LEARN ABOUT
Current Projects and Programs
LEARN ABOUT
Current Projects and Programs
AgAssist
Supporting Farmers Protecting Water Quality
Program Summary | Eligible Region | What We Fund | FAQ | Timeline | Apply
North Jersey RC&D has created opportunities for farmers in certain watersheds to receive funding for projects and practices that support cleaner water and healthier soils. The AgAssist Program offers a reimbursement toward equipment, cover crop seed, livestock fence, and other expenses required to implement a variety of soil health best management practices. This program is supported through grants from the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection, NJ Dept. of Agriculture, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
-
WHO IS NORTH JERSEY RC&D: We are a local non-profit dedicated to fostering agricultural sustainability within Northern New Jersey.
-
WHAT IS FUNDED: The following AgAssist funding opportunities are listed below. See the 'What We Fund' section for more information. Farms may apply for more than one opportunity but are capped at $15,000 in total funding. Currently, only the Cover Crop Seed Expenses and the Conservation Equipment Commitment are the only opportunities open. The other opportunities will become available in September 2022.
-
Software Subscriptions (Software subscriptions for precision agriculture, etc.)
-
Nutrient Management
-
Soil Sampling
-
Permanent Fence for Livestock Exclusion from Waterways
-
Supplies Essential to Rotational Grazing
-
Cover Crop Seed Expenses (up to 150 acres) *Application closes Nov. 15th, 2022*
-
Conservation Equipment Commitment (up to 150 acres) *Application now open*
-
HOW IT WORKS: North Jersey RC&D will provide a partial reimbursement (levels of reimbursement will be determined by practice), contingent upon participants supplying appropriate receipts.
-
WHO IS ELIGIBLE: All farm types are eligible; small to large and conventional to organic. Specific program opportunities are dependent on grants tied to specific watersheds. Your farm location(s) will determine eligibility for those opportunities. See 'Eligible Region' for more information.
-
HOW TO APPLY:
-
Use the interactive map below to locate the watershed your farm property falls in.
-
The watershed and county will determine what AgAssist programs you are eligible for.
-
Apply for eligible programs you are interested in.
-
Don't fall within an eligible region for a program you are interested in? Fill out an application anyway and let us know! We will try to secure future grant funding for your area.
-
Applications will be selected on a rolling basis.
Area Eligible for Funding
-
Watershed areas eligible for AgAssist funding in 2022 are highlighted in colors on the map below. See if your farm property falls within an eligible watershed area. You can use the 'Find address or place' search tool to locate your farm property on the map.
-
Once you determine what watershed your farm property falls within, you can use the table below to determine what programs you are eligible for.
Funding Opportunities
The North Jersey RC&D AgAssist funding program has a wide variety of opportunities, each with its own funding conditions. Applicants may apply for multiple opportunities but farms are capped at a total of $15,000 for all opportunities (excluding the Conservation Equipment Commitment which has a cap of $21,500). Opportunities are tied to specific watersheds and counties. Use the map above to determine if you fall within an eligible watershed.
Software Subscriptions Supporting Sustainable Agriculture
Applications not yet open.
Reimbursement Rate: Up to 75% of total costs;
Reimbursement Not to Exceed: $3,000;
Participants must supply receipts to be eligible for reimbursement.
Eligible expenses include:
-
One-year subscriptions to software that supports sustainable agriculture and/or improved nutrient management. Examples include Adapt-N, Granular Agronomy, and PastureMap.
Eligible watersheds and counties:
-
Delaware Watershed
Nutrient Management and Soil Testing
Applications not yet open.
Reimbursement Rate: Up to 75% of total costs;
Reimbursement Not to Exceed: $3,000;
Participants must supply receipts to be eligible for reimbursement.
Eligible expenses include:
-
Precision Nutrient Sampling of fields with a commitment to use data to inform a precision nutrient application program.
-
Nutrient analysis of soils (standard or comprehensive soil health) on a per-field/region basis with a commitment to follow nutrient recommendations.
Eligible watersheds and counties:
-
Delaware Watershed
-
Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren Counties
Permanent Fence for Livestock Exclusion from Waterways
Applications not yet open.
Reimbursement Rate: Up to 90% of total costs
Total Reimbursement Not to Exceed: $15,000;
Participants must supply receipts and have an Animal Waste Management (AWM) Plan to be eligible for reimbursement.*
Eligible expenses include:
Farms that do not have permanent fences excluding livestock from waterways (or whose fence is deteriorating) will be eligible for funding to install new fences. Fences shall be installed 35’ or greater from the stream center. Eligible expenses include contractor fees, fence supplies.
* Assistance can be provided to obtain an AWM plan. The process is relatively easy.
