August 2025 Newsletter
Goodbye August, Hello September!
I hope everyone is enjoying the first week of September! With Labor Day behind us and students heading back to school, it feels like we’re closing out summer and stepping into fall—especially with this cool weather rolling in.
As we transition from summer’s watermelon and lemonade to autumn’s apples and cider, I’ll be sharing some highlights from August and my work as your Sussex County Commissioner.
Cybersecurity Partnership Launches at SCCC This Fall
Back on May 23, 2024, I informed the Board of County Commissioners that I had been in communication with Check Point, a leading software and cybersecurity company. Check Point partners with higher education institutions through its Secure Academy program, which provides a hands-on curriculum to prepare students for careers in cybersecurity—including potential opportunities directly at Check Point. Importantly, this program comes at no cost to the college or the county. It’s a real win for SCCC students, which is why I pursued this partnership and remained committed to making it a reality.
After more than a year of collaboration, approvals from both college leadership and faculty, and careful planning, I am proud to share that this new cybersecurity curriculum has officially launched for the Fall 2025 semester. Good things take time, and this partnership is the result of a lot of hard work and dedication.
I am grateful to both Sussex County Community College and Check Point for committing to the success of our students and ensuring they are equipped with real-world, hands-on learning opportunities. This initiative will help prepare our students to succeed beyond the classroom, and I am excited about what the future holds for this partnership.
County Seed Library: Seed Saving Fall Classes
From the beginning, my vision for the County Seed Library has been to make it more than just a place to access seeds. It’s about education, sustainability, community, and preserving Sussex County’s rich agricultural heritage.
After a successful launch this spring with our seed-starting classes, we are excited to expand the program this fall with workshops focused on seed saving. In collaboration with the Sussex County Rutgers Master Gardeners and our Division of Senior Services, these classes will introduce participants to the basics of seed saving, from proper collection and storage methods to saving seeds from vegetables, herbs, and flowers. We’ll also highlight the role of seed saving in preserving our agricultural heritage and ensuring a more sustainable future for local gardens.
Please stay tuned for upcoming announcements on dates and locations as we kick off our very first seed-saving education series!
Thank you for taking the time to read this update—and as always, thank you for the opportunity to serve. I look forward to continuing to share news, initiatives, and opportunities that strengthen our community.
Wishing you a smooth transition into the fall season,
Jack DeGroot