August 2024 Newsletter

Farewell, August Heat—Hello, September!

I hope you’ve had a fantastic summer and a restful Labor Day! As we welcome the cooler days of September, I’d like to share some exciting updates from August.

This month, the first meeting for the Sussex County Farmland Preservation Plan update was held. I met with a subcommittee from the Sussex County Agriculture Development Board, the county engineer, and the Land Conservancy to talk about the project’s direction and schedule. A key priority discussed is virtual outreach to municipalities, engaging town planners, administrators, mayors, and council members. This outreach will build upon the foundation set by the Farmland Revitalization Tour conducted earlier this winter & spring, ensuring that our preservation goals are aligned with each town’s unique vision. While our previous goal was to preserve 25,000 acres of farmland by 2018, we currently stand at 19,415 acres. This underscores the importance of active participation and collaboration as we work towards a more achievable plan.

On the agritourism front, I’m excited to share progress with the Tri-County Agritourism Initiative along Tri-County Route 519. To date, six farms in Sussex County have committed to participating, with a goal of starting with 8-10 farms. As the harvest season winds down, I’m confident we’ll secure additional commitments as farmers will have more time to explore and engage with the initiative. A follow-up meeting with Hunterdon and Warren county officials and administrations to review progress is scheduled for this fall. If you have any questions or know of a farm that might benefit from joining, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

As always, I’ll keep you updated as these projects evolve. Your continued support means a great deal, and I’m excited about the opportunities ahead for our community. Together, we can continue to make a lasting difference that supports the growth and success of our communities here in Sussex County.

Sincerely,

Jack DeGroot