I hope it's ok to post this message which I received earlier today; such a very important matter for your consideration. In addition to the programs mentioned in this message, there are the biological control initiatives, which reduce dependence on chemical controls.

You may have seen recent media stories that indicate that the NJ Department of Agriculture might be eliminated in the fiscal year 2009 budget cycle.

As of this moment, the Governor's office has confirmed that Governor Corzine is not asking for funding for the Department when he presents his budget message tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb. 26).

In addition to the NJ Farm Bureau, I also received a letter from the Bill Griffin, president of the State Board of Agriculture, asking for your support. The State Board of Agriculture is responsible for the $82 billion food and agriculture complex as well as the $222 million school lunch and school breakfast programs.

The New Jersey Farm Bureau is calling on Governor Corzine to reconsider any plan to abolish the Department of Agriculture as a budget-cutting move. We all recognize the need to streamline state government, but this goes too far and will dramatically undercut a $l billion industry. The NJDA provides vital support services to farmers across the state and its elimination would be a severe blow to farmers across the state. (Information supplied by NJ Farm Bureau President Richard Nieuwenhuis)

Among the services provided by the 260 person NJDA are commodity promotion (Jersey Fresh), animal health inspections, plant disease control (gypsy moth), soil conservation and environmental programs, fertilizer testing, emergency food distribution, farmland preservation, agriculture advocacy and liaison with federal USDA grant funding, and others.

We cannot let the NJ Department of Agriculture be eliminated! The Governor seems to forget what this state is all about.

LOTS OF CARDS, LETTERS AND PHONE CALLS ARE NEEDED IMMEDIATELY. The Governor hear from YOU. We must NOT let this happen.

Governor Corzine

PO Box 001 609.292.6000

Trenton, NJ 08625

Please also contact your legislators, and convey to them that you want to preserve the Department and its many functions.

http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/