Contact:

FRED FEINER, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
PHONE: 908-234-1225, EXT. 104
FRED@NJCONSERVATION.ORG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NJCF Endorses Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act of 2007

Bill Would Increase Conservation & Bring Meaningful Aid to New Jersey Farmers

FAR HILLS, NJ, March 15, 2007 – The Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act of 2007 was introduced today in the U.S. Senate by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and in the House of Representatives by U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) with Congressmen Jim Saxton (R-NJ 3rd), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ 2nd), Albio Sires (D-NJ-13th), Frank Pallone (D-NJ 6th), Bill Pascrell (D-NJ 8th) and Rush Holt (D-NJ 12th) co-sponsoring its introduction. The New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF) strongly supports this legislation, which will help our farmers, consumers and the environment.

“We really appreciate our Congressional delegation’s leadership on this important bill,” said Alison E. Mitchell, NJCF Policy Director. “New Jersey’s Congressional leaders clearly understand the importance of agriculture to our state. NJCF wants to preserve farmland and we want to keep farmers farming because sustainable agriculture is vital to New Jersey’s future. We know that changing federal farm policy will not be an easy task and we look forward to working with our national leaders to make the next Farm Bill more beneficial to New Jersey farmers, consumers and our environment.”

NJCF has been working with Environmental Defense, the Wilderness Society and the New Jersey Congressional delegation for a farm bill that emphasizes conservation and nutritional program funding as well as support for smaller, environmentally sustainable farms.

The Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act of 2007 is a statement by members of Congress for their priorities in the 2007 Farm Bill, which is expected to be introduced in Congress in the fall. The farm bill could provide unprecedented resources to help New Jersey protect its farmland, combat sprawl and protect wetlands. One of the most successful Farm Bill programs in our state, the Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program has helped permanently preserve 12,500 acres of New Jersey farmland. The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), another program administered under the Farm Bill, provided nearly $5.18 million to NJCF to preserve and restore approximately 2,200 acres of wetlands in the heart of the Pine Barrens on the Franklin Parker Preserve. And landowner demand for funding from WRP in New Jersey far exceeds the annual supply.

A proposed new U.S. Department of Agriculture suburban and community forest protection program could save threatened private forestland in the Highlands, while increased program funding for conservation programs such as the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program would help landowners protect natural resources.

The “farm to cafeteria” program is a proposed innovative program that would provide schoolchildren in New Jersey with greater access to healthy fruits and vegetables, and increase marketing opportunities for New Jersey farmers.

The legislation also helps address the growing demand by American consumers for local and healthy food. Each year, the United States increases its imports of organic products because demand exceeds domestic production. The bill provides more funding to help New Jersey farmers who want to convert to organic production, and thus help reverse the tide driving America to import more and more organic food. It creates new funding to help establish more farmers’ markets and expands coupon programs that help low income families and the elderly shop at farmers’ markets.

The bill includes major new funding to help protect farmland, forests, and environmentally-sensitive lands from sprawl. It allows more than 2.75 million acres of wetlands to be restored and protected around the country and provides $300 million for the protection of farmland from sprawl and development and $300 million for the restoration and management of wildlife habitat.

“More than 15 percent of the state’s farmland has been placed under permanent easements,” said Greg Romano, NJCF Assistant Director and Director of Statewide Land Acquisition. “Those easements protect our valuable soils and farm and forestland from being consumed by sprawl, but farmland continues to be threatened. This legislation would provide unprecedented resources to help New Jersey protect its farmland and combat sprawl, including funds to protect more than 6 million acres of farm, forest and wetland nationally.”

The bill proposes more than $1 billion new dollars dedicated to voluntary efforts that help farmers manage their lands in ways that enhance the environment and farm operations. One of those challenges is our climate and the growing impact that fossil fuel consumption is having on our planet. The bill has a major focus on expanding the ability of our farmers to meet America’s energy needs with environmentally-friendly renewable energy.

“Many farmers want to do more to help the environment, but limited resources are impeding their efforts,” said Mitchell. “In 2004, 77% of New Jersey farmers that asked for federal help to improve the environment, were denied assistance. This legislation is a chance to make sure that we reward – not reject – farmers when they offer to help meet our environmental needs.”

Since 1960, NJCF has preserved over 100,000 acres of land from the New Jersey Highlands to the Delaware Bayshore, permanently protecting forests, farmland and natural resources, all vital to New Jersey’s future. For more information on saving New Jersey’s precious natural areas and natural resources, contact the New Jersey Conservation Foundation at 1-888-LAND-SAVE (1-888-526-3728) or visit our website at www.njconservation.org.