propagating and cutting, Barlow’s produces up to 70% of the plants that they sell, using safe, sustainable practices. They are one of New Jersey’s largest growers of retail annuals. They have continued to succeed against the competition of the big box stores by offering high quality, locally grown plants that will thrive in local conditions as well as exceptional, knowledgeable customer service. Their lovely shop is a “feel good” destination for their customers.
Barlow’s gratefully gives back to their community by supporting local fundraisers and many local organizations. Barlow’s is a class trip destination for the second grade classes in Wall Township, who come to learn how plants grow.
For their outstanding success in uniquely marketing farm products to the non-farm public, The New Jersey Agricultural Society is proud to present the 2025 Tony Russo Farmers Marketing Award to Barlow’s Flower Farm.
