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There needs to be a trained and educated workforce in order for the agricultural industry to grow in New Jersey. Education in agriculture production and business practices is just as important for those currently involved in agriculture as it is for those who have an interest in changing to or initially choosing a career in agriculture. There are many partners involved in meeting the education needs of the agricultural industry. The resources of Rutgers, Cook College, and the Agriculture Experiment Station play a key role in delivering production and business practices to farmers and agribusiness people. The resources of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Department of Labor assist in the outreach to and education of farmers and farm workers on issues of pesticide handling and workplace safety. Through the interagency agreements between the New Jersey Department of Education and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, secondary agricultural education programs are provided with stronger curriculum and technology. This, in turn, prepares better agricultural employees. Exposing young people to agriculture lays the groundwork for future interest in agricultural careers.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, we the delegates of the 88th State Agricultural Convention assembled in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on January 29, 2003 commend the NJDA and the NJDOE for their efforts to provide citizens of New Jersey with a statewide program of quality agricultural education and that the NJDA be encouraged to continue this interagency agreement with the NJDOE on a permanent basis to administer agricultural education and FFA in New Jersey.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, in an effort to prepare individuals for leadership and careers in agriculture, we support the New Jersey Department of Education's recognition of the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Career Cluster as a systematic and focused approach to career education in schools.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we support the education of the next generation of agriculturalists, by exposing young people to opportunities in agriculture through agriculture in the classroom; after-school experiences like 4-H; and to leadership and careers through secondary agricultural education, which includes work-based learning and FFA.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we support continuing education of existing and interested individuals in production practices, research and business management techniques. This includes extension outreach, professional development training through the New Jersey Agriculture Leadership Development Program, and new farmer training for career transitions into agriculture.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we support all efforts in education and training of the agricultural workforce. This includes properly trained and certified agriculture teachers, farm safety training, worker protection education, English as a second language, as well as production technique training.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we support education of consumers and the general public of New Jersey on the quality of locally produced products and the role agriculture plays in the state's economy and how a working agriculture landscape contributes to the quality of life for the citizens of the state. We also encourage farmers to educate their neighbors about agriculture production and practices.