NJ Wildlife Fencing Grants

NJ Wildlife Fencing Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: State of New Jersey Department of Agriculture
Amount: Up to US $50,000
Last Updated: December 19, 2025

Summary

The NJ Wildlife Fencing Grants provide cost-share funding for installing wildlife fencing on unpreserved farms in New Jersey. Eligible farm owners, operators, or tenants can receive up to 50% matching funds, up to $50,000, to help construct, maintain, or restore fencing for wildlife protection. The program aims to support agricultural sustainability while safeguarding crops from wildlife. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted.

Overview

NOTE: Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds for the fiscal year are expended. Once all available funds have been awarded, the Department will close the application period and post notice of that on its website. Wildlife Fencing Program The NJDA Wildlife Fencing Program makes cost-share funding available for the installation of wildlife fencing on unpreserved farms. Unpreserved farm owners, operators, or tenants in New Jersey may receive up to 50 percent matching funds ($50,000 maximum) if their application is approved. Purpose The purpose for which the grant program funds shall be used: To aid in the construction of deer and bear (or other wildlife) fencing, any eligible owner, operator, or lessee of unpreserved farmland as set forth at N.J.S.A. 4:20-6.1(a), as amended at P.L. 2023, c. 223, may apply to the Division to receive matching grant monies to construct, maintain, or restore wildlife fencing.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The groups or entities that may apply and necessary qualifications:The owner, operator, or lessee of a commercial farm that does not include preserved farmland, who meets each of the four following eligibility criteria:The applicant’s farming operation must meet the definition of a “commercial farm” at N.J.S.A. 4:1C-3 under at least one of the following criteria:It is a farm management unit of no less than five acres producing agricultural or horticultural products worth $2,500 or more annually, and satisfying the eligibility criteria for differential property taxation pursuant to the Farmland Assessment Act of 1964, P.L. 1964, c. 48 (N.J.S.A. 54:4- 23.1 et seq.);It is a farm management unit of less than five acres, producing agricultural or horticultural products worth $50,000 or more annually and otherwise satisfying the eligibility criteria for differential property taxation pursuant to the Farmland Assessment Act of 1964, P.L. 1964, c. 48 (N.J.S.A. 54:4- 23.1 et seq.); orIt is a farm management unit that is a beekeeping operation producing honey or other agricultural or horticultural apiary-related products, or providing crop pollination services, worth $10,000 or more annually;The applicant’s farming operation must have had a minimum of $10,000 in gross sales from agricultural or horticultural products grown or derived from the applicant’s farm operation as reflected in either personal or business federal tax return forms;The applicant must be willing and authorized to enter an agreement pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:20-6.1.d(1), which imposes a requirement to maintain the land for eight years in agricultural or horticultural production, and other requirements, including an obligation to repay the grant on a pro rata basis if the land is not farmed for the full eight-year period; andIf the applicant is a lessee (tenant) or operator who does not own the farmland, the applicant will need to provide written approval to install the fencing on the land from the owner of the land on which the fencing is to be installed. Such written approval is required at the time of application for a grant.

Ineligibility

Preserved farms are not eligible for WFCS Grants.