we think it will change the occasion the governor cuts a deal for the controversial state NJ proper tax why advocates say this is not the best use of taxpayer money.

>> It becomes a passion but you have to remember it is business.

>> We light the agriculture industry including the top crops from the garden state how fresh produce makes it to schools and legacy of black farmers in New Jersey that.

is ahead on "NJ Business Beat."

This is "NJ Business Beat."

Hello.

Thanks for joining me.

New Jersey seniors are poised for a big property tax cut.

Governor Murphy and democratic leaders have tenths actively agreed on a revised state N.J. tax relief despite mounting opposition from policy advocates.

It will effectively cut property taxes in half for older residents making less than a half million dollars a year.

The tax cuts would start in 2026 but advocates point out the full cost is still unknown and as we see they argue even the revised version of "StayNJ" only benefit the wealthy at the expense of lower income seniors.

>> We think it will change the equation as they are at that kitchen table thinking about can they afford to stay here.

Some advocates applauded the plan to cut property taxes in half for seniors in New Jersey even though it is a reduced benefit with an income cap "StayNJ" aims to shield folks on fixed incomes from onerous bills to force them from home runs and though it won't kick in until 2026 it cuss renters says the AARP spokesman.

>> With an income cap more reSAORs could be directed to our renters.

>> Initially speaker Craig Coughlin's "StayNJ" plan offered a 50% credit for all seniors but after critics including the governor called it a benefit for the richest homeowners the top three democratic lawmakers reached a compromise.

The 50% credit is capped at $6,500 instead of 10,000.

It includes a tax credit for renters not just homeowners and for Democrats on the husband continuation it is sweet campaign candy but not everyone is running for re-election.

I question if someone who is making half a million dollars a year really needs help from the state it pay property taxes.

>> A assemblywoman who isn't on the November ballot continues to voice concerns.

She says "StayNJ" fails to help the folks who need it most even though the latest compromise with add another $250 in the next budget to the current anchor rebate program for homeowners and renters.

>> To me it goes back to the issue of equity, what will this provide for the over 50% of plaque and Hispanic seniors who rent their homes versus live and owner occupied.

>> It is less regressive than the original proposal but still has the same fundamental flaws that the original proposal.

>> And budget analysts keep revising the estimates downward when the bill for "StayNJ" comes due in three years could New Jersey afford to pay it?

>> I don't know if that is the best way to spend money we we are not, when we are facing serious fiscal cliffs.

Transit is facing a difficult sit.

It is pretty obvious this is what they want voters to remember.

SKWRA>> Micah Rasmussen says a worn tactic that is brazen but effective as all 120 legislative seats go on the ballot in a low turnout that has some Democrats conclusion their nails.

You are saying we are cutting the property tax in half that is a powerful talking point and strongance.

So I expect it to have an impact.

>> It is nothing more than an looks year gimmick to try to essentially purchase votes and we know the money might not be able to be there in three years.

>> Republicans have their own plan to immediately return some of New Jersey's current revenue bonus to taxpayers.

>> Why not do something that will give immediate relief?

We have a $10 billion ESPN+.

People can get relief immediately.

Why are we delaying in until 2026?

>> With Democrats holding a Trenton trifecta the G.O.B.

plan is D.O.U.

and no estimate for "StayNJ" but will it get full funding we the ESPN+s many predict runs woefully short.

>> Pharmaceutical giant America America cut the ribbon on a new global headquarters in a way.

It served as the global headquarters almost 30 years ago as well.

Governor Murphy, the Merck C.E.O.

and several leaders were on happened.

It consolidates Merck's New Jersey campuses to one site.

Merck previously held its headquarters in White House station and kindle worth.

B Bioa science is one of the top emerging industries in New Jersey.

This week we are highlighting one of the garden state's oldest and most important industries, agriculture.

There is a reason we are called the garden state.

For centuries our industry has evolved and stood the test of time with New Jersey serving as a leader in the production of many fruits and vegetables.

According to the USDA there are close to 10,000 farms operating in New Jersey on a total of 750,000 acres of farmland.

It is the top producer of eggplant according to the state agriculture department and number four in asparagus an spi spinach.

But it produces millions of other crops including close to 69 million dollars of blueberries, $52 million in bell peppers and $51 worth of corn.

Who doesn't love flowers.

New Jersey is responsible for $342 million of flower sales the past year.

The man behind all of this agriculture success in New Jersey is saying so long in one week.

Doug fisher has been head of the department of agriculture 14 years ago and has seen a lot of evolution in the industry over the past decade.

I sat down with him to discuss his accomplishments in office and what he sees in the future for the agriculture industry.

>> Secretary fisher, welcome to "Biz Beat."

>> Nice to be here.

>> First and foremost congratulations on your retirement.

14 years in office.

>> Yes, it has been an amazing run.

I have had some very satisfying times serving the public and 14 years, three administrations it has been quite a ride.

>> I got to travel to bridgeton yesterday and I got to see how agriculture is so important especially to schools.

Let's talk about farm to school and what is going on this.

