Farm preservation bill passes Senate

TRENTON — Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) to allocate more funds to help preserve New Jersey farmland was passed by the New Jersey Senate.
“Although New Jersey is viewed as an industrialized state, farming is part of the fabric of our history and remains vibrant in so many parts of our state, especially in the district that I represent,” said Senator Oroho. “It also remains an integral part of our economy, so these funding measures will enable us to secure these crucial, family-owned businesses and help keep the farmer on the farm.”
The bills appropriate monies from existing farmland preservation trusts to the State Agricultural Development Committee (SADC) for farmland preservation purposes. The monies will also be used to provide grants to counties and municipalities as well as nonprofit organizations for farmland acquisition and preservation purposes.
“New Jersey is ‘The Garden State’ for a reason,” Senator Oroho said. “To some it might just be a nickname, but for dedicated farmers throughout the state, it’s a way of life. We have to do more to support them and promote our rich agricultural heritage.”