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New Jersey Farm Bureau News

Ag Matters Online

Chris Christie should blame the neo-Luddites for the mess NJ’s in: Mulshine

10 Jun 2014, Posted by admin in State News

The front page of yesterday’s Star-Ledger featured a piece about a Fairleigh Dickinson/PublicMind Poll showing that most New Jerseyans plan to flee the state once they retire. The main reason given was our state’s high costs and taxes.

That was no surprise to me. Over the weekend, I’d attended an alumni event at my old high school. I got talking to a guy who sold his house last year and escaped to Key West. The property taxes on his place there are half what he used to pay here. The income tax? Florida doesn’t have one.

Click here to read more from Star Ledger columnist Paul Mulshine.

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Smallest farms becoming rarer in New Jersey

09 Jun 2014, Posted by admin in Local Farms and Food

Strings dangling from a greenhouse-like tunnel dance when a breeze blows through Shirley Kline’s small farm, a wisp of rural beauty in a cantaloupe patch.

The moment is not lost on the world-traveled farmer of 6 acres in Stow Creek Township, Cumberland County.

“If you don’t take pleasure in being out here and working and getting your hands dirty, this isn’t the life for you,” she said.

Kline represents a dwindling portion of New Jersey agriculture — the smallest acreage farms.

Click here to read more from The Press of Atlantic City.

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Jersey schools work with local growers, gardens

29 May 2014, Posted by admin in Local Farms and Food

Excitement is building around the New Jersey Farm to School program, said Mary Stein, associate director of the National Farm to School Network.

“Where New Jersey really stands out is through the school garden program. They’ve been major leaders around that movement,” Stein said.

“Those gardens are cultivated on school sites to familiarize students with gardening, food preparation, specific plants, and allow them to taste new fruits and vegetables,” said Peter Furey, executive director of the New Jersey Farm Bureau.

Beth Feehan, director of New Jersey Farm to School Network, has focused a lot of her attention on those school gardens.

Click here to read more.

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Farmers urged to report crop damage from recent wind and hail

27 May 2014, Posted by admin in Weather

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has been hearing reports of crop damage from a hail storm that hit Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem and Atlantic counties on May 22. The Department is working with USDA Farm Service Agency in helping to assess damage and determine what steps can be taken to assist farmers impacted by the storm. They are asking people who have hail damage or losses from excessive rain and wind to contact their local FSA county office to provide information relative to the extent of their losses in order to assist NJDA with seeking a disaster declaration. If they have NAP (Non-insured disaster assistance) FSA or if they have Crop insurance, remember to call the appropriate agency and request a loss adjuster look at any crop before it is destroyed in order not to jeopardize any potential program indemnity.

Please call the Department at 609-292-3976 if you have any questions.

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GMO Forum to be held for NJ Farmers

24 Apr 2014, Posted by admin in Meetings and Events, Science and Environmental Issues

GMOs: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR NEW JERSEY FARMERS — Friday, May 9, 2014 9:00 AM to Noon at the NJAES EcoComplex, Bordentown, NJ.

The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) and the NJAES Board of Managers is sponsoring an informational forum about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that is directed specifically to New Jersey’s agricultural community.

Click here for more information.

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Wine Promotion Board and Other Commodity Promotion

11 Apr 2014, Posted by admin in Marketing and Promotion

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s (NJDA) Division of Marketing and Development works with seven different commodity promotion councils on projects aimed at enhancing commodity-specific marketing and research opportunities. This partnership is in place for the following promotional councils: wine, apples, poultry, dairy, sweet potatoes, white potatoes and blueberries.

Click here to read more about these commodity promotion councils.

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In Memoriam: Dave Klemm

10 Apr 2014, Posted by admin in Meetings and Events, State News

DKlemm

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our good friend Dave Klemm, a former director from Sussex County and current member of the State Board of Agriculture. Dave was a sincere advocate for agriculture and a great friend to many. He will be missed tremendously.

Visitation to be held on
Friday, Apr. 11, 2014, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home
63 High Street Newton, NJ 07860

Memorial Service to be held on
Saturday, Apr. 12, 2014, 11:30 am
at Redeemer Lutheran Church
37 Newton Sparta Road Andover Township, NJ US 07860

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