>> We are trying honestly very hard in this department to make sure we get more of our farm products, local farm products from the footage farmers into the schools.

The bridgeton system has been doing a phenomenal job.

I know -- by the way that is my hometown.

I know it well.

Warren deshields has been running the program there and working with local farmers and the fact that farm to school is not just getting the products in but the educational and nutritional education that people get, students get when they come to realize what it means to get fresh fruits and vegetables and produce that is all the farm products into the Cav tear addition.

>> -- cafeterias.

>> Despite being surrounded by farms it is a produce desert, which is why programs and altos different things are so important to a school district like that.

>> Right.

What happens was over the years it could be very easy to call your supplier and say we need this and need that.

They put the bids in and get the product.

But it takes a much more concerted effort to be able to work locally to source locally and they are doing programs and working with distributors and doing many things that are able to be able to do that.

We are also doing school gardens which allows students to get a better understand of what it means to grow something to nurture and tend the crop and harvest and bring it into the classroom and school.

It is a many pronged effort.

>> We know that it is working there.

Would you like to see this expand to other school districts in the state?

It seems like a win, win, for were.

>> Absolutely.

It is expanding.

More schools every day are working to be able to -- they have to work with their business administrators, school boards have to buy in and understand what it means.

We are getting them any way we can.

The state legislature and governor has been helping provide funds to get more fresh products in food deserts.

It is across the spectrum the food security advocate we are working with a new office in but not of the department of agriculture is working hand in hand with any number of partners.

It takes that.

It takes partnerships and understanding school boards have to work with the town council and city council and mayor's office.

Once everybody gets on the program, it grows.

Then neighborhoods and folks that live in the neighborhood get involved.

>> Second fisher, thank you for your service and joining me on "Biz Beat."

I appreciate it.

>> Glad to be here.

>> 100 years there were nearly one million block farmers in the U.S. Today it is just 50,000.

New Jersey senator Cory booker Zeused legislation to better support the black farmer population and under discriminatory practices within the USDA.

His bill aims to protect black farmers from losing land and would create a new bank to provide financing and grants to help black farmers.

At a Juneteenth event he discussed how USDA policies harmed black farmers.

>> Blacks used to own about 15% of the land in the nation.

It there used to be over a million black farmers at the end of slavery.

Now there are barely 50,000.

Specific harms that were done by the United States department of agriculture denied African-Americans access to programs others got that gave them loans and insurance and often sought to bilk them out of their lands.

>> Some have managed to battle through discrimination to not only preserve their land but keep it in the family.

I traveled to K and J farms and talked to Kenny will talked about the hard working legacy of his grand father who faced discrimination as a farm and his experience running a farmer in the garden state.

>> Kenny, I'm a long way from home.

We are in south Jersey on this beautiful farm more than 60 acres?

>> About 65, I think.

>> Tell me a little bit about what you grow here.

>> We grow all types of vegetables.

Cucumbers, yellow squash, green squash, okra, beats, lettuce, kale, collardses, totals, peppers, four or five different types of beans, sweet potatoes, coffin, fiber beans, black eyed peas.

>> I'm trying to understand how you keep track of it.

>> Paperwork.

Walk around a lot.

And little sections all mapped out.

It all has a lot number.

Being find it.

I could go to a piece of paper and find everything.

>> For viewers it is serene.

I could put out a picnic blanket and take a nap but I know it was a labor of love and now one time your grandfather's and now yours and a family farm.

Tell me about what is it like to be a farm in 2023?

Whew, it is hard.

It is hard with the weather, like last summer was like one of the driest years.

It was a bad year.

This year is kind of, you know, here and there, but it is weather, man.

Weather, getting stuff sold.

We have fence here but most of the property do not have fence so a lot of the good stuff we put in the fence the deer won't eat.

>> We are in the garden state and people forget that.

You are very passionate about farming and you are passionate about taking over the farm and making this your career.

Why is that?

And why is it so is important now?

>> Trying to see something like happen with all the hard work you put in over the years, like trying to get to the point where this is all the hard work paid off.

The hard work you have been doing.

So so far it becomes a passion but you have to also remember it is business.

My grandfather, his love for it is like STAOEPLGS I think he love it -- sometimes I think he loved it more than the money.

But it is business, America.

He got over 40 years doing it.

He retired.

I picked it back up.

This is where we are at now.

>> We know that you modernized it with an Instagram -- >> You don't understand that stuff.

You have to chat.

You have to make it where people -- the first two years a lot of people came to the stand and they were like I never knew there was a black farmer.

Some have never seen a plaque farmer before.

I'm like they traveled just to do that.

>> I feel like in that respect you are a role model and setting an example and representing for other young men and children who may aspire to be a farmer that is special.

In addition to the farm what I love is that your crops are also used at schools?

>> Coming up this year we started with Cunningham academy.

They got a grant for a greenhouse and it was not being used so I went in with the kids and everything you see in this backfield the kids PHRAPBLTDed by seeds and we transplanted and at the come back to see what the seed did.

>> Tell me about why that was so important that farm to school relationship connection.

