Salem County, NJ – To many outsiders, New Jersey is defined by busy highways, sprawling suburbs, boardwalks and the skylines of Newark and Jersey City. But a new video from RocaNews is challenging that perception by taking viewers deep into Salem County, a corner of the state where farms outnumber subdivisions and generations of families have worked the land for centuries.
The documentary-style tour introduces viewers to what host calls a side of New Jersey “few people associate with the Garden State,” featuring farms, country stores, western wear shops, quiet small towns and miles of open farmland. The video has drawn attention for describing the county as New Jersey’s version of the “Deep South.”
“We wanted to explore,” the narrator says after noting that while New Jersey is America’s most densely populated state, Salem County is its least populated county. According to the video, roughly 40 percent of the county is farmland producing tomatoes, corn, blueberries, beef and dairy products, reinforcing New Jersey’s nickname as the Garden State.
Families trace their roots back centuries
One of the first residents featured is Mitchell, whose family has farmed in Salem County for generations.
Asked how far back his family’s history in the county goes, Mitchell answered simply, “1692.”…