• WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Eligibility is based on fields to be cover cropped. Fields must fall within focus watershed areas and the grantee cannot be receiving payment for cover crop on those same fields through another program such as NRCS EQIP, CSP, etc.

  • Please reference the map below for eligible watersheds.

  • 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.

​

• HOW IT WORKS:

  1. North Jersey RC&D will review applications on a rolling basis until funding runs out. Eligible applicants must plan to cover crop within focus watershed area. See the map.

  2. An agreement is signed with selected grantees. The grantee agrees to plant cover crop seed by specific dates.

  3. Grantees will provide NJ RC&D with seed receipts. After cover crop is seeded, the grantee will provide locations and/or maps of the cover cropped fields. The fields will be verified by NJ RC&D staff. Pictures of the cover cropped fields may be needed from the producer for verification. 

  4. A check will be mailed after completion of the above steps for the cover cropped acres. 

​​

• HOW TO APPLY: Complete the online application at the bottom of this form. Applications will be accepted and processed on a rolling basis until funding runs out.

​

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

  • Impact to water quality;

  • Highly erodible land (HEL) determination;

  • Past funding received; and

  • Historically underserved status. 

  • If you do not initially rank high enough or funding has run out, we will hold on to your application should additional funding become available. 

                  

                                                                                                  

• HOW IS AGASSIST COVER CROP DIFFERENT FROM AGASSIST COST-SHARE?: AgAssist Cover Crop is part of the broader AgAssist Cost-Share Program. A separate webpage and application was created for AgAssist Cover Crop to make the application process easier for those interested in cover crop only. To learn more about the broader AgAsisst Cost-Share Program, please visit: https://www.northjerseyrcd.org/agassist-cost-share.

​

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