Meet Class 11

Now that our class has caught up and we are close to our first big trip we figured it's time to introduce you all to the class!

James Abma Jr manages the produce fields at the Abma Farms locations in Wyckoff and at their larger farm in Hillsborough, working a total of over 150 acres. From dawn to dusk and in between, he can be found always either at the farm or driving between the two. He is always working to improve systems, fix a problem or deliver some fresh vegetables. He works hard to supply his family and the community with fresh nutritious food using natural and sustainable agriculture methods. His love of plant science started at a tender age as he spent his boyhood learning alongside his father, grandfather, and Craig in the fields. Before he was of working age, he started his own garden on the farm harvesting veggies. In 2019 his hard work paid off and he was chosen as the 2019 Outstanding Young Farmer by the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture. Today you can find him on the farm somewhere along with his family, his wife and beautiful children. 

Peter Etsch is a 4th generation farmer in Monroe Township at Etsch Farms run by him and his family. Since he was a kid Peter knew he wanted to be a farmer (except for that one year he considered becoming an astronaut) and attended Delaware Valley University with a degree in Crop Science. Peter knew what he wanted and the day after graduation was back on the farm ready to get to work.  You can often find him running deliveries, combining corn, mowing hay or getting involved with the farm’s 8 acre corn maze each fall. Peter serves on the County Board of Agriculture and the County Agriculture Development Board when he’s not working on his retail hay and straw operation or tweaking the corn maze.

Erin Gale is a first generation farmer who does a little bit of everything! She works on Gale's Way Farm in Wrightstown, NJ training the next stars in the Standardbred racing scene as well as showing her AQHA in the Western Dressage ring. She also works as a project manager at a company focusing in engineering and distribution. Gale's Way farm grows hay, grain, and more to sustain their equine business (boarding, training and racing) and to wholesale out. Erin is closely involved in making sure the Equine industry is supported in NJ. Erin is the class secretary for class 11. 

Justine Gray is a New Jersey native who takes the name “Garden State” very seriously. She has worked for farms of all kinds for the past 15 years: a small scale CSA farm, horse farm, non-profit farm and several focusing exclusively on agri-tourism. Whichever kind of farm it is, Justine is ready to lay in the compost pile for the perfect photo and post to increase engagement and get new customers via social media. For the last 5 years Justine has worked on developing events, newsletters and community outreach programs with Dreyer Farms in Cranford. She has also worked closely on CSA management, customer acquisition, recipe development and forming a community both online and offline with her CSA members and local food bloggers. Currently she works for Taste Profit Marketing, the sister company to Kitchen Table Consultants, that specifically supports farm businesses of all sorts and is made up of former or current farmers and entrepreneurs. If you can’t find her checking Instagram from the saddle of her own AQHA mare you can probably find her tending her crop of specialty garlic or reading the latest seed catalog.

Shannon Higginbotham has been farming for over 25 years, throughout Burlington County with her family, growing over 50 different crops.  Growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs and field crops. She also raises pork, beef and chickens for egg production.  You can find her spending countless hours teaching at local schools, advocating for farmers, and serves as the President of the Burlington County Board of Agriculture Women’s Committee.  Shannon was recognized in 2019 as a community champion for her dedication and hard work community by the Burlington County Board of Freeholders, and in 2020 as one of the top 40 young farmers in the country by Fruit and Vegetable Growers News. She currently works at Medford Nursery in Customer Service and Sales and can often be found taking the perfect picture of the newest variety of hydrangea and making sure every order is perfect. 

Wesley Johnson is the farm manager at Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm in Jobtown, NJ. This second location for his family farm is where he strives to create a memorable farm experience for the community as well as create a positive work environment for all of the farms many employees.  Born and raised on my families home farm in Medford, and he began working around the time he learned to walk; helping his father and uncle run a successful agritourism and pick your own farm operation. Wesley graduated from Rutgers University in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in Agriculture and Food Systems. His goals include providing for his beautiful family and making sure the future generations can grow up on the farm too! When not working driving a tractor or making sure his pastured poultry operation is running smoothly, he can be found enjoying the outdoors in any number of ways. These include looking for ancient Native American artifacts in the fields, fishing inshore for founder and striped bass, hunting ducks at their favorite swamp, or enjoying the ski slopes with friends and family.

Miranda Oberly has always had an appreciation for agriculture growing up on her family’s beef cattle and grain farm located in Stewartsville, NJ. She kept her involvement in Agriculture by becoming a member of the Stewartsville Grange #121 and the Phillipsburg FFA Chapter in high school. Miranda travelled to State and National conventions and participated in several Career Development Events for FFA  which all helped her see there was a lot more to agriculture than her family farm of mostly cows and grain. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Centenary University in 2018, Miranda was quick to land a job with the USDA’s Farm Service Agency as a Program Technician. She services producers in Hunterdon and Somerset counties. After being exposed to various aspects of FSA programs, she also serves a collateral duty as the State Civil Rights Coordinator for NJ. Miranda uses her positive attitude and energy to encourage others to become educated and involved in agriculture, following FSA’s motto “Do right and feed everyone.” In her free time, she enjoys attending country concerts, watching her local minor league baseball team- the Iron Pigs and going out for ice cream, made with local milk of course. Miranda serves as the class president of class 11. 

