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Grant Program Overview
The Sustainable Agriculture grant program is designed to advance innovative sustainable agriculture practices in the Highlands region. The grant program seeks proposals for projects that will assist agriculture operations in the Highlands Region including value-added facilities, technical assistance, new farmer programs, sustainable land management, and other sustainable agriculture activity. Projects should elevate agricultural practices, be innovative in nature, replicable, and aligned with the goals, policies, and objectives of the Highlands RMP.
This program was developed based on input from agricultural professionals who sit on the Highlands Council Agricultural Advisory Committee and are helping ensure the efforts of the Highlands Council are supporting the needs of this important industry.
When the program launched in 2023, five projects were approved for the first of potentially three years of funding and a sixth was approved for one year. As of October 2026, the Highlands Council has provided more than $800,000 in grant reimbursements through this program. Information about grantees and their projects is provided below.
Bringing Regenerative Practices within Reach
City Green is a nonprofit farming and gardening organization that offers practical, technical and financial resources to foster equitable access to local food and green spaces, in support of sustainable, healthy communities. The organization has leveraged Highlands Council funding to significantly expanded regenerative practices at its farming operation on South Branch Preserve in Mount Olive Township. As a result, the farm experienced record-breaking harvests, enabling distribution of fresh produce through 10 mobile veggie stands, senior center farm stands, and other community locations that allow customers to use federal food benefits like SNAP and WIC to purchase fresh produce.
Initial award: $90,000. Renewed three times. Total reimbursements to-date: $251,988
Using Regenerative Agriculture to Grow the Local Grain Economy in the NJ Highlands, various locations
The Foodshed Alliance works to strengthen sustainable farming, increase access to local, healthy food, and protect the environment for all members of our communities. Using grant funding from the Highlands Council, Foodshed Alliance launched the Local Grains project designed to revitalize local agriculture in New Jersey Highlands region by promoting value-added grain production using regenerative farming techniques. The organization developed a wealth of material, hosted numerous networking and learning events for local farmers, and has recruited several area farmers into the program.
Initial award: $92,840. Renewed three times. Total reimbursements to-date: $222,720.
Operation Diversification: Adaptive Farm Stewardship Modeling, Tewksbury Township, Hunterdon County
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA NJ) supports and advocates for organic farming and local food systems, by providing technical support, educational programming, and policy advocacy. With funding from the Highlands Council, NOFA NJ continued to partner with Highlands region farmers to conduct demonstrations of rotational grazing, increasing pasture diversity, and agroforestry via on-farm presentations, farmer-to-farmer training and networking events, and the development of technical and educational resources. The project aims to teach risk-averse farmers how to restore their land in a profitable and ecologically sustainable way.
Initial award: $93,245. Renewed three times. Total reimbursements to-date: $224,367.
Building Resiliency and Supporting Sustainable Agriculture in the NJ Highlands through the River Friendly Farm Certification Program, Various Locations
The River Friendly Farm (RFF) Certification program promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices by evaluating farms based on soil health, nutrient management, pest management, farmstead management, waterway protection, and water conservation. North Jersey RC&D proposes to expand the program to 24 Highlands farms over three years while increasing understanding and recognition of the RFF Certification program. In addition, the organization will participate in outreach events, create marketing materials, advertise, provide technical and financial assistance to Highlands farms, and increase awareness among farmers and consumers about sustainable agriculture practices.
Initial award: $90,000. Reimbursements to-date: $90,000. Grant closed.
Transitioning Conventionally Farmed Land to Organic Management Practices in NJ Wildlife Management Areas (Supporting the Whittingham Pilot), Green Township, Sussex County
Located on 40 acres of NJDEP land in the Whittingham Wildlife Management Area, the Ramapough Culture and Land Foundation proposes to grow a consistent food supply of indigenous crops to support the Turtle Clan Food Sovereignty. The project will involve coordination with NJDEP to develop organic farming practices in accordance with policies for leased land in a Wildlife Management Area.
Initial award: $83,930. Total reimbursements to-date: $43,000.
Implementation Plan - Northwest Jersey Food Processing and Innovation Center
An award of $150,000 to Oxford Township will support planning efforts for the development of the Northwest Food Processing and Innovation Center, which is envisioned as a regional hub for food processing and an incubator for creative agricultural business development. Funding was primarily also used to support a grant application to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for implementation funding. Although the USDA application was unsuccessful, the project continues moving forward and remaining Highlands Council funding is being used to support acquisition of a lease agreement with Warren County for a site to create the Center, additional grant applications, and site design. Funding also supported initial planning activities including the launch of a website (njprocessing.org) and creation of a partnership with Warren County Community College to provide educational and work opportunities to students.
Award to Oxford Township, Warren County, through the Plan Conformance Grant Program: $150,000. Total reimbursements to-date: $75,774.00.