New Jersey Farm Bureau News

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Producers Invited to Attend Upcoming Farm Bill Meetings

02 Jan 2015, Posted by admin in Meetings and Events

The New Jersey Farm Service Agency is partnering with Rutgers Extension Service to host producer meetings next month to inform the public of new programs offered by the 2014 Farm Bill.

Tuesday, JAN 6, 2015 @ 1pm (NAP)
Snyder Research and Extension Farm
140 Locust Grove Rd
Pittstown, NJ 08867
Contact: Doreen Beruck at (908) 782-4614 or doreen.beruck@nj.usda.gov

Wednesday, JAN 7, 2015 @ 9am (NAP)
Vineland Produce Auction
Vineland, NJ 08360
Contact: Angela Andreoli at (856) 205-1225 or angela.andreoli@nj.usda.gov

Wednesday, JAN 7, 2015 @ 1pm (NAP)
Salem County Extension
51 Cheney Rd
Woodstown, NJ 08098
Contact: Al DiBella at (856) 769-1126 or al.dibella@nj.usda.gov

Thursday, JAN 8, 2015 @ 10am (NAP)
Columbus FSA Office
1971 Jacksonville-Jobstown Rd
Columbus, NJ 08022
Contact: Nick Morolda at (609) 267-1639 or nick.morolda@nj.usda.gov

Thursday, JAN 8, 2015 @ 1pm (ARC/PLC & NAP)
Sussex County Extension
130 Morris Tpke
Newton, NJ 07860
Contact: Lindsay Caragher at (908) 852-2576 or lindsay.caragher@nj.usda.gov

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in these meetings should contact the individual listed as the contact for the applicable meeting, or the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 by January 2, 2015.

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP): New coverage options are now available under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), which provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops to protect against natural disasters that result in lower yields or crop losses, or prevents crop planting. Previously, the program offered coverage at 55 percent of the average market price for crop losses that exceed 50 percent of expected production. Producers can now choose higher levels of coverage, up to 65 percent of their expected production at 100 percent of the average market price.

Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC): Rutgers Extension agents will demonstrate the online decision-making tools that are available to producers to help make important enrollment decisions regarding the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. Learning more about ARC and PLC is extremely important for producers who must make a one-time decision about base and yield updates as well as ARC or PLC election and enrollment decisions. An FSA representative will be in attendance to answer any questions on ARC and PLC policy and procedure.

AFBF final Convention Program available

23 Dec 2014, Posted by admin in Meetings and Events

The final program for the AFBF Annual Convention is now available online. Annual Convention Final Program

The annual convention and trade show will be held January 9-14 in San Diego, CA. New Jersey Farm Bureau will have 50 attendees this year.

Additional information can be found on the AFBF Convention website: https://annualconvention.fb.org/

SADC Takes First Look at Preliminary Draft Soil Disturbance Regulations

18 Dec 2014, Posted by admin in Science and Environmental Issues, State News

The SADC recently heard a staff presentation about the development of a draft rule to define and limit soil disturbance on preserved farmland. This draft rule is the result of several years of work by a soil-disturbance sub-committee. The SADC staff believes a rule is necessary to give guidance to preserved farmland owners and clarify two clauses of the deed of easement: one which allows for the development of agricultural buildings, and another which aims to protect the soils on a preserved farm. This issue of soil disturbance on preserved lands surfaced a few years ago with a Hunterdon County greenhouse grower who started large-scale grading/cut and fill work in preparation for temporary hoop houses on a preserved farm.

Farm Bureau believes any rule will have a significant impact on preserved farmland in terms of development of agricultural buildings, including greenhouses and large equine facilities. The SADC will make the draft rule available for public review ahead of any an informal comment period. In January, the SADC will consider whether or not to approve a draft rule for further review. The draft presented to the SADC is available on the SADC website at https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/sadc/news/hottopics/index.html

NJFB policy opposes the adoption of a rule to address soil disturbance on preserved farmland, seeing it as an over step in interpreting the deed of easement that could threaten the future agricultural viability of a changing industry.

