(WHITE TOWNSHIP, NJ – February 22, 2023) – Proposed state legislation that would protect New Jersey farmland from falling under control of hostile foreign governments won support from the Warren County Board of County Commissioners tonight.

“Food security is national security and we cannot risk nations that wish to undermine us taking control of our farmland, particularly here in New Jersey,” Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla said.

A resolution adopted by the commissioners expresses the board's support for New Jersey Senate Bill 3534 (S-3534) and encourages the State Senate and Assembly to pass it.

Introduced on January 30, 2023 by state Sen. Douglas J. Steinhardt of District 23, which includes much of Warren County, and co-sponsored by state Sen. Michael Testa Jr. of District 1, S-3534 would restrict foreign governments and persons from acquiring, purchasing, or otherwise obtaining agricultural land in New Jersey.

The Board of County Commissioners’ resolution recognizes that food security is national security and that rising concerns exist regarding foreign governments and persons acquiring American farmland.

“New Jersey is known as the Garden State and we should be doing everything in our power to keep it that way,” Commissioner James R. Kern III said, adding, “This board has been long committed to the preservation of our farmland and tackling the many challenges that face the agriculture industry. This bill, sponsored by Senator Steinhardt, addresses a new threat to our farming community. It is vital that our land remains part of America’s food supply and I hope that Trenton will support the senator’s proposal.”

With the resolution, the Board of County Commissioners recognized the importance of protecting New Jersey's agricultural land from acquisition by hostile foreign governments or persons and resolved that S-3534 will help to achieve that goal.

“We’re an agricultural community and it’s important to our economy and the rest of northwestern New Jersey’s economies that our farmland stay in the hands of those who will be feeding our families,” Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski said.

“Warren County works tirelessly to protect our farming community and this bill is necessary to protect this state from the potential reality of nations who are unfriendly to the US hindering our ability to produce food for our own domestic needs,” Commissioner Director Ciesla said.

Commissioner James R. Kern III, left, reads his resolution supporting New Jersey Senate Bill 3534 into the record as Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla and Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski listen. The Board unanimously adopted the resolution.

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF WARREN

 RESOLUTION

            On a motion by Jason J. Sarnoski, seconded by James R. Kern III, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Warren at a meeting held February 22, 2023.

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING S-3534

WHEREAS, Warren County recognizes that food security is national security; and

WHEREAS, there are rising concerns of foreign governments and persons acquiring American farmland; and

WHEREAS, it is critical that New Jersey farms are protected from falling under control of hostile foreign governments; and

WHEREAS, S-3534 would prohibit any foreign government or foreign person from acquiring, purchasing, or otherwise obtaining a legal, beneficial, or other interest in any agricultural land in the State on or after the bill’s effective date, with limited exceptions; and

WHEREAS, "Foreign government" means any government other than the government of the United States or of its states, territories, possessions, or any political subdivision thereof; and

WHEREAS, "Foreign government" includes an agent, trustee, or fiduciary thereof, acting for a foreign government; and

WHEREAS, "Foreign person" means any individual who is not a citizen of the United States and is a nonresident alien or a resident alien of the United States or one of its states, territories, or possessions; any corporation, partnership, association, or other legal entity created under the laws of a foreign government; or any corporation, partnership, association, or other legal entity, created under the laws of the United States or any of its political subdivisions, the majority of the ownership of which is directly or indirectly held, legally or beneficially, by one or more foreign governments, by one or more foreign persons, by one or more legal entities created under the laws of a foreign government, or by any combination thereof; and

WHEREAS, “Foreign person” includes an agent, trustee, or fiduciary thereof, acting for a foreign person; and

WHEREAS, S-3534 requires the Secretary of Agriculture, no more than 90 days after the effective date of the bill, and annually thereafter, to report to the Governor and the Legislature:

1. The total acreage of agricultural land in the State that is owned by foreign governments or foreign persons.
2. The percentage change in the amount on in-State agricultural land acreage owned by foreign governments or foreign persons, per year, over the preceding 10 years.
3. The top 10 nationalities of foreign governments or foreign persons owning agricultural land in the State, by total amount of acreage owned; and
4. The purposes for which agricultural land owned by foreign governments or foreign persons has been used in the preceding five years, and any significant changes or trends in the use of such land.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Warren does hereby support S-3534, a bill introduced to the New Jersey State Senate on January 30, 2023 by Senator Douglas J. Steinhardt of District 23 and sponsored by Senator Douglas J. Steinhardt of District 23 and Senator Michael L. Testa, Jr. of District 1, restricting ownership of agricultural land in the State by foreign governments and persons to protect New Jersey farmland from falling under control of hostile foreign agents.

ROLL CALL:  Mr. Sarnoski yes, Mr. Kern yes, Ms. Ciesla yes.