TRENTON- Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno will speak before New Jersey’s agriculture leaders, industry representatives, agricultural youth ambassadors and guests when they meet for the annual State Agricultural Convention at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Hotel in Atlantic City this week.  The Lt. Governor will deliver comments at the Delegates Dinner on Wednesday, February 5.
 
The largest annual gathering of the state’s agricultural industry, taking place Wednesday and Thursday, February 5 and 6, includes representatives of county agriculture boards, granges, breed and commodity organizations, and other members of the agriculture community.
The State Agricultural Convention will feature interactive, listening sessions, on some of the most critical issues facing the farming community:  crisis management, GMO, microenterprise and locally grown.   These open public forums will give those in the agriculture industry the opportunity to share their experiences on the ground, make suggestions, and gain valuable new information.
In addition, the delegates will discuss issues affecting the industry, help set agricultural policy for the coming year and determine the new members of the State Board of Agriculture.
The convention runs concurrently with the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey convention and trade show.  Both groups will conduct separate programs, with the VGA’s events kicking off on Tuesday, February 4.
Wednesday, February 5 highlights of the convention, being held at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Hotel, 1000 Boardwalk at Virginia Ave., Atlantic City, NJ, include:
  • 9:30 a.m. – State of the State of Agriculture Address, Secretary Douglas H. Fisher in the Tiara Ballroom
  • 10:15 a.m. – Crisis Management Listening Session with Ray Gilmer, Vice President, Issues Management and Communication, United Fresh Produce Association.
  • 2:30 p.m. – GMO Panel Discussion
  • 7 p.m. – Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno speaks at Delegates Dinner in the Grand Ballroom
Thursday, February 6 highlights of the convention include:
  • 10 a.m. – Microenterprise Listening Session
  • 1:30 p.m.- Remarks by Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney
  •  2 p.m. – Locally Grown Listening Session
 
A complete agenda for the convention is available on the Department’s website at: .