Charles Kuperas will submit his resignation as the Secretary of Agriculture tomorrow:
"Secretary Kuperus has done an outstanding job at the Department of Agriculture, exemplified by the work he has done to help preserve farmland, and his focus on promoting economic development for farmers across New Jersey," D'Arcy said. "Secretary Kuperus has been an invaluable member of the Corzine administration and his efforts are greatly appreciated."
The news appeared to catch people off guard:
Agriculture Board member Noble McNaughton of Tabernacle said he didn't know Kuperus' resignation was imminent. The board met Wednesday but did not discuss the secretary's tenure, he said.
"Charlie has been a good secretary and has done very wonderful things," said McNaughton, who represents nursery operators in the state. "This is surprising."
Here is a blast from the past when Jay Lassiter sat down for an interview w/ then Secretary Kuperus:Let the speculation begin as to why he is resigning and who will replace him.
2:55pm Update! Family Leave Insurance Act passed by a vote of 22 to 16!
Today's a voting day in the full Senate and as usual there are tons of bills in the hopper. Family Medical Leave Insurance tops the marquee and will provide today's best tension.
But there's some other stuff I have my eye on including:
S-611 (update 3:03, passed 30-7) This bill would grant adoptees access to their birth records. This one's been interesting to watch, a lot of emotion and drama have followed this bill through the statehouse including an appearance by a world-famous rapper facing off with the ACLU.
S-218 (Update passed 39-0) would set up Jersey Fresh farmstands at service areas on NJ's toll roads. So in the not-too-distant future you might score some healthy Jersey Fresh peaches to go with that 730 calorie Cinnabon. This program expands the marketplace for Jersey farmers and encourages eating locally and good nutrition.
S-795 (passed 39-0) is a bi-partisan bill that allocates $33m to the Garden State Green Acres preservation program.
S-233 aims to increase treatment options for drug addicts, alcoholics and parolees.
Again, the real focus today is Family Medical Leave and voting begins at 2 (which means 3:15 in Statehouse time.) So you can still call the statehouse and let your legislators know how you feel!
1-877-696-2282 (just call and enter your ZIP and leave a message!)
It's good news on the agriculture front today as New Jersey's blueberry farmers record a record setting year!
Cranberry production was bountiful as well which is good news for all New Jersey.
Noted NJ Secretary of Ag, Charles Kuperus,
"the demand for blueberries is increasing, not only for their good taste and versatility, but due to the reported health benefits of eating them. We expect a continued consumer interest in blueberries and for our blueberry farms to keep pace with the demand."
Over $90m worth last year alone! ka-ching. Currently New Jersey ranks 2nd in the nation (behind Michigan) as the top blueberry producer.
And thanks to last year's warm ad dry spring, the cranberry yield was also robust: 530,000 barrels worth. That's enough anti-oxidants to keep us all looking young for a while, eh?
I found my thrill with some blueberry compote
So long as the farmers stay viable the less developmental pressure they are gonna feel. Which means they can keep making delicious, local, healthy provisions for all the rest of us.
As the Farm Bill takes center stage on Capitol Hill, our state's Department of Ag isn't taking any chances. Take a trip to a Garden State vineyard with us and see what I mean.
Forgive the video quality, it was a candle-lit cellar. Also, sorry to get all Andy Rooney at the end there but, well, in vino veritas!
See also: Blue Jersey interviews NJ Sec of Ag Charles Kuperus
9. It tastes better. Get yourself a Jersey peach or tomato and compare it with its counterpart from Chile or California. Hello.
8. It's sound economics. Smart economic policy suddenly has a liberal tenor to it: sustainability is hot hot hot.
7. Mindful environmental stewardship. We eat local and our farmers stay viable. Who do you trust to look after the land? A farmer or a devoloper? 'nuff said.
6. Breathe, breathe in the air. Farms take carbon out of the air. Strip malls don't. New Jersey is way too densly populated to take this stuff lightly.
5. Community If you ever get down to a farmer's market in New Jersey you'll see what I mean. For me, it's a Saturday morning ritual. (Right before Blue Jersey BlogTalkRadio.) Wherever you are in the Garden State, there's a farmstead nearby. Find you local farmer's market, stand etc. HERE.
4. (Hat tip: Life Begins at 30) "Buying locally grown food is fodder for a wonderful story." Whether it's the farmer who brings local apples to market or the baker who makes local bread, knowing part of the story about your food is such a powerful part of enjoying a meal.
3. So pretty to look at! Click on these images to savor the bounty of the Collingswood Farmers Market.
2. Peer pressure All the cool kids are drinking liberally and eating locally!
And finally (whew)....
1. It's good for your health. What's better than universal health care? Not getting sick! They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away and guess what? It's apple season! So whether you like 'em sweet or tart or as pie fodder, here's your guide (scroll down) to Mother Nature's penicillin.
Farmer Johnson, click pic to enlarge the fall colors
Mother Nature was in resplendent autumnal form today at the venerable Johnson's Corner Farm in BurlCo, South Jersey. It was an ideal backdrop for celebrating the growing roll of agriculture (in this case agri-tourism) in our state's economy.
Thanks to a just-released report from Rutgers University the economic impact is now easy to quantify. Secretary of Agriculture Charles Kuperus came down to Johnson's Farm to announce the good news and the numbers are impressive: agritourism puts over $57m into the state's coffers annually. And that number is growing.
First, a baseline definition of agritourism is, according the Rutgers study, "the business of establishing farms as travel destinations for educational and recreational purposes."
And I know what you're thinking, $57.5 million bucks is a lot of hayrides. But it's a lot more than that. There's the ol' pick your own Jersey fresh (whatever), U-cut Christmas tree, bird watching, fishing, B-n-B's, petting zoos, wineries, tours, et al. Oh and how could I forget the ubiquitous corn maze?
And there's more good news, according to NJ Secretary of State Nina Wells who cited another interesting nugget from the Rutgers report. For every agritourism dollar spent, an additional $0.58 is generated in the community surrounding the farm. Think businesses like restaurants, craft stores, etc. It's adds up. Another $33m worth.
As noted by the report's primary author Brian Schilling the calculus is pretty simple: Good cliamte+good soil+dense population = agri-tourism boom. It's already happening which is pretty cool when you think about it.
Note to readers: last week on Blue Jersey BlogTalk Radio i lamented that Jerseyfresh peaches are no longer in season. I was wrong about that. You still have a few weeks to get your peach on.
The first in a series of videoblogs with top cabinet officials in Trenton.
This week, Agriculture Secretary Charles Kuperus discusses locally grown goodies, "food miles," environmental stewardship, agri-economics, green energy and more.
And...for the aurally inclined - you can get the audio version here.
Or - take it on the go as a podcast by subscribing through iTunes, or your own favorite podcatcher. You don't need an iPod - any MP3 player will do, even that cheap one you got at Columbus Fleamarket!
(Hat tip to our podcast wiz Rob for the quick turnaround time on everything podcastable!)
