In 2023, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA NJ) successfully advocated for increased resources for organic and regenerative farmers in the New Jersey state budget. A $1M Grant-in-Aid was awarded to NOFA NJ, and we successfully disbursed twenty-seven mini-grants totaling $250,000 to NJ producers to obtain and/or improve key farm infrastructure.
Read on to see the list of project summaries and how the opportunity impacted local farm businesses.
We appreciate the support of NOFA NJ, and all those who made these funds available to small Urban Farms like ours!
Overall this grant allowed us to meet this
year’s demand for our produce and makes working conditions safe and comfortable. This grant has been an essential part of our success this year.
This grant allowed us to build our new wash station without going into debt and to be able to more seamlessly transition onto our owned land.
Thanks to a grant from NOFA-NJ we were able to complete the upgrade to our wash/pack area which enabled us to comfortably sell 15 more CSA shares than originally planned due to the increased efficiency. This is a net income increase of almost $10,000 for the season!
In all, these improvements in our farm infrastructure have saved us time and increased our efficiency. Without these funds made available to us, we would not have been able to make the necessary investments in our operation.
Since receiving a $10,000 grant from NOFANJ, we have been able to purchase our first compact tractor! Thank you all so very much! This tractor has been an absolute joy to use. It has allowed us to expand our production and improve our farm.
I would like to thank the entire NOFA-NJ team for extending this opportunity to Pine Barrens Post and other small farms whom often do not qualify for other grant awards.
This grant allowed me to increase my meat chicken production by 350 birds per month without worrying about predators.
Using the NOFA-NJ mini grant we purchased a Honda mini truck that has been an amazing improvement on our farm in terms of efficiency. Thanks so much to NOFA for investing in small farms like ours!
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This grant is really allowing us to kickstart our operational growth into an entirely new category, and I thank NOFA profusely for believing in us and investing in our small farm.
These pieces of equipment allow us to bring freshly milled artisanal loaves to our community on a reasonable scale. Previously, it would take me 1 hour to bake 2 loaves. Now I can make 12 in 30 minutes. This is only a glimpse into a small fraction of the incredible resources we’ve gained as NOFA NJ members. Becoming members has truly enriched our lives.
It's so amazing to walk into the fields through a gate knowing we don't have to worry about the deer anymore. It's surreal. Thanks to everyone at NOFA NJ for the awesome work you are doing!!! This project has been life changing for us-really.
I expect the mini grant to make our farm more productive, profitable and professional, immediately.
We appreciate the support of NOFA NJ, and all those who made these funds available to small Urban Farms like ours!
Overall this grant allowed us to meet this
year’s demand for our produce and makes working conditions safe and comfortable. This grant has been an essential part of our success this year.
This grant allowed us to build our new wash station without going into debt and to be able to more seamlessly transition onto our owned land.
Thanks to a grant from NOFA-NJ we were able to complete the upgrade to our wash/pack area which enabled us to comfortably sell 15 more CSA shares than originally planned due to the increased efficiency. This is a net income increase of almost $10,000 for the season!
In all, these improvements in our farm infrastructure have saved us time and increased our efficiency. Without these funds made available to us, we would not have been able to make the necessary investments in our operation.
Since receiving a $10,000 grant from NOFANJ, we have been able to purchase our first compact tractor! Thank you all so very much! This tractor has been an absolute joy to use. It has allowed us to expand our production and improve our farm.
I would like to thank the entire NOFA-NJ team for extending this opportunity to Pine Barrens Post and other small farms whom often do not qualify for other grant awards.
This grant allowed me to increase my meat chicken production by 350 birds per month without worrying about predators.
Using the NOFA-NJ mini grant we purchased a Honda mini truck that has been an amazing improvement on our farm in terms of efficiency. Thanks so much to NOFA for investing in small farms like ours!
Previous
Next
This grant is really allowing us to kickstart our operational growth into an entirely new category, and I thank NOFA profusely for believing in us and investing in our small farm.
These pieces of equipment allow us to bring freshly milled artisanal loaves to our community on a reasonable scale. Previously, it would take me 1 hour to bake 2 loaves. Now I can make 12 in 30 minutes. This is only a glimpse into a small fraction of the incredible resources we’ve gained as NOFA NJ members. Becoming members has truly enriched our lives.
It's so amazing to walk into the fields through a gate knowing we don't have to worry about the deer anymore. It's surreal. Thanks to everyone at NOFA NJ for the awesome work you are doing!!! This project has been life changing for us-really.
I expect the mini grant to make our farm more productive, profitable and professional, immediately.
We appreciate the support of NOFA NJ, and all those who made these funds available to small Urban Farms like ours!
Thanks to a grant from NOFA-NJ we were able to complete the upgrade to our wash/pack area which enabled us to comfortably sell 15 more CSA shares than originally planned due to the increased efficiency. This is a net income increase of almost $10,000 for the season!
Overall this grant allowed us to meet this
year’s demand for our produce and makes working conditions safe and comfortable. This grant has been an essential part of our success this year.
This grant allowed us to build our new wash station without going into debt and to be able to more seamlessly transition onto our owned land.
In all, these improvements in our farm infrastructure have saved us time and increased our efficiency. Without these funds made available to us, we would not have been able to make the necessary investments in our operation.
Since receiving a $10,000 grant from NOFANJ, we have been able to purchase our first compact tractor! Thank you all so very much! This tractor has been an absolute joy to use. It has allowed us to expand our production and improve our farm.
I would like to thank the entire NOFA-NJ team for extending this opportunity to Pine Barrens Post and other small farms whom often do not qualify for other grant awards.
This grant allowed me to increase my meat chicken production by 350 birds per month without worrying about predators.
Using the NOFA-NJ mini grant we purchased a Honda mini truck that has been an amazing improvement on our farm in terms of efficiency. Thanks so much to NOFA for investing in small farms like ours!
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