Shannon Oiler is a dynamic young woman from Branchburg, NJ. She graduated from Seton Hall University in 2010. Shannon is proud to be the manager of Norz Hill Farm and Market family farm. She is excited to be part of Class XI and can't wait to meet other leaders in the Agricultural Industry. In her down time, Shannon is the chair of NJ Young Farmers and Ag Professionals and has a passion for helping to grow and develop the state program while also volunteering for her local county 4-H program. Outside of the agriculture industry, Shannon enjoys spending time with her family, skiing and Seton Hall Basketball.

​Ashley Reese works as the Sales manager of Eastmont Orchards, a pick your own peach and apple operation in Colts Neck NJ. Entering Agriculture only a few years ago, Ashley dove in head first. She is a steadfast and true advocate for Agriculture in our state and specifically for women in the industry. She is currently the Vice Chair for NJ Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee and holds a seat on the Monmouth County Environmental Council.  When not on the farm posting the perfect picture of a peach she is also work as a director for NJ’s Horticultural Society, and 
the Associate Secretary for Monmouth County Board of Agriculture. Ashley can be found on the farm any day of the week (if not at a meeting) or chasing her two beautiful children around the farm with the help of her husband Kyle. 

Michael Somma of Pittstown, NJ. Hunterdon Central class of 2004. College of New Jersey class of 2008. A Loan Officer for Farm Credit East, ACA since July of 2017. Michael covers Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset, and parts of Hunterdon County serving a portfolio of industries ranging from cash fields, greenhouses, livestock, fruits and vegetables, commercial fishing, and everything in between. A banking professional with over a decade of experience in the field Michael has a passion for relationship building, finance, and agriculture since joining Farm Credit East 5 years ago. When he is not working hard for the members of the cooperative, Michael enjoys spending time in the outdoors fishing, kayaking, and hiking with his friends and family. He also serves as the class treasurer. 

Alex Somervell grew up on his families turf farm in Tuckahoe, South Jersey. Growing up on the farm, he enjoyed it but wasn't sure that would pursue it in college and in life. He studied aircrafts and flew for a time before realizing he wanted to be back on the farm full time and he hasn't regretted the decision since. From working alongside family and having new tasks each day, he finds that farming isn't as daunting as it may seem and completely worth it. Alex is on the Cape May County Board of Agriculture and the delegate from Cape May County for the State Farm Bureau meetings. These organizations have helped him expand his knowledge of Agriculture in the state and provide him with inspiration and motivation to make sure his family's farm is successful for years to come.  When not calling someone back about a Sod order or ordering new parts for a tractor Alex is always spending time with family and making new friends and connections in Agriculture and beyond.

Nikki Steward is a long-time friend of Agriculture and is a familiar face at the New Jersey State Agricultural Convention. While she does not have a traditional production agriculture background, she has some experience raising livestock and poultry and has served the industry in other ways. Nikki was involved in the FFA Organization for 15 years and served as President in various levels of the organization including: the Northern Burlington FFA Chapter, NJ State FFA President and NJ State FFA Alumni. Nikki has a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Mercer County Community College. She is
an Executive Assistant and ESF 11 Coordinator (Emergency Response) at the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) in the Division of Marketing and Development where she has worked for for 24 years. In this role she also serves as a representative for the NJDA at the Mercer and Hunterdon
County Boards of Agriculture. Nikki is a passionate advocate for the New Jersey Agricultural Industry and is looking forward to using the knowledge gained during her time in the Agricultural Leadership Development Program to help further the Industry. In her free time, Nikki is the owner of a small business, Within Spirit, in Flemington, NJ. She enjoys painting and crafting, spending time with her family and summers down the shore. Nikki is the vice- president of class 11. 

Kyle Van Nuys is a 5th generation NJ farmer in Hillsborough NJ. His market, Hillsborough Farm Market does a little bit of everything from selling their home grown, produce  to producing high quality hay and straw for the state, Kyle is never far from a tractor. His farm, recently renovated is open 9 months of the year and also sells delicious locally made ice cream and hosts a variety of events from corn mazes to a tractor show. When not on the farm he is also the head mechanic at Massey Ferguson who bleeds green. If somehow you catch him not on the move he is probably checking the latest Devil’s score because aside from being a farmer and mechanic he is also a huge hockey fan and plays in his “free time.”

Tim Von Thun is a fifth generation farmer on his family farm Von Thun's Farm market in Middlesex County. After graduating from University of Maryland with a degree in Ag Sciences, Tim came back to the farm's two locations- Washington and South Brunswick to do a little bit of everything. Their operation is has a wide variety of activities like sunflower trails, pumpkin picking, apple picking, field trips and more. You may find him working on the CSA program, driving a tractor with a load of happy guests or running to a meeting for Young Farmers and Ranchers where he is the Vice Chair. Tim is also a new dad to a young new farmer with his beautiful wife Emma who also can be found around the farm.