Paramus was once farmland. Now it is known as the land of malls.

Not the land of wild turkeys. Not the land of the Lenape. Little remains reminding us of the Dutch settlers, our role in the Underground Railroad, or even our ties to the Revolution.

But we were farmers once.

The world knows New Jersey tomatoes. Our soil is rich. Our land has always been capable of growth, flavor, beauty, and life. People from New Jersey know there’s something special about what grows here. Maybe it’s the soil. Maybe it’s the water. Maybe it’s the roots.

And our roots are still good.

Our veterans helped protect that future for us. Now it is our turn to protect what remains — to keep sowing the land we still have and planting seeds of hope for tomorrow.

Because growth should not only mean more pavement.
Growth should mean leaving behind something better for the next generation.