Dave has been involved in agriculture his entire life. He grew up working on the family vegetable farm, was the Farm Production Manager for an Ag-Biotechnology Company after graduating from college, and is currently the Assistant Director at the Rutgers University EcoComplex. At Rutgers’ clean energy research and commercialization center, he focuses on sustainable energy production and utilization for farms.
Dave holds a BS in Horticulture, and an MS in Plant Science, from Rutgers University. He is Chairman of the Rutgers Agrivoltaic Program. This program was formed for the science-based implementation of economical, farmer-friendly photovoltaic systems that combine renewable energy production with improved farm viability. He also works on controlled environment agriculture, hydroponics, aquaponics, biogas production, and cover crops for soil health.
Dave, his wife Lisa, and their two sons operate Specca Farms, a 250-acre u-pick and direct market farm in Burlington County, New Jersey. They grow over 100 different types and varieties of fruits and vegetables that are sold year-round. In 2020, they received the NJ Vegetable Grower of the Year Award.
Dave is a member of the Jacksonville, New Jersey Presbyterian Church. He sees the VIP Demonstration Farm as an opportunity to teach the people of Malawi new methods of producing nutritious food in a sustainable and economical way by using the knowledge, experience, and resourcefulness that God has blessed him with.
