Mercer County farmer, Jessica Niederer, was named New Jersey’s 2016 Outstanding Young Farmer by the New Jersey Agricultural Board and was one of four honored nationally as 2016 National Outstanding Young Farmer and has been inducted into the National Outstanding Farmers of America.
For more article about Jess’s achievements, check out Mercer County Farmer Jessica Niederer Named New Jersey Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year and Hopewell Twp’s Jessica Niederer Named National Outstanding Young Farmer.
Niederer is an organic farmer who owns and farms Chickadee Creek Farm, in Hopewell township, and is a Hopewell native. She is only the 5th woman farmer and the first single woman farmer selected in the organization’s 60 year history.
A dedicated member of the community, Niederer was one of the driving forces behind establishing the Pennington Farmer’s Market, has served as a member of the Mercer County Board of Agriculture, teaches classes on organic farmer through the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey, volunteers as a local EMT and has served on the Hopewell Township Environmental Commission and the Hopewell Township Deer Management Task Force. In 2014, Niederer was voted the “Local Hero” by Edible Jersey readers in the Farm/Farmer category.
In recognition of her achievements, Hopewell Township issued a proclamation at last night’s committee meeting.
“I’ve known Jess since she was a little baby,” said Committee person John Hart. “She has been farmer all her life and is one of the most dedicated farmers I’ve ever seen. I’m really proud of her.”
In accepting the proclamation, Niederer said humbly, “I just want to say that it is great to address this locally — I am a product of Hopewell Valley. This isn’t just about being a farmer working on your own farm but that you care about your community at large. And this is what living here has developed in me — altruism and a way to give back.”
