State has much to lose in axing agriculture department
New Jersey's rich and active agriculture in the country's only categorized "urban state" sets us apart from other states. Our nearly 1 million acres of fields, forests, horse pastures and nurseries have made New Jersey a garden oasis tucked between major metropolitan areas, the basis for its sobriquet, the "Garden State." Protecting its uniqueness is why the Farm Bureau must oppose Gov. Corzine's proposal to abolish the state Department of Agriculture.
We all understand the need for fiscal restraint in these challenging financial times. We even support cutting unnecessary government spending and waste. However, the functions of the Department of Agriculture don't fit into the category of "unnecessary." This is a lean, efficient state agency. During the government shutdown in 2006, 52 percent of the department's staff were deemed "essential" and told to report to work. Compare that to an average of 28 percent for all other state agencies.
The saddest part of this plan is that closing the Department of Agriculture will demoralize the agricultural industry, but will save the state budget very little money. The department's vital services won't be eliminated, just transferred to other state agencies. After all the essential functions are reassigned, this could mean a savings of as little as $300,000 to $400,000. Is such minuscule savings really worth pulling the rug out from underneath an industry that contributes billions of dollars to the state's economy?
What department will address pest infestations, such as gypsy moths, for which the Department of Agriculture proposes a $9 million program for 2008, to control 112,500 acres?
What department will oversee the farmland preservation program, which has permanently preserved almost 164,000 acres of farmland remaining under active cultivation and contributing to the precious little open space left in New Jersey? The department's Secretary of Agriculture serves as chairman of the program. Our state has already invested nearly $1.1 billion to preserve these acres of farmland. Without a Department of Agriculture, we fear this process will become a lesser priority until it's too late to save the "garden" in our Garden State.
What department will oversee the hugely popular "Jersey Fresh" program that promotes locally grown produce and supports community farmers markets?
What department will oversee the child and adult nutrition programs and school lunch commodity distribution program that serve hundreds of thousands of needy New Jerseyans daily? Our Department of Agriculture is a national leader in school nutrition programs, with 637,000 school lunch participants.
