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New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine has proposed closing the state Department of Agriculture as a cost-cutting measure, but farmers and local officials are raising protests, reports the Suburban. The move would make New Jersey only the third state not to have a department of agriculture. Supporters of keeping the department say closing it would save relatively little money, and would put matching federal funding for some programs in jeopardy. In addition, farmers cite the importance of the department in supporting the agricultural industry in the state. Local governments have passed resolutions in support of keeping the department, and the state farm bureau has scheduled a protest rally for April 1.