North Jersey RC&D AgAssist Commitment (Conservation Equipment and Precision Nutrient Management)

An upfront per-acre payment toward up to 50% of the cost of conservation equipment, in exchange for a three-year commitment. The Conservation Equipment Commitment (no-till drill, broadcast box) requires three years of no-till cash crops and winter cover crops on enrolled fields; the Precision Nutrient Management Commitment (sprayer, planter and fertilizer-placement technology) requires three years of using the equipment to reduce nutrient or chemical inputs. Open to farms in targeted Delaware River sub-watersheds in New Jersey.

• Farms within targeted Delaware River watersheds (portions of the Musconetcong, Lopatcong, Pequest, Pohatcong, Harihokake, Nishisakawick, Lockatong, Wickecheoke and Alexauken subwatersheds).

• Farms producing agricultural products worth $2,500 or more annually (case-by-case exceptions).

• Equipment purchased before signing an Agreement Letter is not eligible.

3-year commitment; payment up to 50% of equipment cost and up to 200 enrolled acres. Ranking: water-quality impact, highly erodible land, past funding, historically underserved status.

Published amounts: Conservation Equipment Commitment: $195/acre up to 200 acres; Precision Nutrient Management Commitment: $105/acre up to 200 acres; capped at 50% of total equipment cost. Page examples: 200 ac x $195 = $39,000; 200 ac x $105 = $21,000.

Check the interactive map on the program page, then apply online with the 'Application' button (Google Form). Selected participants supply receipts and field maps over the commitment.

Deadline text on the page: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and batch processed approximately twice per year.