Bill Text: NJ AR145 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognizes and supports Future Farmers of America and role of agricultural education in NJ.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 4-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-07-11 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee [AR145 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-AR145-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Recognizes and supports Future Farmers of America and role of agricultural education in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution recognizing and supporting the Future Farmers of America and the vital role of agricultural education in New Jersey.
Whereas, Agriculture is a vital part of the New Jersey economy, comprising 10,300 farms on 730,000 acres of land, and generating $1.12 billion in sales in 2011; and
Whereas, New Jersey produces more than 100 different kinds of fruits and vegetables, and is a national "Top-10" producer of cranberries, bell peppers, spinach, peaches, blueberries, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, apples, sweet corn, and snap beans; and
Whereas, The State also has thriving nursery, greenhouse, sod, equine, poultry and egg, and dairy industries, and a burgeoning wine-making industry; and
Whereas, In order to preserve the great vitality and diversity of New Jersey's agricultural industry, the State must retain and support the farmers, biologists, chemists, veterinarians, engineers, and entrepreneurs who make it possible; and
Whereas, Founded in 1928, "Future Farmers of America" (FFA) helps to prepare each new generation of farmers for the challenges of feeding a growing population by providing agricultural education and career guidance to students across the country; and
Whereas, The National FFA Organization, which operates under a Congressional Charter, Public Law 105-225, seeks to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth, and career success in the agricultural sector; and
Whereas, Today, there are 579,678 FFA members, aged 12 to 21, representing diverse ethnic and geographic backgrounds, in 7,570 chapters throughout the country; and
Whereas, Over 11,000 FFA advisors and teachers provide students with instruction in fields like agriscience, biotechnology, agriculture mechanics, horticulture, animal science, and the environment, enabling students to discover their career paths and realize success; and
Whereas, FFA's innovative "three-circle model" of agricultural education includes laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experience programs, and State and national student leadership organizations; and
Whereas, In addition to providing quality agricultural education, the FFA sponsors numerous programs and events, such as the annual agriscience fair and the National FFA Convention and Expo, and provides collegiate scholarships and grants to outstanding farming students; and
Whereas, In New Jersey, 37 FFA chapters, composed of 2,600 members, provide personal, career, and leadership development activities that challenge students to excel in agriculture; and
Whereas, The State's connection to the FFA dates back to 1928, when Leslie Applegate, a New Jersey student, was elected as the organization's first National President; and
Whereas, Since then, tens of thousands of New Jersey students, and millions of students across the country, have continued the FFA's tradition of "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, and Living to Serve"; and
Whereas, The hope of future farmers is exemplified by the FFA's creed, which states, in part: "I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years"; and
Whereas, This House notes that 2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the FFA electing the first African-American, Fred McClure, from Texas, to a National FFA office; and
Whereas, This year also marks the 45th anniversary of the FFA opening membership to high school girls for the first time, and today, females make up 44 percent of the organization's members, and half of its leadership; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House recognizes and supports the Future Farmers of America for helping to prepare the next generation of farmers by developing students' potential for leadership, personal growth, and career success in the agricultural sector. This House also recognizes the vital role that agricultural education plays in retaining the farmers, biologists, chemists, veterinarians, engineers, and entrepreneurs needed to keep New Jersey's agricultural sector prosperous and diverse.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Secretary of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education, the National Future Farmers of America Organization, and the New Jersey Future Farmers of America Association.
STATEMENT
This resolution recognizes and supports the Future Farmers of America (FFA) for helping to prepare the next generation of farmers, and recognizes the vital role agricultural education plays in helping to retain the farmers and other professionals needed to make New Jersey's agricultural sector prosperous and diverse.
Agriculture is a vital part of the New Jersey economy, comprising 10,300 farms on 730,000 acres of land, and generating $1.12 billion in sales in 2011. New Jersey produces more than 100 different kinds of fruits and vegetables, is a national leader in crops like cranberries and tomatoes, and also has thriving nursery, greenhouse, sod, equine, poultry and egg, dairy, and wine industries. In order to preserve the great vitality and diversity of New Jersey's agricultural industry, the State must retain and support the farmers, biologists, chemists, veterinarians, engineers, and entrepreneurs who make it possible.
Founded in 1928, the FFA helps to prepare each new generation of farmers for the challenges of feeding a growing population by provided education and career guidance to students across the country. The National FFA Organization, which operates under a Congressional Charter, seeks to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth, and career success in the agricultural sector. Today, over 11,000 FFA advisors and teachers provide over half a million members with instruction in fields like agriscience, biotechnology, and the environment, and career guidance. The FFA also sponsors agricultural events, like the annual agriscience fair, and provides collegiate scholarships to prospective farmers.
In New Jersey, 37 FFA chapters, composed of 2,600 members, provide personal, career, and leadership development activities that challenge students to excel in agriculture. The State's connection to the FFA dates back to 1928, when Leslie Applegate, a New Jersey student, was elected as the organization's first National President. Since then, tens of thousands of New Jersey students, and millions of students across the country, have continued the FFA's tradition of "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, and Living to Serve." This year marks the 40th anniversary of the FFA electing the first African-American, Fred McClure, to a National FFA office. It also marks the 45th anniversary of the FFA opening up membership to high school girls.
