[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 59

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

217th LEGISLATURE

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2016 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  RONALD S. DANCER

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)

Assemblyman  BOB ANDRZEJCZAK

District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)

Assemblyman  PARKER SPACE

District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)

Assemblywoman  GAIL PHOEBUS

District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)

Assemblyman  ERIC HOUGHTALING

District 11 (Monmouth)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman Pinkin

SYNOPSIS

     Recognizes and supports New Jersey State FFA Association and role of agricultural education in NJ.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on March 3, 2016, with amendments.

An Assembly Resolution recognizing and supporting the New Jersey State FFA Association and the vital role of agricultural education in New Jersey. 

Whereas, Agriculture is a vital part of the New Jersey economy, comprising ¹[10,300 farms on 730,000] more than 9,000 farms on more than 715,000¹ acres of land, and generating ¹[$1.12] $1.14¹ billion in sales in ¹[2011] 2012¹ ; and

Whereas, New Jersey produces more than 100 different kinds of fruits and vegetables, and is a national “Top-10” producer of cranberries, bell peppers, spinach, peaches, blueberries, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, apples, sweet corn, and snap beans; and

Whereas, The State also has thriving nursery, greenhouse, sod, equine, poultry and egg, and dairy industries, and a burgeoning wine-making industry; and

Whereas, In order to preserve the great vitality and diversity of New Jersey’s agricultural industry, the State must retain and support the farmers, biologists, chemists, veterinarians, engineers, and entrepreneurs who make it possible; and

Whereas, Founded in 1928, “Future Farmers of America” (FFA) helps to prepare each new generation of farmers for the challenges of feeding a growing population by providing agricultural education and career guidance to students across the country; and 

Whereas, The National FFA Organization, which operates under a Congressional Charter, Public Law 105-225, seeks to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth, and career success in the agricultural sector; and

Whereas, Today, there are ¹[579,678] more than 610,000¹ FFA members, aged 12 to 21, representing diverse ethnic and geographic backgrounds, in ¹[7,570] 7,665¹ chapters throughout the country; and 

Whereas, Over 11,000 FFA advisors and teachers provide students with instruction in fields like agriscience, biotechnology, agriculture mechanics, horticulture, animal science, and the environment, enabling students to discover their career paths and realize success; and

Whereas, FFA’s innovative “three-circle model” of agricultural education includes laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experience programs, and State and national student leadership organizations; and

Whereas, In addition to providing quality agricultural education, the FFA sponsors numerous programs and events, such as the annual agriscience fair and the National FFA Convention and Expo, and provides collegiate scholarships and grants to outstanding farming students; and

Whereas, The New Jersey State FFA Association, composed of 37 chapters, provides personal, career, and leadership development activities to 2,600 members in the State; and

Whereas, New Jersey’s connection to the FFA dates back to 1928, when Leslie Applegate, a New Jersey student, was elected as the organization’s first National President; and

Whereas, Since then, tens of thousands of New Jersey students, and millions of students across the country, have continued the FFA’s tradition of “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, and Living to Serve”; and

Whereas, The hope of future farmers is exemplified by the FFA’s creed, which states, in part: “I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds – achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years”; and

Whereas, This House notes that 2014 marked the 40th anniversary of the FFA electing the first African-American, Fred McClure, from Texas, to a National FFA office; and

Whereas, ¹[2014 also marked] The FFA celebrated in 2014¹ the 45th anniversary of the FFA opening membership to high school girls for the first time, and today, females make up 44 percent of the organization’s members and half of its leadership; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

     1.    This House recognizes and supports the New Jersey State FFA Association for helping to prepare the next generation of farmers in the State by developing students’ potential for leadership, personal growth, and career success in the agricultural sector.  This House also recognizes the vital role that agricultural education plays in retaining the farmers, biologists, chemists, veterinarians, engineers, and entrepreneurs needed to keep New Jersey’s agricultural sector prosperous and diverse.

     2.    Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Secretary of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the
Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education, the National FFA Organization, and the New Jersey State FFA Association.