Though most farms in New Jersey are family owned and operated, many of them need to hire labor in order to operate successfully. From the planting and harvest of grains, fruits and vegetables, to the daily care of plants and animals, agriculture is a labor-intensive industry. In order to ensure the future of agriculture, New Jersey must not only preserve its farmland, but also address the needs of its farm workforce.

The Department has established a three-part approach to farm labor in New Jersey, which encompasses the following areas:
- Ensuring an adequate, qualified and legal workforce
- Advocating for decent, safe and sanitary housing
- Encouraging ongoing worker education programs.

All three areas are of equal importance and depend upon each other.

In ensuring a farm labor workforce, the problem of illegal migration is one that must be addressed on the Federal level. The federal government must reform the current practices for obtaining temporary agricultural worker visas, create counterfeit-resistant identification cards and establish an earned adjustment of status program.

All farm laborers have the right to live and work in a safe environment and earn a fair wage. However, we cannot support legislation that causes New Jersey farmers to be at a competitive disadvantage with neighboring states.

Workers have the right to decent, safe and sanitary housing. Labor supply and training are key for sustaining and growing the agricultural industry in New Jersey. Programs that support worker training, health and safety, and address issues such as housing will be part of the Department’s outreach and education efforts.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the delegates to the 90th State Agriculture Convention, assembled in Atlantic City, New Jersey on January 24-26, 2005, support the efforts of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to ensure a stable source of well-trained and legal farm workers.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we support the implementation of federal legislation which reforms the policies and procedures surrounding temporary agricultural worker visas, creates counterfeit-resistant identification and establishes an earned adjustment of status program.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we support the use of USDA Farm Labor Housing Programs to address the housing requirements needed to provide decent, safe and sanitary living conditions for the agricultural workforce.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, New Jersey Farm Bureau and Rutgers University to work cooperatively with the Governor and the Legislature in developing an agricultural assistance program to offset the economic impact of a state minimum wage increase that results in New Jersey farmers suffering a competitive disadvantage in the marketplace severely impacting farm viability. This program must include components that directly address the additional labor costs to farmers that result from such an increase.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we support efforts to ensure the proper training and education of the farm work force especially as it relates to worker health and safety.