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United States Department of Agriculture
 Farm Service Agency
United States Department of Agriculture
 Farm Service Agency
New Jersey
New Jersey

New Jersey

It's County Committee Election Season! 

Calogero with Perdue

NEW! - Click here for a special election message from
New Jersey State Executive Director, Barry Calogero

The election of responsible agricultural producers to FSA county committees is important to ALL farmers and ranchers with large or small operations. It is crucial that every eligible producer take part in this election because county committees are a direct link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Committee members are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA. They help deliver FSA farm programs at the local level. Farmers who serve on committees help decide the kind of programs their counties will offer. They work to make FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers. 

FSA’s been across the country interviewing current committee members to spotlight their involvement in their county.
Read what they have to say and check back each week.

More information and documentation can be found at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections

Important Election Dates  

Aug. 1, 2018 - Last day to file nomination forms at the local USDA Service Center Deadline Past

Nov. 5, 2018 - Ballots mailed to eligible voters Deadline Past

Dec. 3, 2018 - Last day to return voted ballots to the USDA Service Center 

Jan. 1, 2019 - Newly elected county committee members take office         

Click below to access your Service Center election information:    

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Wind Damage

Please reach out your local FSA office if you or anyone you know has experienced crop or farm property damage as a result of recent weather events. This information is vital for emergency declarations which make additional assistance available to you and your peers.

Farm Service Agency has programs to assist with fruit trees, berry bushes, ornamental, and vine losses as well as losses of livestock, honeybees, and farm raised fish. These programs are not insurance programs and do not require purchasing coverage prior to the weather event or disaster (excludes NAP). Click on the links below for information on some of our programs:

Crop Damage

Property Damage

If you have crop coverage under the Non Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and feel that the weather has affected your covered crop please make sure you contact your local FSA office immediately (within 72 hours). If you would like to sign up for NAP contact your local FSA office for details.

2018 Crop Year Disaster Designations

Farmers in the following counties are eligible for Emergency Loans through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA):

Administrator’s Physical Loss Notification 

  • Farmers in Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, Burlington, Atlantic, Camden, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean and Warren Counties who suffered severe physical losses caused by excessive snow, excessive rain, flooding and high winds that occurred March 2, 2018, through March 7, 2018. Loan applications must be received by February 8, 2019.

Presidential Designation 

  • Farmers in Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Sussex, Union, and Warren Counties who suffered physical losses caused by severe winter storms and snow storm that occurred March 6, 2018 and March 7, 2018. Loan applications must be received by February 8, 2019.

Secretarial Disaster Designation

  • Farmers in Cumberland and Salem Counties who suffered losses caused by torrential rains and flooding from April 25, 2018 to June 21, 2018. Loan applications must be received by March 18, 2019.
  • NEW! - Farmers in Atlantic, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem Counties who suffered losses caused by heat and drought from June 24, 2018 to July 21, 2018. Loan applications must be received by July 1, 2019
  • NEW! - Farmers in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean and Salem Counties who suffered losses caused by excessive rainfall and cool spring temperatures from May 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018. Loan applications must be received by July 1, 2019

Please contact your local County Office for more information or visit our Emergency Loan website at  https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/emergency-farm-loans/index or read the Disaster Designations Fact Sheet by clicking here. 

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About New Jersey Agriculture!

New Jersey, known as the Garden State, has a vast diversity of landscapes and is a unique combination of densely populated urban centers and open agricultural areas. For a small state, agriculture in New Jersey is quite significant with more than 100 crops being produced. Despite legislative and public pressures, high input costs, and the second highest per-acre market value of farmland in the nation, 16% of New Jersey land is dedicated to agriculture production and the ag industry contributes $987 million to the state’s economy.

The Garden State is 3rd in the nation for producing Cranberries, Peaches and Spinach; 4th in Bell Pepper production; 6th in Blueberries, Cucumbers, and Squash; and 7th in Tomatoes. Other major commodities are nursery, berries, equine and aquaculture.

Check out the video below to find out more about Morris Gbolo of World Crops Farms who take advantage of FSA Loans and Programs to help keep the garden in the Garden State.

About New Jersey FSA

The Farm Service Agency is a safety outlet for producers. It helps ensure:

  • The well-being of American Agriculture, the environment, and the American People though efficient and equitable administration of farm commodity programs;
  • Farm ownership, operating, and emergency loans;
  • Conservation and environmental programs;
  • Emergency and disaster assistance;
  • Domestic and international food assistance and international export credit programs.

Our Goals are to:

  • Stabilize Farm Income
  • Help Farmers Conserve Land and Water Resources
  • Provide Credit to New or Disadvantaged Farmers
  • Help Farm Operations Recover From the Effects of Disaster

FSA has six regional county offices. Click here to find your office.

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Double-Cropping

Each year, state committees will review and approve or disapprove county committee recommended changes or additions to specific combinations of crops.

Double-cropping is approved when the two specific crops have the capability to be planted and carried to maturity for the intended use, as reported by the producer, on the same acreage within a crop year under normal growing conditions. The specific combination of crops recommended by the county committee must be approved by the state committee.

Double-cropping is approved in New Jersey on a county-by-county basis. Click here to see the list of approved double -cropping combination for 2018 or contact your local FSA Office for a list of approved double-cropping combinations for your county.

A crop following a cover crop terminated according to termination guidelines is approved double cropping and these combinations do not have to be approved by the state committee.

NEW! - Click here to see the 2019 Approved Double Cropping list. 

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New Jersey Accomplishments

See how the Farm Service Agency has benefited New Jersey Agriculture!

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Resources for Small & Mid-Size Farmers

Contact...

Barry Calogero
State Executive Director

Farm Service Agency NJ State Office
300 Clocktower Drive, Suite 202
Hamilton Square, NJ 08690
Phone: (609) 587-0104
Fax: Administrative: (855) 305-6635
Programs: (855) 305-6513

Your State Committee
  • Linda A. DuBois (Committee Chair) - Pittsgrove
  • Kurt W. Alstede - Chester
  • Samuel G. Conard - Hillsborough
  • Martin J. Bullock - Cream Ridge
  • Vacant

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