Salem County Farmer Named New Jersey's Outstanding Young Farmer

Salem County Farmer Named New Jersey's Outstanding Young Farmer and Finalist for National Award - Michael Brooks of Dusty Lane Farms in Elmer Recognized at Agricultural Convention

Michael Brooks, an 8th-generation farmer, has been recognized by the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture as the 2023 Outstanding Young Farmer. Brooks and his wife, Emily, have built Dusty Lane Farms into a diversified operation, expanding the farm's acreage from 500 to 2000 over the past 10 years. They have also been selected as one of 10 finalists for the 2023 National Outstanding Young Farmer Award.

Brooks' passion for agriculture began at a young age, as he helped out on the family farm. After 20 years of working with his parents, Brooks has implemented modern technology to expand the farm's efficiency, including GPS guidance systems and remote soil moisture sensing. He has also built a plant tissue culture laboratory for rapid plant replication.

Brooks credits his wife, Emily, for instilling the values of an agricultural background and the merits of working together with family towards a common goal. He is serving, or has served, with several agriculture-related organizations, including the New Jersey Farm Bureau, the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey, and the Salem County Board of Agriculture.

The Outstanding Young Farmer program is the oldest farmer recognition program in the United States, and Brooks' achievement highlights the importance of supporting and recognizing young producers. The National Outstanding Young Farmer Award will be presented at the National Outstanding Young Farmer Congress in Wisconsin on February 16-19.