Bill > S2936

This bill establishes the "New Farmers Improvement Grant Program" in the Department of Agriculture to provide matching grants of $15,000 to $50,000 (up to 50% of total project costs) to beginning farmers in New Jersey. The grants can be used for projects that expand or diversify agricultural production, implement sustainable farming techniques, or create/expand partnerships to improve product processing and distribution. To be eligible, farmers must be 18+, be beginning farmers (never farmed before, farmed for 10 years or less, or qualify as a first-time farmer under federal law), have a minimum of $10,000 in gross annual sales, and operate a farm of 150 acres or less wholly within the state. The Department of Agriculture is required to annually request a minimum of $100,000 to fund the grants and to pursue additional federal, state, local, and private funding.