New Jersey assistant secretary of agriculture is Joe Atchison III

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher announced Dec. 14 the appointment of Joe Atchison III of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, as the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture. Atchison has been the director of the Division of Marketing and Development and will continue in that role as well.

“Having worked for the Department of Agriculture for over 16 years, Joe has a wealth of experience in department operations and has served admirably in his capacity as Division Director,” Fisher said in a news release. “We look forward to working more with him in this leadership role.”

Atchison directs a division which handles promotion of New Jersey’s agricultural products via several programs, most notably, Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables; conducts Food Safety Modernization Act and other critical inspections; administers several regulatory programs including organic and dairy registration; administers USDA Specialty Crop Block and other promotional grants; licensing and bonding; coordinates the New Jersey State Agricultural Convention; and oversees several equine programs including New Jersey Sire Stakes.

“I’m honored to be named Assistant Secretary of Agriculture and look forward to continuing to work with the Secretary, the State Board, the dedicated people at the Department and our state and federal partners to promote and support our farmers and advance the agricultural industry in the Garden State,” Atchison said.

Atchison is a Rutgers University School of Business graduate, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management.