LAUTENBERG: SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION WITH MORE THAN $1 MILLION FOR AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS IN NEW JERSEY

LAUTENBERG: SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION WITH MORE THAN $1 MILLION FOR AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS IN NEW JERSEY
Measure Includes $500,000 for Statewide Gypsy Moth Eradication, Advances to President's Desk for Signature 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced the Senate approved the FY 2010 Agriculture Appropriations conference report, which would bring more than $1 million for agriculture projects in New Jersey.  Included in the legislation is $500,000 to bolster New Jersey's gypsy moth suppression program in order to preserve thousands of acres of threatened trees.  The measure will now head to President Obama to be signed into law.   

"Many New Jersey communities are struggling to keep up with the costs of basic needs, leaving inadequate resources to stop gypsy moths from ravaging our trees," stated Lautenberg.  "This funding will help eradicate gypsy moth populations, saving trees and property throughout our state.  This measure will also invest in research to improve our blueberry and cranberry industry and provide resources for farmers to manage and conserve their land.  I am proud to have helped secure this funding, which will go a long way to preserve our tress, benefit New Jersey farmers and boost the economy."

Agriculture Funds for New Jersey

· $500,000 for statewide gypsy moth eradication activities. A joint study carried out by the Department of Agriculture and the N.J. Forest Service in the late summer of 2008 found that more than 30,000 acres of trees were killed by gypsy moth caterpillars. This year, 74 municipalities and local agencies are planning to participate in New Jersey's gypsy moth suppression program with more than 45,000 acres of residential, state and federal forested properties in 17 counties to be treated.

· $236,000 for Conservation Technical Assistance in New Jersey.  The funds will be used to help address the needs of NJ farmers in vegetable, grain, livestock, nursery, fruit and hay growing operations; and address non-agricultural neighbor complaints about air, noise, odors, dust and water use by traditional agricultural operations.  The conservation practices allow farmers to better manage land and water resources, protect water quality, better utilize animal waste and sustain productive soils.

· $550,000 for the Rutgers University Marucci Center for Blueberry & Cranberry Research in Chatsworth.  New Jersey is the nation's second largest producer of highbush blueberries and the third largest producer of cranberries. In 2007, New Jersey-grown blueberries and cranberries brought in more than $110 million in farm sales. Successful cultivation of blueberries and cranberries requires ongoing research to develop disease and insect resistant varieties and to develop environmentally-sound pest control management strategies.  This center supports growers in New Jersey and nationally by breeding varieties of fruit with improved quality and pest resistance; developing technologies that minimize pesticide use, thereby decreasing environmental impacts; and investigating value-added products, including enhancement of beneficial health properties.

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