NEW JERSEY – The Senate passed legislation today sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner and Angela V. McKnight that would amend and supplement the “Right to Farm Act” to allow housing for resident employees on a commercial farm and establish such housing as eligible for Right to Farm protections.
A “resident farm employee” is defined as a person who is employed by the owner or operator of a commercial farm to engage in agricultural production activities on a full-time basis. This definition does not include the owner of the farm or any lineal descendants of the owner.
Under bill S-3353, the State Agricultural Development Committee (SADC) would be directed to adopt an agricultural management practice for the housing of resident farm employees. The practice (1) aims to ensure that the amount of labor needed on the farm correlates to the amount of housing available to employees and (2) guarantees that all housing constructed, installed, or provided pursuant to the bill would be required to comply with State housing codes.
“Currently, many municipal zoning codes prevent farmers from establishing residences for employees on their land. This housing is often essential for farms, so that crops or livestock can be monitored and protected against deer damage and predators 24 hours a day,” said Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). “We must do all we can to keep the ‘Garden’ in the ‘Garden State,’ and providing reasonable accommodations for employees on farms will help support the farmers who sustain us.”
Housing for resident farm employees currently faces several challenges. For one, many municipal zoning codes prohibit mobile homes or the construction of new residences on farms. There are also extensive issues regarding current farm housing, with employees often reporting significant safety issues and failure to meet federal or State housing standards.
“Without enforceable legislation regarding availability and quality of housing for resident farm employees, our workers may suffer under poor conditions,” said McKnight (D-Hudson). “This bill will help ensure that housing is not only available for these workers but also safe and up to code.”
Bill S-3353 passed the Senate in a 34-2 vote.
