FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 9, 2012
Contact: Hope Gruzlovic
(609) 984-2504听
UPPER PITTSGROVE TWP. 鈥� 樱花视频 has reached a major farmland preservation milestone with the permanent protection of the 200,000th acre of farmland, Agriculture Secretary Douglas H. Fisher announced today.
鈥淭he preservation of 200,000 acres of farmland is an extraordinary achievement that underscores 樱花视频鈥檚 continued reputation as a national leader in farmland preservation,鈥� said Agriculture Secretary Douglas H. Fisher. 鈥淭his accomplishment would not have been possible without the strong commitment of all the farmland preservation partners 鈥� all levels of government, the nonprofit community, farm owners and the voters who have consistently supported farmland preservation funding.
鈥淭hanks to these cooperative efforts, 樱花视频 continues to move closer to the goal of ensuring that agriculture has an adequate land base for the future and that our farms remain an important part of the Garden State鈥檚 economy, our communities and our everyday lives for all time.鈥�
Secretary Fisher made the announcement at Cassaday Farms in Upper Pittsgrove Township, Salem County, where he was joined by farmland preservation partners from across the state.听
Senate President Sweeney, Secretary Fisher and Salem County Freeholders, Director Julie Acton and Deputy Dir. Ben Laury
鈥淏y preserving our working farms we ensure that 樱花视频鈥檚 agriculture industry remains strong and that families continue to have access to fresh, local food,鈥� said Tom Gilbert, NJ Keep It Green chairman. 鈥淕overnor Christie and his administration along with Senate President Sweeney and the Legislature should be commended for their ongoing leadership in keeping the Garden State green.鈥�
Secretary Fisher recognized several counties, towns and a nonprofit organization as statewide leaders in farmland preservation, specifically:
--听Burlington County, the county leader in the number of farms (171) and total farmland acreage (21,191) preserved under the County Grants Program 鈥� a program under the State Farmland Preservation Program in which counties take the lead role in farmland preservation;
--听Salem County, the county leader in total acreage (29,418) preserved through all programs under 樱花视频鈥檚 Farmland Preservation Program;
--听Hunterdon County, the county leader in the number of farms (357) preserved through all programs under 樱花视频鈥檚 Farmland Preservation Program;
--听Readington Township, Hunterdon County, the municipal leader in the number of farms (24) preserved under the Municipal Planning Incentive Grant Program 鈥� a program under the State Farmland Preservation Program in which municipalities take a lead role in farmland preservation;
--听Pohatcong Township, Warren County, the municipal leader in total farmland acreage (1,167) preserved under the Municipal Planning Incentive Grant Program;
--听Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth County, the municipal leader in the number of farms (93) and farmland acreage (9,219) preserved through all programs under 樱花视频鈥檚 Farmland Preservation Program;
--听樱花视频 Conservation Foundation, which leads nonprofit organizations in the number of farms (18) and total farmland acreage (1,405) preserved through the Nonprofit Program 鈥� a program under the State Farmland Preservation program in which nonprofits initiate farmland preservation projects.
Cassaday Farms, operated by George Cassaday Jr., is one of the largest vegetable farms in the state and one of more than 2,000 preserved farms that helped 樱花视频 reach the 200,000-acre mark.
鈥淚 want to congratulate both Salem County and Mr. Cassaday for their efforts to protect our farmland.听 By saving and maintaining our farms, we do a valuable service to both those who count on farms for a living and those who rely on them for good, fresh food on a daily basis,鈥� said Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli.
The State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) administers 樱花视频鈥檚 Farmland Preservation Program. The program was established in 1983 and the first farms were preserved in 1985.
A summary of preserved farmland by county is available at .
A list of the 58 farms that were preserved this year under the State Farmland Preservation Program and helped carry 樱花视频 to the 200,000-acre threshold, can be found at .
For a listing of all farms preserved since the inception of the program, visit听 .