>> We got them out of classrooms and helped them see there is more to you know, you have to put in work but it growth as a kid growing up you see the plants growing and business-wise I was able to use the room to get more plants out and get more to sell.

>> We know there have been challenges.

Last time we spoke we were visiting some legislation trying to get past because even though you are making ways as one of the few block farmers in the area, we know there's been discrimination and challenges and your grandfather I spoke to him.

Where are you with that?

>> I like to get it where before we planted we already have a buyer for it so we don't have to go through all the stuff my grandfather went through in past years.

This year probably 90% of our crops will be going to common market and everything out here is going to a hospital, a school or a food bank somewhere here in New Jersey.

So we don't have to go let's pick it and see if somebody will buy it.

We don't have to do that.

It is going to a table, to a school or somewhere.

It is already put to use.

>> What are you most proud of on this journey?

>> Proud after all of these years having somewhere for the produced to go.

Not having to worry about I SPEUPT money to get it to this point and we have to throw it away.

I'm most proud of having a contract, having a home for the produce.

That's what I'm post proud of.

>> For young block men and women who will be watching this, who may aspire to be a farmer one d day, what would you say it them despite the exams and barriers what would you tell them?

>> Don't take short cuts.

If you are going to do it, do it.

Don't say uh this is hard.

Keep going.

Until you get to -- this didn't happen overnight.

There come from years of paying attention, watching, taking notes, seeing what the years can bring.

>> Plant that seed.

And watch it grow.

Thank you so much, Kenny.

>> Thank you for having me.

>> We learned this week one New Jersey college is getting millions in grants to improve agricultural education.

Bergen community college won a five-year $4.5 million grant to help train professionals in the food agriculture natural resources an human sciences industry.

Bergen county is already a leader in those fields with close to 68,000 employees earning $3 billion in WRAEUPBLGS and outputting $10 billion in economic activity the USDA says there grant will help those industries deal with growing staff being shortages and lack of skilled workers.

One of the benefits of living in the garden state is enjoying the healthy delicious Jersey fresh produce whether at home or for our students as school.

As we discuss with Doug fisher earlier New Jersey has a robust farm to school program that puts healthy meals in front of kids and teaching them about farming anding a cultural.

I sat down with Charly Brooks for bridgeton believe schools to learn morning.

>> You are farm to school coordinator here at bridgeton believe schools.

Tell me what that means.

>> I'm actually the first farm to school coordinator in the State of New Jersey in a school capacity.

For me, it just means connecting the dots with the students in the community and local farmers and teaching our students how to grow their own food, where it comes from, utilizing all the farms that we have and to bring those food products into our service line.

So, I'm super excited to have the opportunity.

>> This is a perfect example of what you are focused on trying to expand especially for a school district lake bridgeton.

>> During the pandemic that was a big eye opener how reliant our school system -- not just the school system but the community how reliant we are on the big manufacturers and splay chains to get our food products here and we the pandemic hit and everything went away we were kinds of grasping at straws of how to feed students and families.

For me, it was like a gray way for me to -- a great way to teach them to be sever sustainable, grow the food and where it comes from to pull more local food from around us so we are not so reliant.

We are surrounded by farms but there is a produce desert.

>> How?

>> You can't find a farm stand or produce market for a family or student to go to and that is just odd to me.

So they only have the electrical glowsry stores to buy produce.

>> Having these farms, having this relationship I should say with the farms is critical of not just to students but to the livelihood of farmers in the area.

We talked about how it is not just the food they put in their bellies but teaching them.

You are giving them an opportunity to learn about farming.

Tell me what you are doing to expand that growth outside of school.

>> If you teach them how to grow their food, where it comes from they will be more AFPLT to try new things, to try a bowl of salad they have never had or arugula pizza.

The support invested in what they are eating we they had a hand in growing it.

They can see from a seed to actual on your plate.

They are invested.

They are proud to go home to say mom I grew arugula in the greenhouse.

>> Last time I was here you were trying out a pilot program involving a salad bar.

How did that go?

And how are you expanding that when we look into next year?

>> The salad bar is in our elementary and it went over extremely well.

I was never expecting little students, little children, to be so excited about building and making their own salad.

We did lessons with thirds and fourth grade and taught them to the build the salads bar, different items they can put it to make it good may have combinations lake you might not like a Raddysh but a charity with it and it makes a new flavor profile so don't count things out.

That went over really well.

In addition to growing what we need for our Mobil produce cart that is also one of my goals, is to put what we are growing here in our greenhouse and elementary garden on our salad bars.

Looking forward to the new school year what can we expect, what new events, what are you implementing?

>> The last week of September is Jersey fresh farm to school welcome.

That week on our in our kitchens and menus we will feature being that, Jersey fresh produce.

And how we can transfer those items that come locally into good nutritious flavorful meals for our students.

>> Thank you so much.

It is a win, win.

>> Win, win.

>> Hopefully we will see it in other schools.

Thank you so much.

>> That is it for us this week.

Remember to subscribe to or NJ spotlight YouTube channel when we post new episodes and clips.

This is our final episodes of the season.

Thank you for joining us throughout the year.

We will see you in September.