(TRENTON) – Lauren Jarowicz, of Lebanon in Hunterdon County, has been chosen as the 2024 New Jersey Agricultural Fair Ambassador. The Agricultural Fair Association of New Jersey selected the 22-year-old year-old Lincoln Technical Institute nursing student.

As ambassador, Jarowicz is charged with visiting the state’s agricultural fairs in 2024, promoting agriculture to the public, and bringing people together to support the state’s farmers. The county fairs begin this week with the LEAD Fest State Fair underway now and the Stars and Stripes Livestock Show on Sunday.

“Lauren’s extensive involvement in various youth agricultural organizations throughout the years has prepared her for this important role during our state’s agricultural fair season,” New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn said. “The Ag Fair Ambassador is a leading representative for ag education in the Garden State.”

Jarowicz was the Hunterdon County 4-H and Agricultural Fair Ambassador in 2023 and was vice-president of her local FFA chapter from 2018-2020. She also has won the individual and team competition in FFA horse judging and is currently the co-leader of the Hunterdon County 4-H Beef Club.

“Agriculture has taught me leadership, hard work, perseverance, and given me confidence,” Jarowicz said. “I started riding horses at the age of 4, and little did I know that was the tip of the iceberg.”

Jarowicz is a graduate of Voorhees High School and Hunterdon County Polytech, where she studied animal science. She founded the Hunterdon County Hogs Club and Hunterdon County Beef Club and has been a member of the Centaurs Horse Club, Round Valley Riders, Junior Leaders, and Kick Butt Kids Club.

“I spent most of my years in 4-H competing in public speaking and horse knowledge-based competitions,” Jarowicz said. “My last year of 4-H my county decided to start a beef club and I couldn’t wait to join.”

When Jarowicz went searching for a cow she wanted to purchase for her 4-H project, she ended up buying three and started her own herd. She hopes to have a future raising cattle as well as growing crops.

“After a couple of months of owning my herd, I decided this is what I want to do for the rest of my life,” she said. “Without agriculture, I never would have found my God-given purpose. I hope to one day run a fully self-sufficient farm not only raising livestock, but crops as well, while educating the public on the importance of agriculture.”

Jarowicz hopes to find ways to share her passion for agriculture with others to help them better understand the necessity of the industry.

“I believe more and more people need to be educated on agriculture and the importance of farming because most people don’t know how it impacts their everyday lives,” she said. “It is my way of life and has taught me so many life lessons. Without agriculture, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

This is the 20^th year the Agricultural Fair Association of New Jersey has named an ambassador. In choosing an ambassador, the Association seeks a good representation of young people active in agriculture in the Garden State and their county fair.

There are 19 agricultural fairs currently scheduled throughout the state for this summer, including the New Jersey State Fair at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. The fair season in New Jersey lasts through mid-September. See a full listing of the New Jersey county fairs at https://bit.ly/4eHf7Jp.

###

To learn more about the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NJDeptofAgriculture and www.facebook.com/JerseyFreshOfficial or Twitter @NJDA and @JerseyFreshNJDA.

.