Everitt Equipment receives award

Hunterdon County Board of Agriculture presented its 2018 Distinguished Service Award to Everitt Equipment, a Ringoes-area farm machinery business.

The company serves the agriculture community by providing parts, service and seasonal maintenance, as well as new and used farm equipment and tractors. In addition, its restoration services bring tractors and farm equipment back to their prime.

Dave Everitt started the business in 2009 as successor to D&R Equipment on the retirement of its operators, his father, Roger, and neighboring farmer David Bond.

Roger Everitt was president of the Hunterdon County 4-H and Agricultural Fair from its beginnings until his death last year. He was known for, without fanfare, bringing equipment from his business down to the fairgrounds to mow, spread, lift or whatever.

The board noted that Dave and his crew have continued that tradition. “Equipment quietly appears as needed” at the fair.

In presenting the award at its recent annual meeting, board President Jeff Bowlby noted that all farmers need support services such as equipment firms so they can stay in business.

“It’s a great company to have around; they are a great bunch of guys to know. If you break down, it’s good to have service in the local community,” he said.

Everitt Equipment was also cited for its numerous donations to the farm board for fundraising baskets for the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce annual meeting.

Dave, who raises field crops when not busy with the business, was raised on the family farm on Route 579, where the business is located.

The board noted that Everitt Equipment is supported by a team of dedicated individuals. Terry Lambert of Delaware Township does all the cleaning, detailing and finishing. Charlie Pierman of Kingwood Township is the head mechanic and also is the Hunterdon County 4-H and Agriculture Fair manager, dedicating many hours of volunteer service to it. Matt Slaughter, also of Kingwood, takes care of parts, is the computer whiz and handles the phone calls.

“Under Dave’s leadership, this group keeps the farmers functioning and doing what they do best, providing for others,” the board said.

He and his staff aren’t afraid “to do the dirty work” on old, rusty machinery as opposed to the “clean-handed mechanics” who won’t, he said. “We’ll try to help anybody.”