New Jersey Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Joe Atchison III announced that applications are now open for cost-share grants to install wildlife fencing on both preserved and unpreserved farms. This initiative is an updated version of the deer fencing program introduced in spring 2023.
Farm owners, operators, or tenants in New Jersey can receive up to 50 percent matching funds, with a maximum of $50,000 if their application is approved. Grants for unpreserved farms will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out.
“The expanded version of this program makes more funds available to those who may need fencing to protect valuable crops that are susceptible to damage from deer, bears, and other wildlife,” Assistant Secretary Atchison said. “We encourage farmers to take advantage of this opportunity by applying for this grant.”
The program is supported by legislation (P.L. 2023, c. 233) signed into law on January 8, 2024. This law enhances the NJDA and State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) wildlife fencing programs.
Applicants for unpreserved property who lease or operate but do not own the farmland must obtain authorization from the landowner. They must review a copy of the Standard Agreement before applying and need a NJSTART vendor ID. Application forms and information can be found at https://bit.ly/3SZvaJJ.
Farms enrolled in a ‘permanent farmland preservation program’, as defined in SADC policy P-53, qualify for the SADC program. The law clarifies that all other farms may apply through the NJDA program.
