Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by North Jersey RC&D Area

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.

Samantha Loscalzo

Agricultural Specialist

General office

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.

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

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.

Apply online with the 'Application' button on the program page; questions to Sam at sloscalzo@northjerseyrcd.org or (908) 574-5368.

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

A pilot for small-scale growers: cost-share on no-till or low-till equipment (no-till drill, strip tiller, flail mower, roller crimper, silage tarp, broadfork, no-till planter or transplanter) plus a partial risk payment, in exchange for a three-year commitment to use the equipment on dedicated acreage, cover crop at least 1/4 acre each year and use no- or low-till practices. 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).
- No simultaneous payment from other programs (e.g., NRCS) for the same equipment or same cover-cropped fields.
- Equipment purchased before signing an Agreement Letter is not eligible.

3-year commitment; cover crop at least 1/4 acre each fall (multi-species by Sept. 15, single species by Dec. 1); yearly short report or attendance at one network event.

Published amounts: A 90% cost-share up to $5,000 on eligible equipment (98% for Historically Underserved producers), plus a partial risk payment of up to $1,000 for every 1/4 acre enrolled in no-till/low-till per year (max 1 ac).

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.

North Jersey RC&D reimburses New&#x2004;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.



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.

No application form: ask your NRCS planner to contact Sam Loscalzo (sloscalzo@northjerseyrcd.org), or reach out directly; RC&D works with the planner to confirm eligibility. Provide project location, stage in the NRCS process, planner name, contractor quotes and a timeline.

Deadline text on the page: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funding is no longer available.

An extra cost-share payment for livestock farmers who have an NRCS EQIP contract or application, layered on top of the EQIP payment so the farmer's total reaches 90% (95-98% for historically underserved producers). Covers livestock water-quality practices such as fencing for rotational grazing or stream exclusion, stream crossings, waste storage facilities, roof runoff structures, heavy use area protection and troughs; RC&D may also help fund a technical service provider for required plans or designs.



- Livestock farmers with an active NRCS contract or application with practices planned in Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union or Warren counties (Mercer also listed in the page summary).
- Farms in priority watershed areas get higher priority.

Cost-share rate is based on NRCS payment rates; total cap $20,000 per farm.

Published amounts: Farms are capped at $20,000 in reimbursement. Brings non-HU producers up to a 90% cost-share rate and HU producers up to 95 to 98% on eligible practices (on top of the NRCS EQIP payment).

List of North Jersey RC&D Area Funding Opportunities