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Brenda Conner is a lifelong resident of the South Jersey Pinelands area. She grew up hunting and farming with her
folks and later learned snapper trapping, pineballing, and other piney trades
at the heels of several old-time “pineys.”
She has learned many of the old-time crafts, including basketmaking and
soapmaking. Brenda has “worked the
cycle” (a yearly cycle of piney activities to make a living) and is well-versed
in piney culture. For a number of years
she has given talks on pineys, their culture and their environment and has
recently added the topics of Cranberry Culture and Blueberry Beginnings.
Brenda is currently a full-time cranberry grower and IPM
(Integrated Pest Management) specialist.
She has worked all phases of cranberry farming, and has introduced GPS
technology into sanding and harvesting the bogs. Brenda is a 5th generation cranberry farmer
and she along with her husband Joe Darlington, currently run Joseph J. White,
Inc. (The cranberry and blueberry farm
at Whitesbog). Brenda has two
children, Judd and Emily. She has
brought them through their home-schooling, and is currently watching them
strike out on their own. Judd plans to continue
farming as the 6th generation here at J.J. White Inc. He also enjoys
collecting and restoring antique John Deere farm tractors. Emily has plans to become a large animal veterinarian
as well as riding instructor. She is
currently running the NBHA barrel racing circuit.
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