TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblyman Ron Dancer wants to help New Jersey farmers feeling the sting from the loss of important pollinators, most notably the honey bee and monarch butterfly, by establishing a year-long task force committed to combating the problem. The Assembly Agriculture Committee voted unanimously to release his...
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TRENTON, N.J. – The Assembly Agriculture Committee today released legislation, sponsored by Assemblyman Ron Dancer, allowing farmers to recover reasonable costs and attorney fees incurred while defending against a false complaint by neighbors. Over the years, residential development has encroached more and more into traditionally rural areas in close...
TRENTON, N.J. – The Assembly Agriculture Committee advanced legislation exempting farmers markets from a law requiring certain baked goods to be sold by weight. “New Jersey’s local farmers markets are healthy, quaint, and good. They are places where neighbors and friends can gather literally to share the fruits of...
TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblyman Ron Dancer introduced legislation last week in an effort to significantly boost funding for the Jersey Fresh program. The bill (A5045) would make a supplemental appropriation of $200,000 from the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund. The state’s current 2021 budget allocates $100,000. “This creates an additional...
TRENTON, N.J. – A 2014 pilot program that allows wineries on preserved farmlands to host special events is being compromised by a 2017 rule imposing onerous reporting requirements according to Assemblyman Ron Dancer. Today the Assembly Agriculture Committee approved Dancer’s resolution (ACR117) that declared the 2017 Winery Special Events...
TRENTON, N.J. – This week the governor signed legislation (A3592/S1953), sponsored by Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths, establishing food hubs to strengthen small-scale New Jersey farms. Food hubs help connect food producers to new markets and services. Selling through a food hub can supplement revenue for small to...
TRENTON, N.J. – The Assembly Appropriations Committee approved a bill (A544), sponsored by Assemblyman Ron Dancer, that will establish a loan program and provide tax credits for new vineyards and wineries in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Monmouth and Ocean counties. “New Jersey’s wine industry is very valuable. It not...
TRENTON, N.J. – Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation today establishing a small business loan program for farming equipment purchases and dairy farm operations. The program will be administered by the Economic Development Authority. Sponsored by Assemblymen Hal Wirths and Ron Dancer, the bill (A5595) allows two or more farming...
TRENTON, N.J. – The Assembly Agriculture Committee today advanced Assemblyman Ron Dancer’s resolution designating September as Honey Month in New Jersey. “Honey is a valuable commodity for our state, bringing in more than $2.8 million in annual sales for farmers and beekeepers,” said Dancer (R-Ocean). “Honey Month will increase...
TRENTON, N.J. – Legislation assisting farms with loans to buy equipment was approved today by the Assembly. Sponsored by Assemblymen Hal Wirths and Ron Dancer, the bill (S2401/A3810/2535) creates a 15-year small-loan program for farmers, farm co-ops and dairies to finance machinery purchases. The program will be administered by...