Charles Kuperus, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture has announced he will resign his post (held since 2002) by the end of the year. Kuperus, 50, of Sussex borough, grew up on a dairy farm and founded his own garden center and nursery. He and his wife, Marge have six children.
“Secretary Kuperus has done an outstanding job at the Department of Agriculture, exemplified by the work he has done to help preserve farmland, and his focus on promoting economic development for farmers across New Jersey,” Sean D’Arcy, the governor’s spokesman said. “Secretary Kuperus has been an invaluable member of the Corzine administration and his efforts are greatly appreciated.”
Although his department narrowly survived elimination during last year’s budget negotiations, Kuperus’ standing with some in the farming community has been tenuous since the passage of the Highlands Preservation Act in 2004. In 2005, a faction of the State Board of Agriculture, which appoints the secretary with the governor’s approval, tried to force his resignation.
“Charlie has been taking the heat from many in the farm community who would rather be able to sell their land to developers, growing houses than crops,” Tittel said. “He has helped protect farming for the future.”
The secretary oversees the programs that affect the state’s 9,600 farms and a food and agriculture industry that contributes $64 billion annually to the state’s economy, according to the department’s website. Only six people have served in the job since 1938.