Governor Christie Signs Legislation to Make $90.6 Million available for Farmland Preservation and to promote "Jersey Fresh" products sold at State Government Facilities

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

 

Governor Christie today signed farmland preservation legislation, S-2894 and S-2897 making $90.6M in grants  available for farmland preservation, and A-2342 to further enhance the visibility and access of “Jersey Fresh” produce and “Made with Jersey Fresh” food products.

 

The farmland preservation legislation will provide $39M in grants to 16 participating counties to help preserve farmland under the County Planning Incentive Grant Program. Each county will be eligible for a $1.5M base grant. A county that spends down its base grant is eligible to compete for additional monies from a $15M competitive grant fund while available. $4.5M is the maximum potential grant available to any county under this program.

 

$23M in grants to preserve farmland under the Municipal Planning Incentive Grant program will be provided to 43 participating municipalities. The 37 towns that had previously qualified for funding will be eligible for $500,000 each, while the 6 towns participating in the program for the first time will be eligible for $750,000 each.

 

$19.7M for the State Agricultural Development Committee ( SADC) for the direct preservation of farmland and 8 nonprofit organizations will receive $8.831M in grants for farmland preservation under the Nonprofit Program.

 

Also signed was A-2341 requiring food concession stands in state government facilities to display “Jersey Fresh” and “Made with Jersey Fresh” products in prominent locations and in prominent view of its patrons.