New Jersey Agritourism Grant Program

The New Jersey Agritourism Grant Program (NJATP) aims to support local agritourism businesses with up to $100,000 in funding to enhance visitor engagement and education. Funded by the $5 million Agritourism Fund, the program encourages projects that align with agricultural education and entertainment, ensuring applicants are located in New Jersey. This initiative fosters economic growth in the state by promoting unique agritourism experiences.

New Jersey Agritourism Grant Program (NJATP)
Pursuant to L. 2023, c. 87, the Division of Travel and Tourism within the Department of State (“NJTT”) has established a grant program sourced from an annual appropriation known as the “Agritourism Fund”. As a result, the New Jersey Agritourism Grant Program (“NJATP”) was created by NJTT in consultation with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (“NJDA”) to support New Jersey Agritourism businesses in their efforts to attract, entertain, and educate visitors.
Program Overview
The purpose of the New Jersey Agritourism Grant Program is to provide funding to support New Jersey agritourism businesses in their efforts to attract, entertain, and educate visitors.
Available Funding
A total of $5 million dollars ($5,000,000) is available for funding through the NJATP. Applicants may request up to $100,000 in grant funding and must submit documentation to substantiate all proposed grant expenses. Examples of supporting documentation include contracts, catalog pricing, e-commerce screenshots, certified quotes, or other documentation which supports the applicant’s budget for the activities proposed.

Eligibility

Agricultural entities operating in the State of New Jersey are eligible to apply for grant funding. Eligible entities include:
FarmsRanchesOn-Farm WineriesOn-Farm BreweriesOn-Farm DistilleriesNon-Farm Brewery/Distillery/WineriesOther Agricultural Businesses that pursue funding to support eligible activities.The applicant’s operation must be physically located in New Jersey. Applicants with physical locations in multiple states must provide adequate documentation that project activities will occur solely in New Jersey.To be considered for NJATP funding, eligible agricultural businesses must submit projects that align with one or more of the following activity categories:Agricultural EducationAgricultural EntertainmentAgritourism EventAgritourism Marketing CampaignExamples of eligible Agritourism activities include, but are not limited to:
Pick-Your-OwnChristmas Trees, Pumpkins, Strawberries, and other Specialty Crops, as defined by the USDA.Corn Mazes/Crop ArtHayridesAgricultural Museums or ExhibitsBrewery or Winery Tours/TastingsHorseback RidingFarm ToursOther agricultural activities conducted by an Agritourism business for the education and/or entertainment of participants.

Ineligibility

Project activities not eligible for funding through this program include any funds requested for expenses not directly related to eligible agritourism activities. This includes any requests for grant funding to exclusively support the sale of merchandise, food, or agricultural products at retail.Applicants that do not currently offer on-farm agritourism activities, or whose projects do not propose the integration or adoption of agritourism offerings into their business through this grant program, are ineligible for NJATP funding.The following costs and activities are presumptively ineligible for funding:
General operating costs, including, but not limited to:General-purpose equipment that is not essential to the execution of the grant project, such as general use motor vehicles, office furniture, office air conditioners, printers, and copiers or lease agreements to own (i.e., lease-toown or rent-to-own).Salaries, fringe benefits or other payments to staff that are not essential to the project.Insurance, membership fees, or other monthly business expenses.Acquiring real property (including land purchases), or any interest therein.Claim expenses that have been or will be reimbursed under any Federal, State, or local government funding program.Any costs or activities not approved in the signed grant agreement by the grantee and grantor.