NJFB Annual meeting Agenda available

07 Nov 2014, Posted by admin in Meetings and Events

The New Jersey Farm Bureau Annual Meeting will be held Monday & Tuesday, November 17 and 18 at the Princeton Westin at Forrestal Village. The meeting will include policy discussion, led by 1st Vice President Allen Carter, a variety of guest speakers and award presentations.

Click here for a draft NJFB 2014 annual meeting agenda.

YF&R Annual Meeting agenda now available

05 Nov 2014, Posted by admin in Meetings and Events, Young Farmers

The New Jersey Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) will hold their first annual meeting on Sunday, November 16 at the Princeton Westin in Forrestal Village.

Click here to see the full YF&R 2014 annual meeting agenda.

Presentation topics will include farm business planning, microloan opportunities, advocacy and legislative issues. We will also discuss the upcoming FUSION conference in Nashville, TN, and hold officer elections.

The meeting will include lunch, which is complimentary, thanks to our generous sponsors. Because we’re serving a meal, we do need an accurate head count. If you haven’t already done so, please let us know you are coming! You may do so by calling 609-393-7163 or by email at debbiep@njfb.org.

We look forward to seeing you on the 16th!

Attention Equine Enthusiasts

31 Oct 2014, Posted by admin in Meetings and Events

The Equine Science Center is hosting a special screening of the new documentary “Riding My Way Back” on November 11 at The State Theater from 7:30-9:00PM. The film by Academy Award winner Robin Fryday features how horses helped a veteran overcome suicidal tendencies after returning from war. The film’s producer and star will be present for a panel discussion after the film screening.

Riding My Way Back Flyer1

Gestation crate legislation spurs debate in the media

24 Oct 2014, Posted by admin in Science and Environmental Issues, State News

A bill to ban the use of gestation crates in New Jersey is awaiting action by the Governor. Governor Christie vetoed similar legislation during the last legislative session.

The Star Ledger published an editorial recently, pushing for the Governor to reverse himself and sign this version. Click here to read the Star Ledger Editorial

Click here to read NJFB’s letter to the editor on this issue.

Promotional “Vote Yes” flyer available for download

24 Oct 2014, Posted by admin in Science and Environmental Issues, State News

With only 10 days left in the campaign to pass Question #2 for farmland and open space funding, the push is on! Want to help get the word out? Click on the link below for a full-size version of Keep It Green’s flyer that advocates for a “yes” vote on the question. Print as many as you like and distribute them to your customers.

Vote Yes

N.J. Legislature Honors Rutgers on the 150th Anniversary of its Designation as the State’s Land-Grant Institution

25 Sep 2014, Posted by admin in State News

The New Jersey Legislature commemorated the 150th anniversary of Rutgers’ designation as the land-grant institution for the state of New Jersey by passing a joint resolution in the Senate on Sept. 22.

In 1862, Congress passed the Land-Grant College Act, a landmark statute also known as the Morrill Act, which established a system of land-grant colleges in each state to train students in the mechanical arts and agriculture. In 1864, the New Jersey Legislature designated Rutgers College the land-grant institution for New Jersey following the efforts of two Rutgers College professors to have Rutgers named the state’s land-grant college, prevailing over Princeton and the State Normal School in Trenton.

Click here to read more.

That bear attack was predictable – and predicted (Mulshine)

23 Sep 2014, Posted by admin in Science and Environmental Issues, State News

That fatal attack by a black bear in Passaic County should come as a surprise to no one.

Thanks to pressure from the anti-hunting crowd, New Jersey’s bear population has grown far beyond the capacity of our limited forests to support it. Look at a map of the northwest corner of the state and you will see that there are very few areas that aren’t within a few miles of roads and/or development. And most of that is older development, by the way.

The idea that humans are moving into bear country is nonsense. Fifty years ago, when most of those roads and houses already existed, there were almost no bears in the state. The bears moved into human country, not the other way around. And thanks to pressure from the animal activists, the state hasn’t been able to schedule enough bear hunts to keep their numbers down.

Click here to read the rest of this column.