North Jersey RC&D AgAssist Cost-Share

North Jersey RC&D reimburses New Jersey farmers for supplies and expenses to install practices that protect water quality and soil health: cover crops, livestock exclusion fence, rotational grazing fence and supplies, roof run-off structures, vegetated treatment areas, composting systems, small manure storage, soil tests and windbreak/riparian buffer plantings. Farmers in targeted Delaware River sub-watersheds can apply for all practices; livestock farmers anywhere in the RC&D's seven-county service area can apply for livestock practices. A shorter cover-crop-only application (AgAssist: Fall Cover Crop) is part of the same program.

• All farmers within targeted Delaware River watersheds (portions of the Musconetcong, Lopatcong, Pequest, Pohatcong, Harihokake, Nishisakawick, Lockatong, Wickecheoke and Alexauken subwatersheds); these get priority.

• Livestock farmers within Hunterdon, Warren, Sussex, Mercer, Morris, Somerset and Union counties.

• Farms producing agricultural products worth $2,500 or more annually (case-by-case exceptions for strong water-quality or soil-health need).

• Some practices (soil tests, windbreak/riparian buffer, cover crop seed) are limited to the focus-area watersheds.

• Purchases made before signing an Agreement Letter are not reimbursed.

Reimbursement after project completion and RC&D verification visit; participant supplies receipts, maps and photos; check mailed within 30 days (or directly to a contractor if agreed). Ranking: water-quality impact, highly erodible land, farm preservation status, past funding, historically underserved status.

Published amounts: 75-95% reimbursement up to $15,000 per farm. Rotational grazing fence: up to 75% (HU 90%), max $15,000 ($5,000 for temporary fence). Exclusion fence: up to 90% (HU 95%), max $15,000. Roof run-off, small manure storage/composting, vegetated treatment areas: up to 75% (HU 90%), max $15,000. Soil tests: up to 80% (HU 95%), max $3,000. Windbreak/riparian buffer: up to 75% (HU 90%), max $5,000. Fall cover crop seed: $85-$105/ac (1-10 ac) or $50-$70/ac (up to 100 ac), HU rates $5/ac higher.

Apply online with the 'Cost-Share Application' button on the program page (Google Form). RC&D reviews applications, makes site visits, ranks them, and signs agreements with selected applicants. Cover-crop-only applicants can use the shorter form at https://www.northjerseyrcd.org/agassist-cover-crop.

Deadline text on the page: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and batch processed approximately twice per year or more.