Farmers Summit Agenda
The 2026 South Jersey Farmers Summit offers a focused day of learning, collaboration, and practical insight for our region’s farmers. From keynote discussions to hands-on workshops, each session is designed to address real challenges, share expertise, and strengthen agriculture in South Jersey. Explore the full schedule below.
7:15-8:00am
Arrival, Meet and Greet, Breakfast and Coffee
Breakfast Menu Items:
Fruit Platter - Donated by Shop Rite (Logan/Swedesboro)
Breakfast Pastries - Donated by Shop Rite (Logan/Swedesboro)
Coffee and Tea Bar - Sponsored by Farmers & Bankers Brewing, provided by Java Dog Coffee & Tea
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8:00-8:15am
Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:15-9:15am
Partnering With Aramark – Understanding Supply Chain & Opportunities for Local Farms
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Chris Schilling, Procurement Senior Director, Aramark and Avendra
In this session, Chris Schilling will offer an inside look at how Aramark’s national supply chain operates and how the company partners with small businesses and local farms across the United States. As Senior Director of Procurement, Chris oversees key sourcing categories and works directly with growers, manufacturers, and distributors to bring high-quality products into Aramark-operated facilities nationwide.
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Farmers will gain a clearer understanding of how Aramark evaluates suppliers, what it takes to become a qualified partner, and what opportunities exist for South Jersey farms—whether through direct sourcing, local programs, or distribution partnerships. This presentation will also outline how Aramark’s structure supports farm-to-institution food systems, the role of regional distributors, and how local farms can align with purchasing requirements to access new markets.
9:15-9:45am
Corn Fertility Research Update & Grant Program Information for Farmers
Ramandeep Kumar Sharma, Ph.D., Rutgers University Cooperative Extension
Dr. Ramandeep Kumar Sharma is a Faculty Member in Commercial Crop Production Systems with the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, where he brings a rare blend of scientific expertise and genuine agricultural roots to the growers he serves. Having grown up farming, Dr. Sharma carries agriculture close to his heart and approaches each partnership with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing today’s producers.
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In his role with the Agricultural Extension Program, Dr. Sharma works directly with Salem County farmers to translate research-based, sustainable agronomic practices into real-world improvements in productivity, profitability, and environmental stewardship. His work emphasizes outreach-driven impact - supporting growers through hands-on guidance, data-informed recommendations, and collaborative engagement across a wide range of commercial crop systems.
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Dr. Sharma is also a knowledgeable resource for farmers seeking to strengthen their operations through grants and external funding, advising on available opportunities and assisting applicants through the process. His effectiveness is reflected through measurable outcomes - grower feedback, field-level improvements, peer recognition, and scholarly contributions supported by externally funded projects.
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At the Summit, Dr. Sharma will demonstrate how leveraging data, research, and available funding can help South Jersey farmers reduce costs, increase efficiency, and build more resilient operations grounded in science and practical experience.
9:45-10:00am
Coffee Break
10:00-11:00am
Panel Discussion: Agritourism in South Jersey
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Panelists:
Grant Harris, Former Owner Cowtown Rodeo and Current Owner Cowtown Market
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Amanda Coombs, Coombs Barnyard​
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Fred Sorbello, Former Owner Hill Creek Farms
Agritourism is rapidly becoming one of South Jersey’s most promising avenues for farm growth, community engagement, and long-term sustainability. In a region rooted in centuries of agricultural heritage, farms are finding new ways to connect people with the land - offering hands-on experiences that inspire curiosity, strengthen local pride, and create meaningful revenue streams for family farms.
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This session will explore how South Jersey farmers are reimagining their operations through agritourism, from farm camps and animal experiences to corn mazes, seasonal festivals, on-farm retail, and event venues. We’ll discuss what it takes to build a successful agritourism program, the challenges farmers face (such as zoning, permitting, and operational capacity), and how these ventures can help cultivate a stronger connection between families, local agriculture, and the broader community.
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Whether you’re considering your first agritourism event or expanding an existing operation, this session will highlight the opportunities available, the lessons learned from successful models, and how agritourism can help South Jersey farms thrive for generations to come.
11:00-11:30am
Q&A: Farm Legacy Planning: What Every Farm Family Should Know
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Panelist:
Surrogate-Elect Dr. Mickey Ostrum
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This session will guide farm families through the essential steps of planning for the future - covering wills, property rights, asset management, and strategies for passing down the farm to the next generation. Led in a Q&A-style format, participants will have the opportunity to ask real questions about succession planning, legal considerations, protecting farmland, and navigating the complexities of multi-generational ownership.
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Whether you’re preparing to transition the farm, managing shared family property, or simply want to ensure your assets are secure, this discussion will offer practical, easy-to-understand guidance to help you protect your legacy and keep your farm in the family for years to come.
11:30-12:00pm
It's Only The Beginning
Jennifer Kugler, Co-Founder and Director
South Jersey Preservation
As the 2026 South Jersey Farmers Summit comes to a close, this final session will bring together the day’s insights, conversations, and discoveries to outline a clear path forward for agriculture in our region. We’ll revisit key takeaways from each segment - policy priorities, market opportunities, agritourism innovation, supply chain partnerships, and on-farm strategies - to highlight where South Jersey is headed and how we can walk that path together.
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This closing discussion isn’t the end of the conversation; it’s the start of a coordinated effort to strengthen farming across Salem, Gloucester, and Cumberland Counties. With renewed connections, shared vision, and a commitment to collaboration, we’ll look at the next steps for advancing local agriculture, expanding community support, and building a resilient, thriving future for South Jersey’s farms.
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Because today’s Summit is more than a meeting - it’s the beginning of a long-term movement to support the farmers, families, and traditions that define our region.
12:00-1:30pm
Lunch and Networking
Creek's Edge Pizza & Grill: Pork BBQ, Mac n' Cheese, Coleslaw
Java Dog: Sweet Treats
Lunch Menu Items:
Pulled Pork - Local pork sourced from Triple C Angus smoked to perfection
Mac n' Cheese - Homemade mac n' cheese with dairy sourced from xyz Farms
Cole Slaw
BBQ - Small veteran-run business making small batch sauces
Dinner Rolls -
Cookies and Treats - Java Dog Coffee & Tea
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1:00-1:30pm
New Building Ribbon-Cutting​
Join us as we officially celebrate the opening of the new Coombs Barnyard Reception Hall, a milestone for one of Salem County’s most cherished multigenerational farms. This ribbon cutting will honor the Coombs family’s long legacy in local agriculture and highlight their continued commitment to expanding agritourism, community engagement, and family-focused programming in South Jersey. It’s a fitting addition to the Summit - recognizing the innovation and dedication that keep South Jersey’s farming tradition thriving.
1:30-2:00pm
How Local Food Can Shape Local Culture
Nicole Nocito, Director of the Woodbury Farm Market
Nicole Nocito, Director of the Woodbury Farmers Market, leads one of the most celebrated markets in the nation -currently ranked #1 in New Jersey and #5 nationwide. A registered nurse with more than 20 years of clinical experience, Nicole stepped into the role of Market Director just a few years ago and has since transformed the market into a vibrant hub of community connection, food access, and local pride.
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At the Summit, Nicole will share the story behind Woodbury’s remarkable market growth - from its earliest days to becoming a force that reshaped the culture of an entire city. Her journey highlights the power of fresh produce, intentional outreach, creative events, and consistent communication in changing how a community shops, gathers, and identifies with local agriculture.
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More than a lesson in launching a farmers market, Nicole’s experience demonstrates how thoughtful leadership and grassroots engagement can shift habits, strengthen neighborhoods, and build a shared identity centered on local food and community connection.
2:00-3:30pm
Workshop: TBD
Announced in January 2026 (based on RSVP Survey)
3:30pm
Summit Concludes