September 2024 Newsletter
Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall!
As the sun sets on summer in September and we welcome the cool, crisp evenings of fall in October, it's the perfect time to reflect on our recent accomplishments, progress and look ahead to the exciting months to come.
A Major Milestone for Sussex County Agricultural Programs
At the start of the year, during our Reorganization Meeting, I set a goal to support and expand agricultural programs at both Sussex County Community College (SCCC) and Sussex Technical School. I'm thrilled to announce that, as of last Friday, this goal has been realized.
In just eight months, our collaboration with SCCC and Hudson Farm has paid off. On September 20th, Alyssa, the first student from SCCC’s Agriculture Program, began her internship at Hudson Farm’s cutting-edge, temperature-controlled greenhouse. This internship gives students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a hands-on setting, allowing them to grow crops even outside the traditional growing season—a perfect match with the college’s academic calendar.
Alyssa reported an incredible first day at Hudson Farm, and her success is the result of many people’s hard work. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Jason Fruge, Erin Shroll, the SCCC administration, Peter Kellogg, John Wunderlich, Nola, and Marty Kane for their valuable contributions.
While we celebrate this success, I’m already looking ahead to expanding our partnership with Sussex Tech to further strengthen their agricultural program. A meeting is set for this October to further this initiative.
Seed Library Project: Off to a Great Start
Additionally, I'm excited to share early progress on our new county seed library! In September, Sussex County and I secured our first donation of vegetable and fruit seeds. We are now in the initial phase of building our seed inventory, which will continue through December, as we actively seek additional donations to expand the collection. I’m confident that this initiative will grow into a valuable resource for the entire community, providing educational opportunities about the origins of our food and benefiting not just seniors, but people of all ages!
As these projects evolve, I will keep you updated every step of the way. Your continued support makes a tremendous impact, and I remain committed to working every day to create lasting improvements for Sussex County. Thank you, as always, for believing in our shared vision and for helping me move forward with progress, growth, and success for our community.
Sincerely,
Jack DeGroot