October 2024 Newsletter
Happy Election Day!
As we transition from October to November, today—November 5th—is Election Day! I encourage you to take the time to vote and make your voice heard at the polls. While you wait to cast your ballot or for tonight’s election results, I invite you to read about some of the progress I’ve made over the past month as your Sussex County Commissioner.
I’m excited to announce that we recently held our first public meeting for the Sussex County Farmland Preservation Plan Update. With over 45 residents in attendance, this remarkable turnout not only highlights community interest but also reflects a strong commitment to preserving our rural heritage in Sussex County. During the meeting, I stressed the importance of establishing realistic and achievable goals for our preservation efforts. For instance, in our last updated plan from 2008, the county aimed to preserve 25,000 acres of farmland within a decade. Now, as we approach 2024, we’ve successfully preserved approximately 19,500 acres—an undershoot of 5,500 acres over 16 years instead of the intended 10. This emphasizes the critical need for attainable targets within a reasonable timeframe in our new update. We also addressed some challenges that have hindered our progress, including concerns about the price per acre offer to farmers for preservation and the lengthy process involved.
Furthermore, I highlighted the vital role municipalities play in shaping our county preservation strategies. Understanding whether each municipality leans toward an aggressive or cautious approach will enhance our collaborative efforts in developing the most effective plan possible. Our outreach with township engineers, planners, administrators, and municipal councils will take place at our next meeting on Tuesday, November 12th, at 9 a.m. via Zoom.
In summary, our recent meeting was productive and showcased outstanding public engagement. It’s essential to remember that while preserving farmland across our beautiful county is crucial, we must also support the farmers who cultivate the land. If there are no farmers, there will be no farms to preserve!
I’m excited to share an update on our County Seed Library! In October, Sussex County and I secured our second and third donations of vegetable and fruit seeds. These contributions have significantly enriched our seed library inventory, and we will continue to actively seek additional donations to expand our collection and maximize its impact on seniors and their families in Sussex County. Over the next few months, we will begin scheduling and discussing the educational phase of the seed library to ensure that our seeds grow into healthy, thriving plants, allowing seniors/residents to reap the rewards of their gardening efforts.
As always each month I will keep you informed every step of the way in my role as County Commissioner. Your continued support makes a tremendous difference, and I remain dedicated to working each day to create lasting improvements for Sussex County. Thank you, as always, for believing in our shared vision and for helping me drive growth and success for our community. And please don’t forget to vote!
Sincerely,
Jack DeGroot