skip to main content skip to main navigation
Photo of Roger Kumpel - Click to enlarge
Award Presented to Roger Kumpel During State Agriculture Convention

For Immediate Release: February 7, 2013
Contact: Lynne Richmond
(609) 633-2954

(ATLANTIC CITY) – Roger Kumpel, a hay, long straw, grain and vegetable farmer in Southampton Township, was honored February 6 with a Distinguished Service Citation to New Jersey agriculture at the State Agricultural Convention held in Atlantic City.

“Roger is a third generation farmer who has spent his life advocating for the New Jersey agricultural community, said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. “He is a
 great leader who never fails to lend a hand when a member of the agriculture industry needs assistance.”

Photo of Secretary Fisher, Kumpel and James Giamarese
Secretary Fisher, Roger Kumpel and State Board of Agriculture President James Giamarese

Roger, his wife, Ruth, and their family, own 110 acres, which are permanently preserved, and rent 150+ acres. Their farm is in the farmland preservation program and they’ve taken on conservation projects; the installation of a pivot irrigation system is underway. They are in the process of upgrading their facility with new technology for the purpose of food safety. And, recently, they also equipped one of their large tractors with GPS; auto-guidance and auto steering.

“Everything we’ve done, we’ve done for all of agriculture,” said Kumpel. “We live and believe in what we do. We’ve worked with these fine people across the state and to be singled out is breathtaking. My family is highly honored.”

Kumpel was a member of the State Board of Agriculture, serving as President from 2009 to 2010; served on the Burlington County Board of Agriculture for eight years, serving as Secretary for one year; and was on the Rutgers University Board of Managers for six years.

Kumpel served on the Watershed Management Area 19 Public Advisory Committee, serving as Vice President for one year, Burlington County’s Route 130 Delaware River Corridor Extension, Route 206 Farmbelt Corridor Agricultural Viability Task Group; the Southampton Township Agricultural Advisory Board and Environmental Committee; and the Pinelands Ag Advisory Committee. He is a Farm Bureau member and Alternate Director for Burlington County for many years and is a member of Vincentown #67 Grange.

Since 1932, the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture has awarded the prestigious Citation for Distinguished Service to Agriculture to men and women who have given unselfishly of their time and talents to the advancement and betterment of the agricultural industry and rural life in New Jersey. This award is given to recognize and honor those individuals who have made outstanding contributions of public service to New Jersey agriculture.

Organizations who qualify to send delegates to the New Jersey State Agricultural Convention may nominate a state farmer for the award. For more information on the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, visit www.nj.gov/agriculture/about/sba/guidelin.html.