Agriculture Chairman Visits 27 Farms & Related Sites since mid-August;
Vows More Tours in Coming Months & Continued Advocacy
(1st LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT) – Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak on Wednesday said his recent tour of New Jersey’s farming community re-emphasized the important need to support the vital agricultural industry and the jobs and economic development it brings to the state.
Andrzejczak, chairman of the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, has visited 27 farms and related sites since Aug. 15 to learn about the industry and what it means to New Jersey. This is Andrzejczak’s first year as agriculture chairman. The former Iraq war veteran from Middle Township joined the Assembly in 2013.
“It’s important to note that food and agriculture are New Jersey’s third largest industry, producing roughly 10,000 jobs and $1 billion in sales annually,” said Andrzejczak (D-Atlantic/Cape May/Cumberland). “We cannot take our farming community for granted. It’s absolutely essential to a strong New Jersey economy, and is critically important to all New Jerseyans. That’s why this tour was so important to me.”
Andrzejczak toured a variety of farms, getting a first-hand look at agricultural activity throughout New Jersey.
“It’s always been important to me to make certain I’m out talking and meeting with the hard-working New Jerseyans who make our state great and keep our farming community first-class,” Andrzejczak said. “I vowed to be a strong advocate for New Jersey’s farmers and their industry, and I can’t do that sitting behind a desk. I wanted to hear their stories and concerns and use what they teach me to advocate for reform and change that will strengthen farming in New Jersey. We’re off to a great start and I look forward to more visits in the spring.”
Andrzejczak visited locations from Sussex to Cape May counties, covering a range of industries from farms, wineries and nurseries to a shellfish research laboratory, a turf farm and a zoo.
Among the many locations he visited are Pastore Orchards, Tuckahoe Turf Farms and Tomasello Winery in Atlantic County; the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, Lund’s Fisheries and Cape Shore Lab in Cape May County; Spring House Dairy and Space Zoo and Museum in Sussex County; Happy Valley Berry Farm, Cherry Lane Farms, Rabbit Hill Farms and Centerton Nursery and New Moon Nursery in Cumberland County; Pinelands Nursery & Supply and Lee Brothers Cranberry Farm in Burlington County and Pleasant Run Nursery and Cream Ridge Winery in Monmouth County.
He has witnessed, among other things, the farming of blueberries and potatoes, invasive species removal and butterfly tagging and met with groups such as the Cape May Environmental Society, American Littoral Society and the New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show.
“This has been a great experience so far meeting the owners of these businesses and seeing their operations,” said Andrzejczak. “It’s been very informative, especially when it comes to learning about the modern challenges this industry faces and how we, as a state, can come together to make sure it continues to thrive.”
To see videos of some of Andrzejczak’s visits, visit:
Cape May monarch butterfly conservation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgRv89yloYk
Cranberry production:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_hW2UdJWjA
Cape May County aquaculture:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra8jue7uWKw
Tuckahoe Turf Farms:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq_mvl4fcdI
Atlantic County farming industry:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aScCkyxQ50