Wildlife Fence Cost-Share Program for Unpreserved Farms

The Wildlife Fence Cost-Share Program for Unpreserved Farms is administered by the Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources within the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA). This state-funded initiative is designed to support farmers operating on unpreserved farmland in New Jersey by offering financial assistance to install fencing that protects crops and other agricultural products from wildlife damage, including intrusion by deer and bears. This program is legislatively supported under N.J.S.A. 4:20-6.1 and seeks to reduce economic losses caused by wildlife on working farms. The program offers a cost-sharing structure where approved applicants can receive up to 50 percent of eligible project costs, with a maximum award limit of $50,000. Payments are primarily structured as reimbursements following installation and inspection of the fencing by NJDA. However, applicants may request an advance payment of up to 25 percent of projected costs (or $25,000, whichever is less) if they can demonstrate financial capability to cover the full costs upfront. A total of approximately $1,047,818.64 is available for the Fiscal Year 2026 cycle, which concludes on June 30, 2026. Grants are awarded on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. Eligibility is strictly limited to owners, operators, or lessees of unpreserved commercial farms in New Jersey. Applicants must demonstrate that their operations meet specific thresholds under New Jersey's definition of a "commercial farm." These include acreage and revenue minimums—ranging from five acres and $2,500 in annual agricultural value to smaller-scale high-revenue operations or apiaries producing over $10,000 annually. All applicants must have at least $10,000 in gross sales from agriculture or horticulture documented in their tax filings. Furthermore, recipients must agree to maintain the land for agricultural or horticultural use for eight years following installation. Lessees must also obtain written landowner authorization for fencing installation. Applicants are required to complete the official NJDA application form, available through the Department’s website. They must also review and agree to the terms outlined in the program's standard agreement and appendices, which specify deer and electric bear fencing standards. All supporting documentation, including fence type, quantity, and cost estimates, must be included in the submission. Applications missing required components may be deemed ineligible, especially given the rolling nature of the program. Submissions should be directed to the NJDA Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources. While there is no fixed deadline, applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible via email to [email protected] due to the limited pool of funds. If funding runs out, the application window will be closed, and pending applications will not be processed unless additional funding becomes available. NJDA will post notices regarding funding status changes on its website and directly notify affected applicants. Award decisions are made on a first-come, first-served basis, with scoring criteria applied only in situations where multiple applications are competing for the remaining funds. Applicants will be notified of their status as soon as possible after submission. Approved applicants must sign a Grant Award Agreement prior to funding disbursement. Further inquiries can be made via email or by contacting the NJDA at 609-913-6490.

Submit early; awards are first-come, first-served until funds exhausted.