Eligible watersheds and counties:
-
Delaware, Lower Middle Musconetcong, Lopatcong Watersheds
-
Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren Counties
Supplies Essential to Rotational Grazing / Management Intensive Grazing
Applications not yet open.
Reimbursement Rate: 75% of total costs
Total Reimbursement Not to Exceed: $15,000;
Participants must supply receipts to be eligible for reimbursement and have an Animal Waste Management (AWM) Plan to be eligible for reimbursement.*
Eligible expenses include:
-
Permanent or temporary fence supplies supporting improved rotational grazing. (Eligible farms must have more than 1.5 animal units per acre and an animal waste management plan in place with RU extension or NJDA, or put a plan in place before reimbursement).
-
Energizers complementing permanent or temporary fence installations within a rotational grazing model.
-
Waterers (Permanent or Temporary) to support rotational grazing.
* Assistance can be provided to obtain an AWM plan. The process is relatively easy.
Eligible watersheds and counties:
-
Lower Middle Musconetcong, Lopatcong Watersheds
-
Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren Counties
Cover Crop Seed Expenses (up to 100 acres)
Application OPEN.
Reimbursement Rate: Based on the number of acres planted and type of cover crop.
Total Reimbursement Not to Exceed 150 acres
-
Participants must supply appropriate receipts, seed tags, and photo verification where applicable to be eligible for reimbursement.
-
Participants must source and purchase the seed and are responsible for all cover crop seed and application costs.
-
Cover crop can be terminated through any method after May 1st.
Eligible expenses include:
-
Single species cover crops for producers wishing to plant cereal rye, triticale, or wheat. The seed must be planted by November 15th for a winter cover crop. Consult North Jersey RC&D for other species’ planting dates ($35/acre, up to 150 acres).
-
Multi-species cover crop; seeding mix must be planted by October 1st for a winter cover crop and must include a minimum of three species from at least two plant groups (ie, two small grains and a legume). Consult with NJ RC&D staff when deciding on multi-species seed selection ($45/acre, up to 150 acres).
-
Organic Cover Crop Seed; for producers wishing to plant cereal rye, triticale, or wheat, the seed must be planted by November 15th for a winter cover crop. Consult North Jersey RC&D for other species’ planting dates ($50/acre, up to 150 acres).
*Note: Producers are encouraged to use certified seed. In the event the producer wishes to use “bin run” or other sources of seed, a field verification by North Jersey RC&D will be done. If germination is inadequate, the producer will be required to replant (if time allows) or plant an additional year of cover crop at the producer’s own expense and on the same acres following the contract time period.
Eligible watersheds and counties:
-
Delaware, Lower Middle Musconetcong, Lopatcong Watersheds
-
Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union Counties
Equipment Essential to Conservation Practices Implementation
Application OPEN.
Reimbursement Rate: up to 50% of eligible expenses paid as an upfront, $141 per/acre payment on committed acres
Total Reimbursement Not to Exceed 150 acres = $21,150
Participants must supply receipts to be eligible for reimbursement
Eligible expenses include:
-
Roller-crimpers (Contingent upon having multiple years of experience with cover crops)
-
Small no-till planters (1-2 row units designed for small vegetable operations that commit to implementing reduced tillage practices and cover crop)
-
No-till drills and upgrades that support improved cover crop establishment. Farmers must have multiple years of experience with cover crops and commit to increasing cover crop application.
-
No-till planter and upgrades that support improved no-till implementation with a commitment to increase no-till implementation.
-
No-till planter upgrades that support a precision nutrient application or subsoil nutrient application (2x2) with a commitment to reduce overapplication of nutrients or broadcasting of nutrients.
-
Automatic shut-offs for sprayers to prevent overspray.
Eligible watersheds and counties:
-
Delaware Watershed
-
Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren Counties
Frequently Asked Questions
Funding Timeline
August 2022
Applications open for Cover Crop and Conservation Equipment Commitment opportunities.
September 2022
Applications open for all other AgAssist opportunities.
Now - November
Decisions made on a rolling basis for Cover Crop and Conservation Equipment Commitment, applicants notified of their status via email or phone.
Now - November
Grantees purchase cover crop seed and plant by the set dates (multi-species by Oct. 1; single species by Nov. 15 for a winter cover crop).
December 31, 2022
Applicable receipts, field map, photo and field verification must be submitted. Once the producer submits the appropriate receipts, they will be issued payment within 30 days of submission.
May 1, 2023
The grantees who plant cover crop as part of their agreement may terminate the cover crop with their method of choice starting May 1.
Complete a short application online to apply, using the 'Application' button above.
If you have questions or need help completing the application, please contact Sam at sloscalzo@northjerseyrcd.org or North Jersey RC&D staff at (908) 574-5368
-Thank-you
Our Partners
AgAssist is made possible through grant contributions from New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; New Jersey Department of Agriculture; and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
.png)
