New Jersey Department of Agriculture
Secretary
Website: https://www.nj.gov/agriculture Social Media:
About:
Secretary Wengryn was appointed by the State Board of Agriculture and confirmed by Governor Phil Murphy on March 22, 2024, becoming the eighth Secretary of Agriculture in New Jersey since the department was established in 1916.
Since 1998, Secretary Wengryn had served with the New Jersey Farm Bureau, where he worked closely with farming communities. His field work included the direct marketing of farm products as well as oversight on issues such as sales taxes. His work at the Farm Bureau spanned ornamental horticulture, land use, forestry, equine and other livestock issues. Since 2009, Secretary Wengryn had represented the private agriculture sector on the New Jersey Industry Advisory Council at the State Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, ensuring concerns of the agricultural community were considered in State emergency response plans. This work was critical for keeping agricultural businesses open and running during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Secretary Wengryn was recognized for his service to the Equine Industry by receiving the NJ Horse Person of the Year award in 2021 and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Rutgers University Board for Equine Advancement.
He grew up in the Neshanic Station section of Branchburg Township, and his interest in agriculture and horticulture began when he was helping on the Wengryn Family farm, a dairy and field crop operation in Hillsborough, N.J. As a youth, he worked with his father, Myron, growing and selling pumpkins and pick-your-own strawberries, as well as growing and selling tomatoes to area delis in the summer.
Secretary Wengryn is a 1986 graduate of Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture in Doylestown, Pa., with a Bachelor of Science in Ornamental Horticulture. He is a resident of Trenton, N.J., residing in the Mill Hill Historic District.
