October 29, 2026

Grant Opportunity for Beginning Farmers to Adopt Conservation Practices

The National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) is accepting applications for the Next Generation Farmer Fund through December 1, 2026!

Beginning farmers or ranchers under the age of 40 (as of December 31, 2027) are eligible to receive $10k-$50k to support implementation of new conservation practices during the 2027 growing season. These practices must be new on the land where the project will take place and improve soil health, water management, energy use, and biodiversity. Practices that fall within those categories include:

  • Cover cropping
  • Rotational grazing
  • Nutrient management plans
  • Renewable energy infrastructure
  • High tunnels
  • Pollinator plantings
  • And more!

To learn more about grant eligibility requirements, the application process and timeline, and other details, consider signing up for an informational webinar hosted by NYFC on November 5th at 7pm ET. You can also reach out to nextgenfarmerfund@youngfarmers.org with questions.

Filed Under: Agrivoltaics, Blueberry, Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, vegetable, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , , ,
December 4, 2024 , , and

Draft Rules For Dual-Use Solar Energy Pilot Program & Public Information Session

On December 2, 2024, the NJ Board of Public Utilities posted draft rules for the Dual-Use Solar Energy (agrivoltaics) Pilot Program that was enacted by the NJ State Legislature. The purpose of the posting is to elicit public input by the January 31, 2025 deadline. The draft rules in the NJ Register are available to review here:  https://go.rutgers.edu/Dual-Use-Solar-Rules
There will be a public information session (presentation and Q&A) about the draft rules on the morning of December 17. More details about this session are available here: https://www.nj.gov/bpu/newsroom/public/
Filed Under: Agrivoltaics, Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , ,
March 17, 2021

Agrivoltaics – Combining Solar Power & Farming in NJ — CORRECTED LINK

THE REGISTRATION LINK IN THIS POST HAS BEEN CORRECTED.

Farming under solar panels = “Agrivoltaics”.

On Wednesday, March 24th 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Rutgers NJAES will host a webinar on “Agrivoltaics” to explore farming the ground under solar panels (photovoltaics), what’s possible and what’s not in NJ.

Please register in advance for this meeting (no cost) at:

https://rutgers.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUucuurrzkpHNGZTA7os7FizQOsd8Pv23Pu

Agrivoltaics (also called dual use solar on farmland) offers the potential to both create renewable energy and sustain the productivity and profitability of precious farmland. Properly designed agrivoltaic systems have the potential to be built in such a way that the photovoltaic panels allow for farm equipment operation and minimal impact on crop productivity.

This webinar will explore examples of Agrivoltaic systems from other parts of the world and detail the work that has been done by the UMass Clean Energy Extension Program.  Participants will be able to interact with the NJAES Photovoltaic Committee and the Director of UMass Clean Energy Extension Program.

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , ,