David Kilby, Managing Editor
MONROE Farmer Roy Etsch of Etsch Farms will receive the Golden Medallion Award from the New Jersey Agricultural Society on March 30.
This award is the highest award given by the society during the year and is meant to honor Mr. Etsch for his contributions to the industry, reads a press release given by the society.
The award will be given to Mr. Etsch at the New Jersey Agriculture Society’s annual gala Friday, March 30, at 6 p.m. at the Forsgate Country Club, 375 Forsgate Drive. The award is scheduled to be presented at 9:30 p.m.
Established in 1781, the society’s mission is to preserve and enhance agriculture, farming and related activities and businesses in New Jersey through educational, informational, and promotional programs. For more information, visit www.njagsociety.org.
Mr. Etsch was born on a family farm in Queens, Long Island, on Oct. 15, 1928. The family moved to the current farm in Monroe in 1930.
As a child, he advanced from small farm chores to tractors and plows. In the 1950s, the farming operation changed from potatoes to corn, hay and small grains, still the main crops of the 1,000-acre farm today.
Now operated by James Etsch, Mr. Etsch’s son, the farm hosts several attractions such as a corn maze in the autumn, a party room, school trips and DogtoberFest, a dog show in or around October.
Mr. Etsch graduated from Jamesburg High School and went on to Rutgers University, graduating in 1950. As a teen, he joined the 4-H Baby Beef Club, raising and selling steers, which paid for college. He eventually went to Trenton State Teachers College to receive a teaching degree and became a teacher at Elementary School Number One in Monroe where he taught fifth grade in addition to his farming duties.
Mr. Etsch was a leader in the 4-H club, the nation’s largest youth development organization. He was vice president of the state Board of Agriculture; president of the Middlesex County Board of Agriculture; one of the founders and president of the Grain & Forage Association; a New Jersey Farm Bureau member; a member of the New Jersey Agricultural Society; and a member of the New Jersey Agriculture Museum executive board.
He also has volunteered much time to the Middlesex County Fair.
Mr. Etsch majored in political science and history at Rutgers. He belongs to the Rutgers Old Guard Alumni Association; served on the Monroe Planning Board; and was Monroe Township committeeman and mayor of Monroe in the 1960s.
He was given the Middlesex County Fair Association Farmer of the Year award in 1996, and he has received the state Board of Agriculture Distinguished Service Award.
Married for 61 years to Mary; they have two children, Janet Kelly and James, and three grandchildren, Tyler Kelly and Zachary and Peter Etsch.
”We get nominations from a variety of sources,” said Joan Elliott, coordinator of agricultural development for the society, speaking of how the society chooses someone for the Golden Medallion Award. “It’s given to people who over a career have made a tremendous contribution to the agriculture community.”
It’s the only award given out (by the society) statewide to only one person,” Ms. Elliott said.
The award, which has gone back to 1948, has been received by governors Thomas Kean and Christine Whitman.
”Roy definitely deserves it,” said Bill Hlubik, Middlesex County agricultural agent, director of Rutgers cooperative extension of Middlesex County. “Working with Roy; he’s an extraordinary leader. He’s dedicated his life to serving people in the agricultural community. There’s a lot of topics they have to deal with in these communities. He has been able to balance work life and other responsibilities.”
The society works with the Farmers against Hunger program, one of the most effective delivery programs for delivering food to the hungry, Mr. Hlubik said. The program has been featured on “60 Minutes,” he said.
”For the dollar for dollar that goes into it, they really do a lot to help the community, “ he said.
He added, “One of the reasons we’re here today is due to the help that Roy gave us. He helped us establish the Earth Center in Davidson Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick, getting resources together and working with the county.
”Roy (has) always (been) a sense of reason working on the (Middlesex County) Board of Agriculture. He’s resolved a lot of problems and was always a good leader.”
”We chose him for all of his contributions over the many years,” Ms. Elliott said. “He’s a really good farmer. He’s made many contributions to his community.”
After receiving recommendations from various sources, the society’s board of trustees voted to give the award to Mr. Etsch.
”We think it’s important to honor people who have made contributions to the state and industry over time,” Ms. Elliot said.
”I am delighted to receive such an award. I have never received such a high honor,” Mr. Etsch said. “ (The New Jersey Agricultural Society) represents one of the highest organizations in the state for agriculture. Farming in New Jersey, we’re here as a viable enterprise. We have to have the support of mostly all of the people to keep our operations going.”

