March 2024 Newsletter
Welcome April Rain Showers, Farewell March Snow
Reflecting on wisdom from a former South Jersey County Commissioner he emphasized that optimal county services rely on two crucial factors: Funding and Staffing. Upon assessing our Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program, it became apparent that despite adequate funding, staffing was lacking. These programs fall under Sussex County’s Planning department, tasked not only with managing Farmland and Open Space Preservation but also a diverse array of projects, spanning from engineering endeavors such as roads and bridges to waste water management, development review, and transportation planning. In response to this assessment, I researched and accomplished the following throughout March:
Seeing an opportunity, I proposed adjusting wages for three vacant planning department positions to attract and retain skilled staff.
With my fellow commissioners’ support, we approved a resolution in our recent meeting, providing around a $10,000 increase for AG Specialist, Senior Planner, and Principal Planner positions. These adjustments aim to make these roles competitive and in line with state and surrounding county job openings.
Since these roles are farmland and open space preservation related, the funds for these salary adjustments come from the farmland preservation and open space fund, hence not affecting Sussex County’s operating budget.
By filling these vacancies, the planning department can focus on delivering efficient county services. If you or someone you know has the skills and passion for planning or agriculture, explore job opportunities on the County's website.
Continued progress has been achieved towards the goal of supporting agricultural programs at Sussex County Community College and Technical School. Below outlines the advancements made during March:
Met with the program supervisor for Agriculture and Horticulture programs at Sussex County Community College, Erin Shroll. We discussed two key aspects: advancing the program through the Community College Agriculture Advancement Act and improving recruitment and retention.
Regarding program advancement, I visited Hudson Farms and explored their impressive greenhouse operation. I suggest initiating an internship or apprenticeship program at Hudson Farms, leveraging their year-round facilities to offer students valuable hands-on experience. This opportunity will not only enrich their skills but also build and strengthen student’s resumes.
For recruitment and retention I visited Sussex Tech, where I found enthusiasm for collaboration between their AG program and the community college.
Farmland Preservation Update: In March, I visited our FIRST applicant farm in Hampton, a stunning 154-acre property boasting thriving commodity crop fields. The ongoing revitalization tour has continued serving as a personal outreach endeavor to connect with communities and reaffirm our dedication to conserving Sussex County's agricultural legacy. Throughout the month, I engaged with the following municipal committees to foster collaboration:
Montague Township's Committee
Wantage Township’s Committee
Sandyston Township’s Committee
In summary, my initial three months of enhancing the planning department, outreach for our farmland preservation program, and initiating discussions for advancing Sussex County’s Tech School and Community College’s Ag programs have shown promising progress. I remain dedicated to advancing these endeavors to their fullest potential for the benefit of Sussex County. Your ongoing support is immensely valued, and I am enthusiastic about the opportunities that await. Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Jack DeGroot