Supporting Farmers Protecting Water Quality
AgAssist
Program Summary | Eligible Region | What We Fund | FAQ | Timeline | Apply
*Please note that this opportunity has passed. You can check out the 'Our Projects' tab at the top of the page to see what programs are currently being offered. Be sure to sign up for our mailing list on the home page to stay up to date on new opportunities!*
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North Jersey RC&D, with the support of a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Water Quality Restoration Grant, 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 (50-90% depending on practice) toward equipment, supplies, and expenses required to implement a variety of soil health best management practices.
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WHO IS NORTH JERSEY RC&D: We are a local non-profit dedicated to fostering agricultural sustainability within Northern New Jersey.
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WHAT IS FUNDED: There are opportunities to receive up to $15,000 for everything from software upgrades that support improved nutrient management, temporary and permanent fence, planter and drill upgrades, and even precision soil sampling services. See below for more information.
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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.
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WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Farmers within certain watersheds (Neshanic River, Back Brook, Holland Brook and Pleasant Run), regardless of the size or type of their agricultural operation, are eligible for funding.
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HOW TO APPLY: Complete the online application at the bottom of this form. Submit your application by April 15th, 2021.
Area Eligible for Funding
Areas eligible for funding in 2021 are highlighted in orange on the map below. Seach for your address using the search bar to determine if your farm is within our focus area.
Funding Opportunities
The North Jersey RC&D AgAssist funding program has a wide variety of opportunities, each with its own separate funding conditions. Applicants can only apply for one opportunity at a time but may submit multiple applications.
Education Supporting Sustainable Agriculture
Reimbursement Not to Exceed $3,000;
Participants must supply receipts to be eligible for reimbursement
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Eligible expenses include:
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Scholarships to attend conferences and/or training supporting sustainable agriculture. North Jersey RC&D will offer funding to reimburse registration fees and travel costs.
Up to 75% of Total Costs
Software Subscriptions Supporting Sustainable Agriculture
Reimbursement Not to Exceed $3,000;
Participants must supply receipts to be eligible for reimbursement
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Eligible expenses include:​
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One-year subscriptions to software that supports sustainable agriculture and/or improved nutrient management. Examples include Adapt-N, Granular Agronomy, and PastureMap.
Up to 75% of Total Cost
Nutrient Management and Soil Testing
Reimbursement Rate: 75% of total costs
Total Reimbursement Not to Exceed $3,000;
Participants must supply receipts to be eligible for reimbursement
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Eligible expenses include:​
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Precision Nutrient Sampling of fields with a commitment to use data to inform a precision nutrient application program.
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Nutrient analysis of soils (standard or comprehensive soil health) on a per-field/region basis with a commitment to follow nutrient recommendations.
Permanent Fence for Livestock Exclusion from Waterways
Reimbursement Rate: 90% of total costs
Total Reimbursement Not to Exceed $15,000;
Participants must supply receipts to be eligible for reimbursement
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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 contactors fees, fence supplies.
Supplies Essential to Rotational Grazing / Management Intensive Grazing
Reimbursement Rate: 75% of total costs
Total Reimbursement Not to Exceed $15,000;
Participants must supply receipts to be eligible for reimbursement
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Eligible expenses include:​
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Permanent or temporary fence supporting improved rotational grazing. (Eligible farms must have less than 1.5 Animal Units per Acre, an animal waste management plan, and winter housing and/or sacrifice lot)
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Energizers complementing permanent or temporary fence installations within a rotational grazing model
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Waterers (Permanent or Temporary) to support rotational grazing
Cover Crop Seed Expenses (up to 100 acres)
Reimbursement Rate: Based on the number of acres planted and type of cover crop.
Total Reimbursement Not to Exceed 100 acres
Participants must supply receipts to be eligible for reimbursement
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Eligible expenses include:​
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Single species cover crops; for producers wishing to plant cereal rye, seed must be planted by October 31st. Consult North Jersey RC&D for other species’ planting dates ($35/acre, up to 100 acres).
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Multi-species cover crop; seeding mix must be planted by September 15th and must include a minimum of three species from at least two plant groups (ie, two small grains and a legume) ($45/acre, up to 100 acres)
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Organic Cover Crop Seed; for producers wishing to plant cereal rye, seed must be planted by October 31st. Consult North Jersey RC&D for other species’ planting dates ($50/acre, up to 100 acres).
Equipment Essential to Conservation Practices Implementation
Reimbursement Rate: 50% of total costs
Total Reimbursement Not to Exceed $15,000
Participants must supply receipts to be eligible for reimbursement
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Eligible expenses include:​
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Roller-Crimpers (Contingent upon having multiple years of experience with cover crops)
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Small No-till Planters (1-2 row units designed for small vegetable operations that commit to implementing reduced tillage practices and cover crop)
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No-till Drills Upgrades that support improved cover crop establishment. Farmers must have multiple years of experience with cover crops and commit to increasing cover crop application.
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No-till Planter Upgrades that support improved no-till implementation with a commitment to increase no-till implementation.
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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.
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Automatic Shut-offs for Sprayers to prevent overspray
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does it cost?Farmers within the focus regions can loan equipment for up to two years at no cost. Farmers outside the focus regions can apply to rent one complete grazing system (energizers, reels, posts, fault finder, etc) from the program for $50.00 per year. We are asking all farmers to submit an annual $50.00 deposit for use of the equipment. Upon return of the equipment, your deposit will be refunded.
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Can I exchange equipment that doesn't work for my operation?Yes! We encourage producers to try out a variety of equipment. If you decide something doesn't work for your farm, schedule an appointment without agricultural specialists to exchange the equipment for something different, as long as it is available.
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What happens if the equipment breaks?We understand temporary fence equipment will receive some normal wear and tear. As long as most of the equipment is in good working condition, farmers will not be charged for one or two broken items.
Funding Timeline
April 15, 2021
Applications due.
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May 15, 2021
Decisions made and applicants notified of their status via email.
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May - October
Awardees purchase eligible equipment or supplies.
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Oct. 15, 2021
Any purchases for the grant must be made and submitted for reimbursement by Oct. 15, 2021. Official receipts must be submitted to North Jersey RC&D by this date. Reimbursements will be made 30 days following submission.
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2021-2022
Grantees submit a short (1/2 page) summary discussing the impact of the funding on their operation and any lessons learned. This information may be shared with other farmers. Alternatively, farmers may host a field day or write a short blog post.
Complete a short 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 (908) 574-5368
-Thank-you