USDA Undersecretary Avalos Visits Barlow Flower Farm

Barlow Flower Farm, serving residents of the jersey shore for over 33 years, welcomed Edward Avalos, the USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at the United States Department of Agriculture, on Sunday, October 18, 2015. Barlows was one of the last stops for Mr. Avalos and the USDAs tour of NJs Jersey Grown campaign. Mr. Avalos and his Special Advisor, Sanah Baig, toured the Barlow property with Barlow Flower Farm president, Stephen Barlow, and discussed the issues facing the agriculture industry in New Jersey and the country as a whole.

Undersecretary Avalos had great insights and solutions for some of the major problems that face agriculture in New Jersey and across the country. The need for new and young farmers is a major hurdle that the department is working on. Through new low interest loan programs and grants the USDA is working with young farmers to help them get up and running. The need for immigration reform was also discussed. Labor is one of the major hurdles that the agriculture community faces. The Undersecretary had discussed programs that the Department of Labor and the USDA are working on to assist farmers and greenhouse growers find and retain skilled labor. Finally it was very interesting to spend time with Mr. Avalos and learn about how the USDA works and its job in helping support the agriculture community says Stephen Barlow III, president of Barlow Flower Farm.

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