Background Memo  

The PublicMind poll was sponsored by the New Jersey Farm Bureau and was conducted by telephone from October 4 through October 9 using a randomly selected sample of 602 likely voters statewide aged 18 and over.  The sampling error for 602 adults is +/- 4 percentage points at the 95 percent level of confidence. Survey results are also subject to non-sampling error. This kind of error, which cannot be measured, arises from a number of factors including, but not limited to, non-response (eligible individuals refusing to be interviewed), question wording, the order in which questions are asked, and variations among interviewers. All PublicMind interviews are conducted by TMR, Inc. of Cedar Knolls, NJ.  Professionally trained interviewers use a CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) system. Random selection is achieved through computerized random-digit dialing. This technique gives every person with a phone number (including those with unlisted numbers) an equal chance of being selected.

The questions included in this release are as follows:

ED2. Local and state governments use the power of eminent domain to build various things. IN GENERAL, do you think it's acceptable or not acceptable for local governments to use eminent domain to force the sale of…?

[ROTATE]

• a) houses and shops to build a new school?
• b) dilapidated properties to rebuild with better housing and shops
• c) middle class housing and replace it with upscale condos and shops
• d) active farmland to build a new school or ball field
• Acceptable
• Not acceptable

FB1. By the way, to the best of your knowledge, why is New Jersey called the Garden State?

• Farming/produce/vegetables
• Gardening/flowers
• Other

FB2. This past summer, did you or someone in your household shop at any roadside stands or farmers markets here in New Jersey?

• Yes
• No

FB3. And in the past month, have you or someone in your household bought any Jersey Fresh or locally grown fruits and vegetables at your grocery store?

• Yes
• No
  

FB4. Now, let me ask about something called preserved farmland.  Sometimes, farmers will sell their right to develop their property to the local government. The local government pays the farmer a sum of money and the farmer agrees not to sell his land to builders and not to build on it himself. How much have you heard or read about this kind of preserved farmland?

• A great deal
• Some
• Just a little
• Nothing

FB5. On this kind of preserved farmland, the farmer may still need to build a barn, farm buildings or  greenhouses in order to run the farm and make a good living.  Do you think … or do you think …?

[ROTATE]

• the farmer of should be allowed to build these things
•  “preserved” means no more farm buildings at all

FB6.  The Highlands region is about 800,000 acres in northwest New Jersey and is the source of drinking water for about half of New Jerseyans.  Does the drinking water where you live come from the highlands or not?

• Yes
• No

FB7. Last year, the state decided to restrict development in the Highlands region in order to help protect drinking water supplies. How much have you heard or read about this legislation…?

• A great deal
• Some
• Just a little
• Nothing at all

FB9.  Some animal species in New Jersey are endangered or threatened and may be at some risk of dying out eventually.  Can you name any of those New Jersey land animals?

• Yes [Ask: for name = Indiana bat, eastern puma, bog turtle, piping plover, bald eagle ]
• No

FB10.  Some people say…. Others say…. Which comes closest to your view?

[ROTATE]

• if your property falls within or near the habitat area of an endangered species, then the way you use your land must be severely restricted
• the state should prove the animal is actually using your property before it imposes restrictions

see also:
Survey Analysis
Tabular Results