Today, Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill announced that she supports the continued appointment by the State Board of Agriculture of Edward D. Wengryn as New Jersey’s Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. Wengryn brings over 25 years of experience supporting New Jersey’s farmers and broader agricultural industry. As Secretary, he will continue to support the states’ food banks, school nutrition and farmland preservation programs, and expand the responsible use of solar energy on farms.

“I am pleased to have Ed Wengryn continue to serve as the Secretary of Agriculture in my administration. Ed has a strong track record strengthening New Jersey’s agricultural economy, supporting local farmers, and expanding access to locally grown produce. I look forward to working together with Ed and the entire Board so the Department of Agriculture can continue to help combat food insecurity for New Jersey families, empower local farmers, and increase production to lower grocery costs for our state. We’re known as the Garden State for our tomatoes, blueberries, corn, cranberries, and so much more – I am excited to have Edward leading the charge to continue that legacy,” said Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill.

“I am honored to continue serving New Jerseyans as the Secretary of Agriculture in the Sherrill-Caldwell Administration. I look forward to working alongside the Governor-elect to continue the work on the issues of food security, farmland preservation and the promotion of the Jersey Fresh program to support local farmers and grow our agricultural industry. Making sure that families can put food on the table, and that farmers can make a living in the” Garden State” are the Department’s top priorities, and I know that the Gov.-elect shares those same values in her mission to deliver for New Jerseyans,” said Secretary Ed Wengryn.

Secretary Wengryn has the team and the tools to overcome the challenges that New Jerseyans face to put nutritious, affordable, locally sourced food on their plates every day.  The Board of Agriculture looks forward to continue working with him and the Sherrill administration in the years ahead as we strive to strengthen the “garden” in the Garden State,” said Bob Blew, President of the New Jersey Board of Agriculture and Steve Lee, IV Vice President of the New Jersey Board of Agriculture.

Secretary Wengryn has led the Department of Agriculture since his appointment by the State Board of Agriculture on March 22, 2024, becoming the eighth Secretary of Agriculture in New Jersey since the Department was established in 1916. New Jersey’s Secretary of Agriculture is the Department’s executive officer, Chair of the State Agriculture Development Committee, and a member of the Governor's cabinet. The Office of the Secretary supports programs relating to the economic development of production agriculture; the marketing of agricultural products through the Jersey Fresh program; conservation and development of natural and renewable resources; distribution of surplus federal commodities to soup kitchens, food pantries, schools, State hospitals, and institutions; and the health and well-being of the state’s greenhouse/nursery and livestock industries as well as other programs related to these areas.

Ed grew up in the Neshanic Station section of Branchburg Township, and his interest in agriculture and horticulture began when he was helping on the Wengryn Family farm, a dairy and field crop operation in Hillsborough, New Jersey. Ed is a 1986 graduate of Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture Doylestown with a Bachelor of Science in Ornamental Horticulture. He is a resident of Trenton, New Jersey, residing in the Mill Hill Historic District.

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