 Samuel and Joseph Maugeri received the 2010 “Vegetable Growers of the
Year” Award on Wednesday evening, January 13, 2010 at the annual
awards banquet for the Atlantic Coast Agricultural Convention and Trade
Show sponsored by the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey (http://njveggies.org).
The three-day convention and ceremonies were held at the Trump Taj Mahal
in Atlantic City. Surrounded by over 200 family, friends, neighbors
agricultural industry representatives and fellow farmers the Maugeri
Family were showered with many well deserved congratulations. New Jersey
Secretary of Agriculture, Douglas Fisher and Al Murray, Assistant
Secretary of Agriculture were also on hand to celebrate this evening with
the Maugeri Family.
Agricultural
Agent for Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative
Extension, Michelle Casella nominated the Maugeri Brothers for this annual
award. Vegetable producers are nominated based on three criteria: 1) The
producers must run an outstanding vegetable growing operation that is
innovative and successful; 2) The nominees have devoted considerable time
towards the betterment of the agricultural industry as a whole in New
Jersey; 3) The nominees have given service to the New Jersey vegetable
industry that results in helping their fellow farmers. In addition to
submitting the nomination, Agent Casella was also able to present the
award at the evening ceremonies. “I have known this family for almost 15
years and have always been impressed with their commitment and passion as
farmers, to their strength, love, and faith as a family and the generosity
they show for their community. This award was well deserved”, said
Michelle Casella.
 In the
agriculture industry Maugeri Farms is well known for excellent products
marketed under the name “Arrowhead Brand” and their produce is sought
after by buyers of top quality vegetables. The Maugeri’s grow many
different vegetable crops including: sweet Corn, peppers, tomatoes (round
and plum), sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, seedless and seeded watermelon
varieties, zucchini, butternut squash, pickles, pumpkins and others. In
their production systems they utilize conservation irrigation practices,
crop rotations and follow the latest recommendations for efficient and
multifaceted pest control methods to produce high quality crops. In 2007,
they began a retail farm market and seasonal festivals to serve retail
clientele in their community. This part of their business continues to
grow through the leadership of Joe’s wife, Karen. In their acceptance
speeches, both Joe and Sam thanked their spouses and families for being so
supportive throughout the years and recognized how demanding it is on
their families when they are farming 24-7 during the production season.
Both Sam and
Joe have given selfless contributions through service. Joe has served on
the Woolwich Township Joint Land Use Board. He and Sam have also
participated in the Woolwich Tomato and Heritage Festival held each summer
to promote local agriculture. Sam is a director of the Vegetable Growers
Association of New Jersey representing Gloucester County, a director of
the New Jersey Sweet Potato Council and a representative on the Rutgers
NJAES Tomato Research Advisory Committee and the Rutgers NJAES Pepper
Research Advisory Committee.
For more
information about Maugeri Farms, see their website at
http://maugerifarms.com
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For immediate release
Contact: Michelle Casella, Agricultural Agent
Rutgers New Jersey
Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension
Gloucester County,
856-307-6450 x1, minfante@aesop.rutgers.edu |
