Bill Text: NJ SJR72 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates first full day of spring of each year as "New Jersey Agriculture Day."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-06-30 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee [SJR72 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-SJR72-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator CHRISTOPHER "KIP" BATEMAN
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Designates first full day of spring of each year as "New Jersey Agriculture Day."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the first full day of spring of each year as "New Jersey Agriculture Day."
Whereas, Agriculture has been a key part of New Jersey's economy since the earliest Native American settlements, laying the foundation for what would become the United States; and
Whereas, Although New Jersey is one of the smallest states in the nation by land mass and is the most densely populated state, it is also among the national leaders in the production of certain crops, ranking among the top 10 states in the production of cranberries, bell peppers, spinach, peaches, blueberries, cucumbers, sweet corn, squash, tomatoes, snap beans, and cabbage; and
Whereas, New Jersey's agricultural production goes beyond fruit and vegetable crops to include nursery stock, greenhouse plants, sod, Christmas trees, field crops, equine, seafood, dairy, wineries, breweries, distilleries, beekeeping, and other categories of agricultural enterprises; and
Whereas, In order to foster growth, development, regulation, and refinement of agricultural enterprises, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) was established in 1916; and
Whereas, In 1984, the NJDA created the first in the nation state-sponsored agricultural branding program, Jersey Fresh, in order to distinguish the high quality of New Jersey produced fruits and vegetables from others in the marketplace; and
Whereas, This State-sponsored branding program was later expanded to include Jersey Grown for nursery crops, Jersey Seafood for aquacultured and wild-caught fish and shellfish, Jersey Equine for equine livestock, and Made with Jersey Fresh for processed food made with New Jersey sourced agricultural products; and
Whereas, The agricultural industry is a part of the very fabric of New Jersey, driving the economy, fostering ingenuity, and preserving the deepest values of the people of this State; and
Whereas, The importance of agriculture to the State is reflected in its nickname the "Garden State," and the State's agriculture and food industry is valued in the billions of dollars; and
Whereas, It is also imperative to honor the researchers, entrepreneurs, businesses, and innovators who support farm families in New Jersey and help drive the agricultural economy; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The first full day of spring of each year is designated as "New Jersey Agriculture Day" to increase public awareness of the important role of agriculture in the continued life, health, and prosperity of all citizens of this State and of the nation.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of the State to observe "New Jersey Agriculture Day" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the first full day of spring of each year as "New Jersey Agriculture Day," to recognize the vital role that agriculture plays in the State. The joint resolution also requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of the State to observe "New Jersey Agriculture Day" with appropriate activities and programs.
The importance of agriculture to the State is reflected in the nickname the "Garden State," and the State's agriculture and food industry is valued in the billions of dollars. Although New Jersey is one of the smallest states in the nation by land mass and is the most densely populated state, it is also among the national leaders in the production of cranberries, bell peppers, spinach, peaches, blueberries, cucumbers, sweet corn, squash, tomatoes, snap beans, and cabbage. New Jersey's agricultural production goes beyond fruit and vegetable crops to include nursery stock, greenhouse plants, Christmas trees, sod, field crops, equine, seafood, dairy, wineries, breweries, distilleries, beekeeping, and other categories of agricultural enterprises.
The agricultural industry is a part of the very fabric of New Jersey, driving the economy, fostering ingenuity, and preserving the deepest values of the people of the State. "New Jersey Agriculture Day" would celebrate the many family farmers who are the backbone of fresh food production for the citizens of New Jersey and elsewhere. The day would also honor the researchers, entrepreneurs, businesses, and innovators who support farm families in New Jersey and help drive the agricultural economy.
