Governor Corzine wants to delete the state’s Department of Agriculture. The role of the Department of Environmental Protection – which would be the new liaison for farmers under Corzine’s plan – doesn’t include caring for the needs of farms and farmers. But NJ is The Garden State! We need our farms, and what’s more, without them NJ will quickly turn into a cultural desert of mini-McMansions and strip malls. What a waste!
Robert Von Thun Jr., who grows vegetables, fruit and flowers on his South Brunswick farm, said farmers understand the need to streamline state government, but contends the Agriculture Department already runs efficiently.