The New Jersey State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) has named Charles "Chuck" Roohr as its new Deputy Executive Director.
Roohr has been with the SADC since 2000 and has worked extensively in all aspects of the Farmland Preservation Program (FPP), including the Right To Farm program, acquiring easements and the purchase and resale of farms in fee simple, and stewardship of preserved farmland. Since 2019, Roohr has been the SADC's Chief of Agriculture Resources, responsible for managing all post-preservation aspects of preserved farmland, including applications for solar installations, agricultural labour housing, house replacement, and division of preserved farms. He has also led in developing and implementing programs to support New Jersey's agricultural businesses, including deer fencing, soil and water cost-share grants, and the SADC's one-time "business development" grants program.
Roohr was born and raised on his family's central jersey farm, which specializes in vegetables, fruit, grain and pheasants. His first-hand knowledge of the challenges of operating a farm in New Jersey, coupled with his over two decades of work within the SADC, uniquely positions him to help lead the agency's future. He has continued to farm nights and weekends actively throughout his professional career.
"His program experience, excellent customer service skills, farming background, and ability to communicate effectively with the agricultural community and government agencies alike, make Mr. Roohr an ideal candidate for the position of Deputy Executive Director," said Douglas Fisher, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture and Chairman of the State Agriculture Development Committee.
The New Jersey State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) administers New Jersey's Farmland Preservation Program, including Farm Preservation across the state, Right to Farm, Agricultural Mediation, and Agricultural Development grants to preserved farm owners and operators.
To date, more than 2,812 farms covering approximately 247,947 acres have been preserved under the New Jersey State Farmland Preservation Program.
(SADC)