September 2024: The Future of Farming

Despite the “Garden State” motto emblazoned on our license plates, farms usually aren’t among the first words the general public thinks about when they hear the words “New Jersey.” The Shore, The Sopranos, malls, yes—but farms, not so much. They should be, though.

Our state has nearly 10,000 farms. Food and agriculture is the third largest industry here, behind only pharmaceuticals and tourism. Farming today doesn’t look like it did 10, 20 or 50 years ago.

For the September issue, we decided to explore the future of farming here in New Jersey, where new methods are being used and a younger, untraditional crop of farmers are making their way—including our cover star, Broadway luminary Laura Bell Bundy!