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Agriculture
The $82 billion food and agriculture complex is one of New Jersey’s largest industries, ranking after pharmaceuticals and tourism in the economic benefits it brings to the state.

In 2006, the state's 9,800 farms generated cash receipts totaling $923,933,000. The nursery/greenhouse/sod industry is the leading commodity group, followed by fruits and vegetables, equine, field crops, dairy and poultry and eggs.

Retaining productive, taxpaying farmland is critically important to all New Jersey residents since agriculture is the largest single source of the scenic vistas we all enjoy throughout the year. Productive farmland covers 790,000 acres.

Farmers in the Garden State produce more than 100 different kinds of fruits and vegetables for consumers to enjoy either fresh or processed here in New Jersey and elsewhere in the Northeast, in Canada and in many countries around the world.  Nationally, New Jersey is one of the top ten producers of cranberries, blueberries, peaches, bell peppers, cucumbers, snap beans, spinach, squash, tomatoes and lettuce.

In addition, growers also produced hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of specialty crops that added a unique flavor to the Garden State’s bounty. Vineyards, for example, are a growing segment of the industry, enabling the state’s mre than 25 vintners to develop a wide variety of award-winning New Jersey wines.

Fish and seafood are also a valuable commodity with tons of bluefish, tilefish, flounder, hake, shellfish and other species harvested annually. With its catch sold here at home and in foreign markets around the world, the commercial fishing industry adds another $146 million to the value of agriculture in New Jersey.
  • Aquaculture
    For information on starting an aquaculture business, securing an Aquatic Farmer License, using appropriate agricultural management practices to protect the environment, wild stocks and their growing business, regulatory issues and marketing visit  http://www.jerseyseafood.nj.gov/aquaculture.html
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  • Seafood Industry
    The Jersey Seafood Website http://www.jerseyseafood.nj.gov/industry.html offers assistance to seafood businesses, including: domestic marketing and promotion, export assistance, trade shows, trade leads, consumer education, business development and Hazard Analysis Critical Point (HACCP) Inspection Training. The latest grant-funded research completed by the Department of Agriculture is available at http://www.jerseyseafood.nj.gov/projects.htm.
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  • Seafood Retailers
    Point of sale materials are available for retailers to help point out New Jersey seafood and market it. Contact Linda O'Dierno at Linda.odierno@ag.state.nj.us for further information
    Phone: 609-984-6757
    Fax: 609-633-7229

    Joseph J. Myers
    Aquaculture Development Specialist
    Joseph.Myers@ag.state.nj.us
    Phone: 609-984-2502
    Fax: 609-633-7229
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  • Nursery and Landscape Industry
    The New Jersey Department of Agriculture operates the Jersey Grown program, a certification, marketing and branding program for plants, trees, shrubs, flowers and Christmas trees. For information on either seeking to become a certified Jersey Grown grower or a retailers looking to purchase Jersey Grown stock visit www.jerseygrown.nj.gov.

    Jersey Grown application and standards: http://www.jerseygrown.nj.gov/jerseygrown.html.

    The Division of Plant Industry provides export services in Plant Industry, including Phytosanitary Inspection and Certification for plants and plant products: Visit

    http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/serv/exports.html.

     

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  • Agricultural Businesses
    For agricultural businesses economic development services visit http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/md/prog/agriculturaleconomic.html.
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  • New Small Business Resources
    For technical and financial services, including soil and water conservation grants, farmers market assistance, Jersey Fresh Match Grant Program, Garden State Dairy Alliance, New Jersey agritourism assistance, New Jersey Junior Breeders Loan Fund, deer fencing assistance, livestock producer grants, disaster assistance, value-added tools, energy programs, training, animal health services, and farming opportunities visit http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/grants/
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  • Recycling
    For information on plastics recycling visit http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/md/prog/recycling.html.
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  • Food Safety
    The Department of Agriculture provides training and assistance to farmers who want to participate in a Third-Party Food Safety Audit, which verifies that produce has been harvested, packed and shipped in a safe and sanitary manner. Visit http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/news/hottopics/approved/topics070319.html#2.
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  • Agriculture and Green Energy
    For information to farmers and other agricultural businesses wishing to get involved in green energy visit

    http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/news/hottopics/approved/topics060222.html.

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  • Agricultural Education
    Agricultural education prepares leaders for careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture. Students engaged in agricultural education programs apply classroom knowledge in supervised agricultural experiences (structured learning experiences), where they use the skills they are learning on the job.  Students in agricultural education programs throughout New Jersey are looking for the opportunity for work experience in the industry.  You can find out more about agricultural education and the student organization, the New Jersey FFA Association, at http://www.jerseyageducation.nj.gov/.
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