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North Jersey RC&D

AgAssist Cost-Share

Supporting Farmers
Protecting Water Quality

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Through grant funding, North Jersey RC&D has created opportunities for NJ farmers in certain counties and watersheds to receive funding for projects and practices that support clean water and healthy soils. The AgAssist Cost-Share Program offers 75-95% reimbursement (dependent on practice and applicant historically underserved status) up to $15,000. Reimbursement can be applied towards supplies and expenses required to implement a variety of best management practices. Farm location will determine opportunities available. 

 

  • WHO IS NORTH JERSEY RC&D:  We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to working through partnerships and with farmers towards agricultural sustainability and water resource protection.
     

  • WHAT IS FUNDED: Opportunities for funding up to $15,000 are available towards livestock exclusion fence, rotational grazing fencing and supplies, roof run-off structures, vegetated treatment areas, composting systems, and/or small manure storage. See below for more information on opportunities. NEW: The Fall 2024 cover crop opportunity has it's own application form and eligible area (learn more about the 2024 cover crop here: www.northjerseyrcd.org/agassist-cover-crop).   

     

  • HOW IT WORKS: North Jersey RC&D will review applications, sign agreements with selected applicants, and provide a partial reimbursement (% determined by practice and HU status) contingent upon participants supplying appropriate receipts and any other requirements as specified in the cost-share agreement.
     

  • WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Eligibility and opportunities are based on farm location. 

    • ​​Livestock Farmers within the counties of the North Jersey RC&D Service Area (Hunterdon, Warren, Sussex, Mercer, Morris, Somerset, and Union); and  

    • All farmers within certain Delaware River watersheds (portions of Musconetcong, Lopatcong, Pequest, Pohatcong, Harihokake, Nishisakawick, Lockatong, Wickecheoke, and Alexauken subwatersheds). Please reference map below.

    • Farms producing agricultural products worth $2,500 or more annually.

      • A case-by-case determination can be made for farms that do not meet the $2,500 requirement but demonstrate a strong need for assistance to remedy a water quality or soil health issue.

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  • HOW TO APPLY: Complete the online application at the bottom of this form. Applications can be accepted at anytime but will not be processed until January 2025. 

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  • HOW WILL APPLICATIONS BE RANKED? Applications will receive ranking based on:

    • Impact to water quality and resource concern;

    • Highly erodible land (HEL) determination;

    • Past funding received; and

    • Historically underserved status.                                                                                                                         

 

 *Please note that should you be approved for funding, any equipment, labor, or materials purchased BEFORE signing an Agreement Letter for AgAssist Cost-Share is not eligible for reimbursement.       

     

  • HOW IS THIS FUNDED?: The AgAssist Cost-Share Program is made possible through grants awarded to North Jersey RC&D.  Current grant funding is made available from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Delaware River Restoration Fund. 

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Areas Eligible for Funding

Areas eligible for funding are highlighted on the map below.  Eligibility for opportunities is based on farm location. Search for your address using the search bar to determine if your farm is within the focus areas.

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Pink/Light Red areas =Watershed focus areas (All farmers eligible)

Red outlined counties = RC&D Service Area, Hunterdon, Warren, Sussex, Mercer, Morris, Somerset, and Union (Livestock farmers eligible)

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Funding Opportunities

The North Jersey RC&D AgAssist Cost-Share program has a wide variety of opportunities, each with its own separate funding conditions. Applicants may apply to multiple opportunities but are capped at $15,000 per farm.

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Reimbursement rates are dependent on the practice and historically underserved (HU) status. If you are unsure if you qualify for HU status, please visit https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/underserved-farmers-ranchers to learn more.

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Reimbursement is contingent on field verification and participants supplying appropriate receipts. Participants must be willing to work with North Jersey RC&D staff to create field maps, provide photos of practice implementation, and submit a brief summary of lessons learned from implementing the practice.

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Exclusion Fence

to exclude livestock from waterways.

Reimbursement Rate: Up to 90% of total costs (HU Rate: 95%)

Reimbursement Not to Exceed: $15,000

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Permanent exclusion fence that is directly adjacent to a waterway and excludes livestock from the waterway. Intended for existing paddocks that do not already exclude waterways or whose fence is deteriorating.

 

Fences shall be installed 35’ or greater from the stream bank. Exceptions may apply for existing exclusion fence that needs replacing. 

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Eligible expenses may include:​

  • Contractor fees towards Installation

  • Fencing materials, Braces, Gates, and Latches.

  • Water troughs.

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Rotational Grazing Fence & Essential Supplies

to increase rest periods and improve pasture and soil health.

Reimbursement Rate: Up to 75% of total costs (HU Rate 90%)

Reimbursement Not to Exceed: $15,000 ($5,000 for temporary fence and supplies).


