By Joseph Sapia
Seventeen farmers will begin using Monmouth County government’s new “Grown in Monmouth” logo, to tell their customers they are selling home-grown products.
The copyrighted logo – with the words Grown in Monmouth, along with a barn, silo and trees scene – was unveiled Oct. 5. The county is hoping to attract more participants to sign on to the free marketing program, such as farmers, supermarkets, restaurants, food distributors and brewers. After signing an agreement, participants will receive a 11 x 17” laminated sign and electronic versions of the logo for marketing use.
Monmouth County says it is the only county in the state to formally market its home-grown products, in the style New Jersey has done for years with its “Jersey Fresh” program.
“I think Jersey Fresh has been an extremely successful campaign for New Jersey agriculture,” said Gary DeFelice, a Middletown farmer who grows strawberries, hay, straw and Christmas trees, and who is now a program participant. “This (Grown in Monmouth) truly defines local. And we love our county.”
The county also unveiled its GrownInMonmouth.com portal, to eventually link Grown in Monmouth participants with consumers. Participants can list themselves, their locations, products and services directly online, said John Ciufo, executive director of the county Division of Economic Development.
“We’re going to drive consumers to that database,” said Ciufo. “We figure it’s going to take us a couple of months.”
Once the website is fully running, the public will be able to use its searchable online directory, to find home-grown produce and products.
A directory of farm markets is already included on the website.
“Let it be known it’s grown in Monmouth,” said Bobby Laurino, a participant who grows vegetables and has a farm market in Colts Neck.
Bobby Laurino, owner of the Laurino Farms farm stand on Route 537 in Colts Neck, has joined the “Grown in Monmouth” program. The Monmouth County-run program promotes farm products grown or raised in the county. Photo by Joseph Sapia
“I just think it’s a great idea,” Laurino said. “In Monmouth County, farmers are getting fewer and fewer.”
The goal of Grown in Monmouth, a joint project between the county and the Rutgers University Cooperative Extension, is to better connect buyers and sellers of field crops, nursery stock, horses and other animals, fish and other aquaculture, and agri-tourism. At its initial meeting in January, Grown in Monmouth drew about 75 farmers and other parties.
“This has been a great partnership,” said Thomas A. Arnone, director of the county Board of Freeholders who has ties to the farming community; he owned a landscaping business for more than 30 years. “I’m very happy to be part of a board that is committed to this program.”
About 50 people attended the Oct. 5 meeting.
Freeholder Lillian G. Burry said, “People today want to know where their food comes from. People are looking for locally grown products.”
The first to sign the Grown in Monmouth marketing agreement were Anna and Angelo Trapani, who operate A. Trapani Farms and Trapper’s Honey in Millstone. Millstone borders Middlesex, Mercer and Ocean counties.
“We’re so far away from the other end of the county,” Angelo Trapani said. “How do you advertise nowadays?”
Angelo Trapani hopes Grown in Monmouth connects his businesses to customers throughout the county.
Even though Pat Butch’s farm – the Bright Meadows horse and sheep farm – is at the end of the county in Millstone, she does not think the Grown in Monmouth tag will hurt her with non-county residents, “I think it’s (simply) telling people it’s locally grown,” Butch said.
More information on the “Grown in Monmouth” program is available from the Monmouth County Division of Economic Development, Hall of Records Annex, 1 E. Main St., Freehold; 732-431-7470, econdev@co.monmouth.nj.us.
