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Bill

A 4029

Authorizes county agricultural development boards to contractually purchase supplies for sale to New Jersey farmers.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Andrea Katz and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a state-funded Farmer Supply Link to buy discounted bulk ag supplies for NJ farmers via county boards and aggregators, prioritizing new/need-based farmers.

Reported and Referred to Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4029

Overview

A 4029 (Session 222, New Jersey) establishes a state-supported framework—the Farmer Supply Link Program—for county agricultural development boards to contract with agricultural product aggregators to purchase discounted bulk supplies for sale to eligible New Jersey farmers. The program aims to reduce farmers’ supply costs, develop agricultural capital, and enhance farm resilience, drawing on recommendations from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

Main purpose and intent

  • Create and fund a centralized bulk-purchasing program to help New Jersey farmers obtain discounted agricultural supplies.
  • Enable county agriculture development boards to contract with experienced aggregators to source supplies at reduced prices and sell them to farmers.
  • Prioritize accessibility for new/beginning farmers and those with demonstrated financial need.
  • Use program-generated revenues (fees) to support ongoing operations and, if excess, credit the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund.

Key provisions and changes

  • Governance and program name:

    • Establishes the Farmer Supply Link Program, to be designed in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and administered by county boards.
    • The State Agricultural Development Committee and Department of Agriculture will develop and oversee the program.

  • Definitions:

    • Agricultural product aggregator: a non-public vendor authorized to contract with boards to purchase agricultural products and provide centralized resources for multiple farmers.
    • Board: a county agriculture development board created under existing law.
    • Committee: the State Agriculture Development Committee.
    • Opportunity buying: purchasing discounted products available for a limited time.

  • Program operations (Section 2):

    • Boards may contract with aggregators to purchase bulk supplies at discounted rates for sale to eligible New Jersey farmers.
    • Eligible supplies include equipment, compost, fertilizer, fuel, farm infrastructure, seeds, livestock, and pesticides.
    • Purchases and sales are restricted to eligible New Jersey farmers.
    • Boards must develop rules, fee schedules, and formats for distribution, including guidelines for opportunity buying and measurable procurement benchmarks.
    • Fees must be reasonable, annually CPI-adjusted, and sufficient to recover all costs (including direct, indirect, and administrative costs).
    • Any revenue beyond minimum fees must be deposited into the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund.
    • In the first year, boards may seek grants from the committee funded by the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund; in subsequent years, contracts with aggregators are payable only from program-derived funds (fees).

  • Prioritization and terms:

    • Boards may adopt rules to prioritize new or beginning farmers and those with demonstrated financial need.
    • Boards may establish terms governing use of the purchased supplies.

  • Federal and intergovernmental alignment (Section 3):

    • Boards may participate in USDA or other federal programs or with other state agencies to administer the program.

  • Administrative framework (Section 4):

    • The departments and boards may adopt rules under the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the act.

  • Effective date (Section 5):

    • The act takes effect immediately.

Who is affected

  • County agriculture development boards: empowered to implement the program, enter contracts with aggregators, set rules, fees, and prioritization policies.
  • Agricultural product aggregators: eligible to contract with boards to supply discounted bulk agricultural products.
  • New Jersey farmers: potential beneficiaries who can pre-order and purchase discounted supplies through the program.
  • State agencies: Department of Agriculture and State Agricultural Development Committee provide guidance and oversight.
  • Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund: potential funding source for initial grants and program finances; excess fees credited here.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Initiation: Act takes effect immediately upon enactment.
  • Year 1: Boards may request grants from the committee, funded by the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund.
  • Year 2 onward: Contracts funded by program-generated fee revenues rather than external grants (subject to fee sufficiency and compliance).
  • Annual adjustments: Fees must be CPI-adjusted annually and sufficient to cover costs; excess revenue credited to the farmland preservation fund.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Positive impacts: reduced input costs for farmers, improved farm resilience, support for new farmers, and potential growth in local agricultural infrastructure.
  • Financial mechanics: reliance on fees and CPI adjustments; potential grant reliance in the first year.
  • Equity considerations: explicit prioritization for new/beginning farmers and those with financial need.
  • Market dynamics: introduction of a centralized aggregator model could influence supply chains and competition among suppliers.

This summary captures the bill’s core aim, structure, and potential effects on stakeholders and the agricultural supply ecosystem in New Jersey.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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