Peter Demarest Receives
2003 Outstanding Fruit
Grower Award from the NJ State Horticultural Society
The 2003 outstanding Fruit Grower Award was presented to Peter Demarest at the
New Jersey Agricultural Society dinner and New Jersey State Agricultural Convention
in Atlantic City in late January. Mr. Demarest is President of Demarest Farms,
Inc. of Hillsdale and Saddle River in Bergen County, NJ. Peter and his wife
Marsha and son P.J. grow and market fruits and vegetables as part of a diversified
agricultural operation featuring a large retail market and greenhouse with a
staff of 30 employees. The Demarest Farm was established in 1886 and had long
been a well known and visited establishment by agricultural dignitaries, government
leaders and other farmers in Bergen County and New Jersey.
Gary Mount, Treasurer of the NJ State Horticultural Society presented a plaque,
citation and lifetime membership in the NJSHS to Mr. Demarest at the dinner.
Said Mr. Mount, “Peter Demarest has been an outstanding fruit grower and
a leader in agriculture and his community. Peter has been in the forefront on
the implementation of integrated fruit production practices. He is a long time
member and strong supporter of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension IPM program.
His beautiful and diversified farm is truly a unique operation in upscale Bergen
County. Peter is a pioneer in the development of “pick your own”
marketing with apples, peaches and pumpkins at Demarest Farms. Peter was instrumental
in assisting and developing the legislation to protect “pick your own”
farmers from frivolous lawsuits. In addition to being leading fruit growers,
the Demarests are innovative farm marketers with things like a large scratch
bakery and salad bar in their market,” said Mr. Mount, “and Peter
has been a proactive spokesman for agriculture and has done numerous television
and radio reports on agriculture for New York and New Jersey networks and programs.”
Mr. Mount read a long list of accomplishments in recognition of Mr. Demarest’s
service to agriculture. He is a former member of the State Board of Agriculture,
serving as Vice President in 1998, when he was awarded the Distinguished Service
to Agriculture Award from the State Board. He is President (a position he has
held for three previous terms) for the Bergen County Board of Agriculture, and
has served on the Board for 15 years. During this time he was also a director
on the New Jersey Farm Bureau. He has served on many committees of the Farm
Bureau, both in New Jersey and at the National level.
Peter is a past member of the Board of Managers of the New Jersey Agricultural
Experiment Station at Cook College and Vice Chairmen of the Bergen County Agricultural
Development Board. He is a former Director of Farmers Brokerage Co. and a former
member of the New Jersey Right To Farm Task Force. He has received Certificates
of Appreciation from Rutgers and the State Board of Agriculture for his leadership.
Mr. Demarest was also recognized for his participation in organizations in the
fruit industry including the New Jersey State Horticultural Society, the New
Jersey Peach Promotion Council, and national organizations like the National
Peach Council and the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association.
Source: NJ State Horticultural Society News, Spring 2003; Vol. 83, No. 2.