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| Ag Matters Online |
The NJ Fish & Game Council recently heard presentations on both the 2023-24 deer harvest and a proposal for updates and simplification of the 2025 Game Code.
The first consideration of a bill (S2422/A3521) to establish an occupational heat stress standard was heard in the Senate Labor Committee on Monday this week. The Senate bill is sponsored by Sen. Joe Cryan (D-Union). The first group called to testify was NJ Farm Bureau, where newly appointed legislative coordinator Ashley Kerr with President Allen Carter in attendance announced NJFB’s opposition to the bill for its sheer impracticality, costs and industrial workplace-oriented standards that does not fit ag circumstances. Labor Committee member Sen. Paul Moriarty immediately echoed those concerns, saying he had been contacted by local farmers in his district about the bill’s impact to farmers. It was later agreed that the sponsor would meet with Farm Bureau representatives to review agriculture’s position. Chairman Joe Lagana commented that he hoped the sponsor “would work things through” with the farm sector.
Other groups weighed in pro and con after the NJFB testimony. Also opposed were the State Chamber of Commerce, NJ Business and Industry Association, National Federation of Independent Business and others. Opponents wondered how the heat stress restrictions would be managed by public employees like Corrections, road departments, law enforcement; the fines and penalties also drew strong objections. Groups in favor were labor
unions and worker advocacy groups. The bill eventually cleared the committee 4-0 and sent for “second reference” to the Senate Budget Committee.
House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) has released additional details on the bipartisan policies and priorities included in the 2024 Farm Bill.
The House Ag Committee will hold a mark up hearing on this bill on May 23.
To view the 2024 Farm Bill Title-by-Title Summary, click here.
Earlier this week, House Ag Committee Chairman GT Thompson released a five-page outline of a 2024 Farm Bill and announced a House Agriculture Committee markup date of May 23rd. Click here to read.
The same day, Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow released a summary of a farm bill titled, The Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024. Chairwoman Stabenow has not indicated a date for a markup. Click here to read.
The NJFB Women’s Leadership Committee is looking to award a New Jersey Farm Bureau member for her outstanding achievements and efforts on the farm and within the agriculture industry.
The WLC mission is to develop public understanding of the value and need for agriculture in everyday living through education while empowering women to be strong, effective leaders and advocates in agriculture.
They are looking for the women in your community who are proud to be in the agricultural field be it on a tractor, milking a cow, or teaching a classroom.
Please nominate a worthy female Farm Bureau member to be the 2024 NJFB Woman of the Year.
The New Jersey Department of Health has created a fact sheet about protecting farmworkers from heat stress.
This week on the FarmHouse, a podcast by Lancaster Farming, we’re talking to Danielle Wainwright, owner of Clover Valley Farm in Vincentown, New Jersey.
Wainwright and her husband raise Angus and Wagyu beef and chicken, and also run The Point Market where they sell directly to consumers.
Click here to read the full story from Lancaster Farming.
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.
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.
The week of December 4 may be the busiest week of the year for deer hunters:
Don’t miss out on some of the best deer hunting anywhere!
