The HcraM and The Uotera

Wednesday, November it, »«*»

WHAT FEET of man and animal trod the timbers of this ancient barn; what nhadowi did lantern light cant where now the aunbeama streak?

The Good Farmers

by PhHMp Aiaaapf Our rural onceatora, with little bleat. Patient of labour when the end was rest. Indulged the day that housed their annual grain. With feasts, and affrlngs, and a thankful strain. -Alexander Pope Each year as we aU prepare for the family-gathering and good eating that goes with the American tradition of Thanksgiving Day celebrations, my thoughts usually turn to our nation's first farmers. In New Jersey, settlers began plowing ground in the 1600s and have continued the farming tradition to the present day. Our history books tell us that times were very difficult, that the work of producing food, and indeed - survival - in this new land was very hard. Still, they paused after the harvest to give thanks. Over the centuries our farming has benefited from modem technology and scientific discovery, but in 1980 we know that times are still very difficult and the work of producing food is still very hard. Yet, we, too, pause to give thanks. NEW JERSEY CRANBERRIES were first marketed abroad by the New Jersey Cranberry Growers Association in 1862 when farmers cooperated to send this New World fruit to England. Since then, marketing efforts have taken our New Jersey products all over the world and we continue to produce a substantial amount of vegetables; 25 per cent of the non-citrus fruits; 24 per cent of the milk; 19 per cent erf the eggs and 5 per cent of the meat consumed by 7.3 million New Jerseyans is produced by our farmers. New Jersey enjoys prestigious national fanking for many of its farm products - not all of which are food items. Although many of New Jersey’s urban citizens are sometimes surprised to learn of it, New Jersey’s agriculture is one of the

state’s leading industries. New Jersey’s variety of agricultural products includes our nursery products, sod, Christmas trees, eggs, orchids, fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy and poultry products and fish and seafood products. In addition to these products, New Jersey’s much respected agricultural know-how and leadership are shared all over the world. EARLY THIS MONTH our state Environmental Commissioner Jerry Fitzgerald English Joined 1 me in presenting to the Governor an official copy of the far : mland study report, “Grassroots: An Agriculture Retention and Development Program for New Jersey.’’ The report contains, recommendations to assure a land base and a vital farming industry for future generations and through the efforts of all New Jersey citizens, we can expect the farming traditions of our rural ancestors to conthuie. My position takes me all over the state from Sussex to Cape May county, and again and again I give thanks for the bountiful produce, for the stout-hearted farmers and for the good land and climate that enables us to provide what I consider to be the best food and agricultural products in the world. As you gather for your Thanksgiving Day Feast with family and friends and look down a table filled with tasty helpings of pumpkin and fruit pies, next to the turkey and cranberries, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, com, onion and green vegetables, as well as homemade breads, rich butter, cheese and fresh milk - please Join me in giving thanks for our bounty and for the labor of our good farmers as we close yet another grateful ’ harvest in the Garden State, r Philip Alampl is N. J. Secretary of Agriculture.

FIRST CALL FOR/HELP 729-2255 Q. Last year 1 had trouble paying the increase on my energy bills 1 went to the Wildwood Community Center and 1 was able to apply for Energy Crisis Assistance Program but the funding did not come through until May Although 1 am working, I have a very low income. When and where should I apply this year for this emergency money? A. This year the Energy Assistance Program will be called the HEAP program and handled by* Cape May County Welfare Board. For further information call 729-9200 q. What is Women in Touch’’ I am a displaced homemaker and I have been reading a lot about this program Could you explain a little more about what it is? A. The W I T. (Women in Touch) program offers individual counselling for

persons who are in need of individual, legal rights, financial counselling, etc. — to know where they stand in the area of employment, housing, and other support services in the community. They will begin operation shortly and hope to sponsor workshops in parenting and conscienceness raising. They are also working on a job bank for temporary employment. For further information call Elsa Vernon at CETA-CHR office R86-9509 First Call For Help is interested in getting you the help you need when you have a social service problem which you can not solve. This is not an emergency hotline for Fire, Police, or Rescue. This service is free and confidential. If you have a question for the First -Call For Help column write to David G. Quinlan Jr., First Call For Help/ P.O. Box 222, Social Services Building, Rio Grande, NJ 08242 or call 729-CALL

BY THE WAYSIDE thb hayrake gathers rust, companion to a shedding mimosa; Us use no4 needed in fields where only

homes and people grow.

Buying Private Land for the Public Good

Public meetings are scheduled to take place today (Tuesday) at opposite sides of the

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Jersey Cape peninsula, and it is our suggestion that authorities in the one area carefully consider what officials in the other are doing. In Avalon, at long last, final action is to be taken by the Borough Council on the purchase of a valuable back bay marina parcel.The governing body will be using taxpayer’s money, in the form of a $2.35 million public bond issue, to purchase just under 3 acres of prime waterfront land. The council members have championed the purchase on the grounds that the public’s acquiring the property will keep it from being developed into condominiums or townhouses; and that at the same time it will keep the land open as a public recreation facility. IN LOWER TOWNSHIP THIS AFTERNOON at 2 there is the first of two publit meetings (the second is Wednesday night at 7) to hear suggestions from the citizenry on what type of projects the township should apply for

under a community development program funded by federal monies. Among the several uses federal funds could be put to is acquisition of real property for conservation activities. There is no guarantee that the township will receive funding. And there are undoubtedly other worthwhile public projects. But we feel this would provide an ideal opportunity for the township to go on record taking a tack for the public purchase of privately held land in the public interest. We’re talking about the township coming out in favor of using federal funds for the purchase of waterfront dunelands — taking the sand dunes currently held by private owners off the market. THERE CURRENTLY IS A CONTROVERSY over a township developer bulldozing down the rear portion of protective bayfront dunes. There is even a longer problem involving the oceanfront beachfront (Page 27 Please)