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WHEREAS, agriculture has long been an industry closely associated with New Jersey’s identity, as evidenced by the official nickname of “The Garden State,” the choosing of the horse as the state animal and the choosing of a primary pollinator, the honeybee, as the state insect; and
WHEREAS, agriculture continues to be a significant component of the state’s economy, with agriculture and its related food industries in New Jersey estimated to contribute more than $105 billion annually to New Jersey’s economy; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey and its political subdivisions have, over the years, invested in excess of $1.5 billion to preserve farmland and the benefits agriculture provides to the State and its citizens;
WHEREAS, approximately 20 percent of New Jersey’s land is owned, managed, cared for and kept productive by the agriculture sector; and
WHEREAS, the New Jersey Agricultural sector , while being a substantial portion of New Jersey’s economy and while managing approximately 20 percent of New Jersey’s land base, providing a safe and nutritious food supply and at the same time enhancing New Jersey’s quality of life through its scenic vistas, protection of the environment and preservation of a way of life and sense of well being grounded in a cultural heritage treasured by New Jersey’s citizens, must exist within a framework of laws and regulations necessary to accommodate the varied and sometimes competing interests which exist in the most densely populated state in the nation, and
WHEREAS, the business of agriculture has grown increasingly complex in terms of science, technology, environmental interrelationships, economic impacts and sophistication, and social interaction and impact and, as a result, legislation and regulation impacting it has become increasingly complex; and
WHEREAS, the importance of agriculture to so many facets of New Jersey life is reflected in New Jersey’s adopting planning objectives that call for “planning for agriculture” instead of “planning around agriculture”; and
WHEREAS, the intrusion of suburbia into agricultural areas, and issues created by that expanded interface create a need for balance and regulating in a way that meets the needs of an expanding urban and suburban population while ensuring that agriculture continues to be able to provide New Jersey with the vital benefits it is uniquely able to supply; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey has not had a Senate committee devoted solely to agriculture since 1980; and
WHEREAS, because of the increased importance of agriculture and its increased interdependence with so many aspects of the health and well being of New Jersey and its citizens, it is appropriate for there to be a standing committee in the New Jersey Senate, as there is in the New Jersey Assembly, to deal with matters impacting this vital segment of New Jersey’s existence.
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the delegates to the 99th State Agricultural Convention, assembled in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on February 5-6, 2014, do hereby call upon the New Jersey Senate to consider the establishment of an Agriculture Committee as a standing committee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, upon the establishment of such a committee, we urge serious consideration be given to the knowledge, familiarity and interest of each member regarding agriculture before their selection to serve on this committee.
