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New Jersey Farm Bureau News

Ag Matters Online

Last week New Jersey Farm Bureau forwarded a concise summary of the legal objections to the draft SPS standard for farmland preservation deeds to the State Board of Agriculture. The statement cites the frail legal justification for retroactively imposing regulatory requirements on existing preserved farm owners. It was co-signed by four of the leading attorneys who practice ag law in the state.

Click here to read the summary

In Memoriam: Dan Farrand

12 Feb 2024, Posted by admin in News, State News

Dan Farrand, longtime Morris County farmer nd active farm organization leader, died February 8 after a long illness. Dan was a stalwart farmer and champion of agriculture, taking over the family farm business in Long Valley from his father Harold that pre-dated the days of the American Revolution. Past member of the State Board of Agriculture and Farm Bureau director for many years, he was rock solid in speaking on behalf of fellow farmers throughout his adulthood. We mourn his passing and express deep condolences to his wife Janet and family.

Dan’s Life Celebration will include a visitation on Saturday February 17, 2024 from 11am – 3pm at the William J. Leber Funeral Home (908) 879-3090, 15 Furnace Road, Chester, NJ 07930. A Funeral Service will begin at 3pm and will conclude all services for Dan. Interment will be held privately by his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Heart Transplant Program, 201 Lyons Avenue, Newark, NJ 07112.

Memorial page and additional details can be found here.

The week of December 4 may be the busiest week of the year for deer hunters:

  • Six-day Firearm deer hunting season opens Monday, Dec. 4
  • Permit Bow season continues in many zones
  • Permit Shotgun and Permit Muzzleloader seasons are open for antlerless deer only in a limited number of zones

Don’t miss out on some of the best deer hunting anywhere!

Owen Pool, longtime Gloucester County farmer and former NJFB treasurer for many years, died October 31, 2023. Owen was the victim in a tragic motor vehicle accident near his farm.  Owen volunteered countless hours as a Farm Bureau leader and volunteer, as did his late wife Beth who was very active with the NJFB Women’s Committee. 

Owen had a great gift of service to fellow farmers and others – he will be greatly missed.

Relatives and Friends may visit from 10:30am to 12:30pm on Sunday, November 26th at the Elmer Grange #26, 535 Daretown Road, Elmer, NJ where a memorial service will be held at 12:30pm. As an expression of sympathy, contributions can be made to NJ Farm Bureau, Gladys (Beth) & Owen Pool Ag Education Scholarship Fund, 168 W. State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608.

Click here to view the complete obituary for Owen.

Despite challenges, state’s farms are ‘still going strong’ thanks to innovations

The basics:

  • Agriculture is New Jersey’s third-largest industry, generating approximately $1.5 billion in annual revenue.
  • The industry is facing challenges such as a tough regulatory environment, high operating costs, competition and unpredictable weather conditions.
  • Small and mid-sized farms around the state are embracing agritourism as a means to add value to their products and attract consumers.

Click here to read the full story from NJBIZ.

The NJDA has released a DEP advisory to farmers regarding the proper disposal of empty pesticide containers. This two-page document summarizes helpful tips and the rules for various situations regarding disposal and recycling. This guide explains how/where to make the disposals, including contact telephone numbers to call with questions.

For a copy of the document, click here.

Preventing Heat Stress

The summer months can bring extreme temperatures, so employers must account for this when their employees are working in hot conditions. When the body is unable to cool itself by sweating, several heat –induced illnesses such as heat stress and heat exhaustion can occur causing serious effects including death in extreme cases. Currently several states have adopted heat stress regulations and the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health administration (OSHA) is currently preparing regulations to address heat-stress. New Jersey does not have specific heat-stress regulations so employers would be subject to OSHA oversight.  Although there is no specific federal regulation for heat stress, employers should take preventative measures because OSHA could still take action under their “general duty clause” if an employer is found to be negligent and a worker is significantly sickened or dies from heat exhaustion. 

There are a number of factors that can lead to heat induced illness such as high temperature, high humidity, physical exertion, poor physical health and some medications.  When these conditions exist it becomes important that growers or crew leaders watch for signs of illness when working in the heat. 

These are some symptoms that often indicate the presence of heat stress.

  • Headaches dizziness, light headedness or fainting
  • Weakness and moist skin
  • Mood changes such as irritability or confusion
  • Upset stomach or vomiting Symptoms of heat stroke
  • Dry hot skin with no sweating.
  • Mental confusion or losing consciences
  • Seizures and convulsions

The best method for dealing with heat stress is to implement preventative steps.   Make sure workers have adequate amount of potable water at the ratio of about 4-8oz. of water or sports drinks every 15 minutes.  Employers should be very cautious of caffeinated drinks that are common today, as they can make a person more susceptible to heat stress. Adjust schedules so that most strenuous occupations are performed in the cooler parts of the day such as morning and evening. Growers will also want to make sure they are aware as well as their foreman know what to look for regarding the early symptoms of heat stress.

USDOL, OSHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed an app for iPhone and androids that assist in the prevention of heat-stress. The App allows workers and supervisors to calculate the heat index for their worksite, and, based on the heat index, displays a risk level to outdoor workers. There is an option to set reminders about the protective measures that should be taken at that risk level to protect workers from heat-related illness-reminders about drinking enough fluids, scheduling rest breaks, planning for and knowing what to do in an emergency, adjusting work operations, gradually building up the workload for new workers, training on heat illness signs and symptoms, and monitoring each other for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. This is all available with a few clicks on a smartphone. OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool on the App Store (apple.com)

For more information about safety while working in the heat, see OSHA’s heat illness webpage, including online guidance about using the heat index to protect workers.

This is a website for OSHA publications that provide recommendations to prevent heat stress that employers can order or print.  Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)

Labor management is important for all farm employers because labor is the most important resource to the agricultural industry.

Equine Advisory Awards Presented

16 Jun 2023, Posted by admin in News, State News

The Equine Advisory Board and the State of NJ honored many in the equine industry as part of June being “month of the horse”

Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Joe Atchison read and presented the proclamation from Governor Murphy.  He then went on to present several awards

Thoroughbred of the Year  went to He’spuregold and John Bowers Jr, the Standardbred of the Year is Special Way,  New Jersey Sire Stakes Horse of the year is Oh Well,  The Standardbred Breeder of the year is Heritage Hill Farm. The Governor’s Trophy for Horseperson of the Year was presented to the Wunderlich Family of Sussex County and Youth Person of the year is Gianna Tanzi

The event was held at the Horse Park of NJ and the luncheon sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of NJ.  The Horse Park of NJ and the Equine Advisory Board also presented special awards of thanks to retiring Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher for his support and promotion of the equine industry in NJ.

A full list of awards is here.

Ag Achievement Award – Ashley Presgraves

Thoroughbred if the Year – He’spuregold – John Bowers Jr, 866 Route 34, Colts Neck, NJ 07722

Superior Achievement – Entirely Smooth Movin – Elizabeth Stanker, 148 Old Burlington Rd, Bridgeton, NJ 08302

Bell Scholarship – Sasha Barns

Superior Award – Sonnys Music Man, Dawn Edmonds, 358 Monoreville Rd, Monroeville, NJ 08343

Youth Horseperson of the Year – Gianna Tanzi

Standardbred of the Year – Special Way –

NJSS Horse of the Year – Oh Well

Governors Trophy – Horseperson of the Year – Wunderlich Family

SBOA Breeder of the Year – Heritage Hill Farm

HP of NJ – Volunteer of the Year – Nancy Frenick