Participants must agree to rotate animals based on a grazing plan and have, or be working on an Animal Waste Management Plan. Plans can be written by the Owner/Operator or with assistance from a Technical Service Provider or appropriate agent. Please reach out if you would like more information! This opportunity is intended for existing animals, not for expansion.

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Eligible expenses include:​

  • Permanent interior fencing for existing paddocks to improve rotational grazing.

  • Temporary fence supporting improved rotational grazing. 

  • Energizers, reels, fence posts, clips, etc. that are necessary for temporary fence installations within a rotational grazing model.

  • Water troughs.

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Roof Run-off Structures
that divert water away from animal waste concentration areas to improve water quality.

Reimbursement Rate: Up to 75% of total costs (HU Rate 90%)

Reimbursement Not to Exceed: $15,000

 

Participants must have design and maintenance plan approved prior to installation. 

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Eligible expenses include:​​

  • Gutters, downspouts, and outlets.

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Vegetated Treatment Areas (VTAs)
to improve water quality by reducing loading of nutrients, pathogens, and other contaminants associated with manure and other wastes.

Reimbursement Rate: Up to 75% of total costs (HU Rate 90%) 

Reimbursement Not to Exceed: $15,000

 

Participants must have design and maintenance plan approved prior to installation. 

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Eligible expenses include:​​

  • Construction, vegetative establishments, and outlets.

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Composting System or Small Manure Storage
to store manure or organic material, reduce water pollution potential, and allow the material to decompose into a final product to be spread at optimal times as a soil amendment.

Reimbursement Rate: Up to 75% of total costs (HU Rate 90%)

Reimbursement Not to Exceed: $15,000


Participants must have design and maintenance plan approved prior to installation. 

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Eligible expenses include:​​​

  • Materials, construction and site preparation

  • Push walls, bins

  • Supplies for an Aerated Static Pile (ASP) composting system

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Soil Tests

Reimbursement Rate: Up to 80% of total costs (HU Rate 95%)

Reimbursement Not to Exceed: $3,000 for the project

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Limited to participants within the Focus Area Watersheds.

Participants must submit receipts and soil results.  Participants are responsible for collecting and mailing their samples. 

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Eligible expenses include:​​

  • Soil tests without a biological assessment are eligible for a 75% cost-share (90% for HU).

  • Soil tests that emphasize biological assessments and properties are eligible for an 80% cost-share (95% HU). Look for labs that run Haney Tests, Solvita, or CASH for biological assessments.

  • Soil sample shipping costs.

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Windbreak/Riparian Buffer Establishment & Renovations

Reimbursement Rate: Up to 75% of total costs (HU Rate 90%)

Reimbursement Not to Exceed: $5,000

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Limited to participants within the Focus Area Watersheds.

Participants must have planting and maintenance plan approved prior to installation. The participant is responsible for planting and maintenance of the windbreak/riparian buffer.

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Eligible expenses include:​​

  • Vegetation and tree protection for riparian buffers or windbreaks.

  • Does NOT include assistance for invasive species removal or the removal of dead trees.

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Cover Crop Seed Expenses (up to 100 acres)

This program has been expanded for the 2024 Fall Cover Crop season only. There is a wider eligible region and increased cover crop rates. Learn more and apply for 2024 Fall Cover Crop here: www.northjerseyrcd.org/agassist-cover-crop

*Please note that the AgAssist Commitment Programs, Conservation Equipment Commitment and AgAssist Precision Ag Equipment Commitment, programs are completely separate from this AgAssist Cost-Share funding opportunity. 

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Oppertunitites

Funding Timeline (Subject to changes)

Application review during early winter 2024/2025:
Applications reviewed and site visits scheduled.

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Mid/late winter: The first round of applications will be ranked and decisions will be made for funding. Applicants will be notified of their status via email. Agreements will be signed with grantees. Thereafter, applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis and ranked for funding quarterly as long as funding remains.

Applications of high priority may be awarded funding earlier.

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After the agreement letter is signed (TBD):
Applicants who receive a grant award can begin implementing their AgAssist practice after an agreement letter is signed. Implementation may include design, securing a contractor, purchasing eligible supplies, collecting and mailing soil samples, etc.

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Reimbursement:
North Jersey RC&D will reimburse the grantee within 30 days of proper receipts being submitted and after the AgAssist practice has been inspected and approved by NJ RC&D staff, unless other payment arrangements have been made. 

 

After the completion of the practice:
Grantees are to submit:

  • photos documenting the practice implemented through AgAssist,

  • field maps documenting the fields benefiting from the practice. The grantee will work with NJ RC&D staff to create the maps.

Timeline
Apply
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Complete an application online to apply using the link above. 

 

If you have questions or need help completing the application, please contact Sam Loscalzo at sloscalzo@northjerseyrcd.org or call North Jersey RC&D staff at (908) 574-5368

-Thank-you

Partners

Our Partners

AgAssist is made possible through grant funding from New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; New Jersey Department of Agriculture; and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

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