About our farmer

(photo curtesy of Downtown Harvest)

My name is John Krueger and I am the owner/operator of Starbrite Farm. I have been interested in organic gardening for over 25 years, as an avid gardener, and as co-founder and an officer of the Cook Organic Gardening Club. I earned a B.S. in Environmental Science from Cook College, Rutgers University in 1989. In 1996 I was hired as Farm Manager of Heirloom Harvest Farm in Blairstown NJ. During my six years at Heirloom Harvest I was able to draw on my experience as an organic gardener and to gain experience in the techniques and equipment for larger scale vegetable production. I was given the opportunity to attend numerous conferences and workshops related to organic farming. In 2002 the owner of the farm decided to discontinue operations in NJ. I was determined to continue my involvement with organic farming and that year I began working with Richard Moran at Starbrite Farm in Hardwick Twp. NJ. Dick had been farming organically on his property for 10 years since retiring. In 2003 Dick allowed me to take over operation of the farm and I began working with the Bloomfield-Montclair CSA and selling at the Montclair and Morristown farmers markets. In 2005 I added a second CSA group at the Jewish Community Center in W. Orange. For the 2006 season I was chosen to be the farmer for the Downtown Harvest CSA in Jersey City. During the 2007 season a new CSA group in Westfield was added and Starbrite Farm supplied produce for 200 members among the 4 groups. Over these years I have acquired additional leased fields in the vicinity of Starbrite Farm in order to expand my planting. In 2007 I began leasing an additional 7 acres from Good Hand Farm in Andover Twp. For the 2008 season I will be leasing an additional 6 acres in Andover as well as additional greenhouse and barn space. I anticipate serving approximately 300 members in 2008. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible through the course of the season, at pickups, the Farm visit or other social events.