Interested in NJ Farming & Food Systems Policy?
Led by our Policy Committee, NOFA NJ advocates for improved policy outcomes that support organic farming, local food systems, and environmental stewardship on local, state, and national levels. The Policy Committee welcomes interested guests and collaborators and seeks input from the NOFA NJ Membership to represent our community of farmers, gardeners, educators, eaters and food system professionals.
NOFA NJ Policy Committee
The NOFA NJ Policy Committee meets monthly and is comprised of NOFA NJ Board Members, volunteers, organizational partners, and other interested community members and stakeholders. The Committee supports positive policy outcomes through direct legislative engagement, participation in regular and special agricultural/food policy meetings throughout NJ, direct response to farmer policy needs, and more.
NOFA NJ Policy efforts are led by the Policy Committee Chair, Cali Alexander. Individuals interested in participating in the Policy Committee should email [email protected]
NJ Organic Farming Board
In 2023, NOFA NJ was instrumental in the passage of legislation to establish an Organic Farming Board housed within the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. The Board’s purpose is to develop, administer, and oversee programs in consultation with the Department of Agriculture on topics related to organic farming.
The seven-member Board meets quarterly and provides reports to the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture. More information can be found on the NJDA’s website. Learn More
Additional Policy Resources
New Jersey Food Democracy Collaborative NJFDC is a state food system organizing and advocacy initiative, inspired by the food policy council model.
Find Your State Representatives Engage with local legislators to inform local, state, and national policy outcomes.
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition advocates for federal policy reform for the sustainability of food systems, natural resources, and rural communities.
State Board of Agriculture
The State Board of Agriculture is an eight-member body that was established as the head of the NJ Department of Agriculture and operates in accordance with the agricultural laws of New Jersey and establishes related agricultural policies. Members of the Board are nominated at the annual Northern and Southern Delegate Caucus meeting and officially elected by the delegates at the annual State Agricultural Convention.
The State Board of Agriculture meets monthly at the NJDA offices in Trenton. The meeting schedule, minutes, and more information can be found on the NJDA website. Learn More
NOFA NJ Policy News
County Boards of Agriculture
County Boards of Agriculture are one of the primary avenues that farmers and agricultural professionals can navigate to advocate. Each County is governed by its own set of bylaws and sends delegates to engage in the State Agricultural Convention each year. Some (most) County Boards have become incorporated into NJ Farm Bureau a, private non-governmental organization.
See below for specific County meeting information. NOFA NJ is eager to mentor community members in policy advocacy and happy to join you in attending County Board Meetings – reach out to [email protected] for more information.
Meets 2nd Monday of Each Month
Location: 6260 Old Harding Highway, Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Meets 2nd Tuesday of Each Month
Location: 1 Bergen County Plaza, 4th Floor Hackensack, NJ 07601-7076
Meets 3rd Thursday of Each Month
Location: Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences, 307 High St., Mt. Holly, NJ 08060
Meets 2nd Tuesday of Each Month
Location: Camden County Library (South County), 35 Cooper Folly Road, Atco
Meets 1st Wednesday of Each Month
Location: 4 Moore Road. Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Meets 3rd Thursday of Each Month
Location: Cumberland 4H Extension Center- 291 Morton Ave Millville, NJ 08332
Meets 3rd Tuesday of Each Month
Meets 4th Monday of Each Month
Location: Gloucester County Building of Government Services, 254 County House Road, Clarksboro, NJ 08020
No Board exists for Hudson County
Meets 1st Wednesday of Each Month
Contact: [email protected]
Location: Hunterdon County Fairgrounds Administrative Building
In Winter, the Hunterdon Board meets at 314 State Route 12, Building 1, Route 12 County Complex, Flemington, New Jersey 08822
Meets 2nd Monday of Each Month
Location: Extension Services Building, 1440 Parkside Avenue, Ewing, New Jersey
Meets 1st Tuesday of Each Month
Location: Cranbury Township Municipal Building 23A North Main Street Cranbury, NJ
Meets 3rd Tuesday of Each Month
Location: Monmouth County Agricultural Building, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ 0772
Meets 1st Tuesday of Each Month
Location: Morris County Office of Planning & Preservation 30 Schuyler Place, 4th Floor Morristown 07960
Meets 3rd Wednesday of Each Month
Location: Rutgers Cooperative Extension Offices, 2nd Floor, 1623 Whitesville Road, Toms River, NJ
Meets 3rd Wednesday of Each Month
Location: 401 Grand Street, Room 417, Paterson, NJ 07505
Meets 3rd Monday of Each Month
Location: 51 Cheney Road, Suite 3, Woodstown NJ 08098
Meets 2nd Thursday of Each Month
Location: Somerset County Administration Building, 20 Grove Street, Somerville, NJ (Commissioners Meeting Room – Third Floor)
Meets 4th Monday of Each Month
Location: Sussex County Freeholder Room, One Spring Street, Newton, NJ
Meets 2nd Wednesday of Each Month
Meets 3rd Wednesday of Each Month
Location: Pollution Control Financing Authority Building, 500 Mt. Pisgah Avenue