This winter, there have been reports of sick and dead wild birds within the state of New Jersey. Some of which have tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Last month, one case of HPAI in domestic poultry was identified in Burlington County.
NJDA is asking people to report any sick or dead wild birds. Click here for more information.
The New Jersey Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Agriculture Education Award.
This award recognizes an outstanding New Jersey educator who brings agriculture to life in the classroom through hands-on learning, creativity, and student engagement. Teachers can apply directly for an agriculture-related project
currently used or planned for their school.
Applications will be reviewed by the committee, and one recipient will be selected in early spring. The selected educator will receive an award along with a monetary donation of up to $500 to support their agriculture project
during the 2025–2026 school year.
Applications must be postmarked or emailed by March 18, 2026 to: NJFB Women’s Leadership Committee, 168 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608 or email at wlc@njfb.org
This week USDA Farm Service Administration (FSA) announced the enrollment period for the Fiscal Year 2026 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP):
(Washington, D.C., February 13, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $1 billion in Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program assistance for specialty crops and sugar, commodities not covered through the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. These one-time bridge payments will help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports. Specialty crop producers have until March 13, 2026, to report 2025 acres to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).
“President Trump has the backs of our farmers, and today we are building on our Farmer Bridge Assistance program with the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program. Our specialty crop producers continue to feel the negative effects of four years under the Biden Administration, suffering from record inflation, a depleted farm safety net, and delayed disaster assistance,” said Secretary Rollins. “President Trump and the entire cabinet are working every day to fight bidenflation and lower prices for consumers. If our specialty crop producers are not economically able to continue their operations, American families will see a decrease in the food they rely on, wholesome and nutritious fruits and vegetables. Putting Farmers First is essential to the Make America Healthy Again movement and we are doing both at USDA by expanding market opportunities and improving the farm economy for all producers. Today’s specialty crop announcement builds on our efforts to improve markets for real food into American schools, institutions, and family dinner tables.”
The Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program is authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and will be administered by FSA.
Eligible Specialty Crops
ASCF-eligible specialty crops include: (A) Almond, Apple, Apricot, Aronia berry, Artichoke, Asparagus, Avocado (B) Banana, Bean (Snap or green; Lima; Dry edible), Beet (Table), Blackberry, Blueberry, Breadfruit, Broccoli (including Broccoli Raab), Brussels Sprouts (C) Cabbage (including Chinese), Cacao, Carrot, Cashew, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Cherimoya, Cherry, Chestnut (for Nuts), Chive, Citrus, Coconut, Coffee, Collards (including Kale), Cranberry, Cucumber, Currant (D) Date, Dry Edible Beans and Peas* (E) Edamame, Eggplant, Endive (F) Feijou, Fig, Filbert (Hazelnut) (G) Garlic, Gooseberry, Grape (including Raisin), Guava (H) Horseradish (K) Kiwi, Kohlrabi (L) Leek, Lettuce, Litchi (M) Macadamia, Mango, Melon (All Types), Mushroom (Cultivated), Mustard and Other Greens (N) Nectarine (O) Okra, Olive, Onion, Opuntia (P) Papaya, Parsley, Parsnip, Passion Fruit, Pea (Garden; English or Edible Pod; Dry edible), Peach, Pear, Pecan, Pepper, Persimmon, Pineapple, Pistachio, Plum (including Prune), Pomegranate, Potato, Pumpkin (Q) Quince (R) Radish (All Types), Raspberry, Rhubarb, Rutabaga (S) Salsify, Spinach, Squash (Summer and Winter), Strawberry, Suriname Cherry, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Swiss Chard (T) Taro, Tomato (including Tomatillo), Turnip (W) Walnut, Watermelon
*Dry edible beans and peas covered by FBA will not be eligible for ASCF.
ASCF payments are based on reported 2025 planted acres.
Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by 5 p.m. ET on March 13, 2026. Commodity-specific payment rates will be released by the end of March. Crop insurance linkage will not be required for the ASCF Program. However, USDA strongly urges producers to take advantage of the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) risk management tools to best protect against price risk and volatility in the future.
More information on ASCF is available online at www.fsa.usda.gov/fba or producers can contact their local FSA county office.
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American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the House Agriculture Committee release of its version of the farm bill, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.
“Farmers appreciate Chairman G.T. Thompson and the House Agriculture Committee for their work in drafting a new, modernized farm bill. The legislation is needed more than ever as America’s farmers and ranchers struggle through the worst economic storm in generations.
“We’re still reviewing the text of the bill, but it includes important updates to credit, conservation, research, and rural development programs, and calls for expansion of specialty crop programs. The bill also preserves interstate commerce to enable farmers to remain competitive in the evolving marketplace.
“We urge the House Agriculture Committee to work in a bipartisan manner to find consensus and move the bill forward. Additionally, in light of the ongoing economic conditions plaguing rural America, Farm Bureau will continue to work with congressional leaders on our top priorities including additional funding for bridge assistance payments, year-round E15 and a solution to our agricultural labor crisis.”
Two Hopewell Township farms—Fairgrown Farm and Double Brook Farm—are positioned to expand their role in addressing food insecurity across New Jersey following major awards through a state food access initiative approved late last year.
The grants were issued through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s Food Equity and Economic Development in New Jersey (FEED NJ) program, a $30 million competitive funding effort designed to strengthen food access in the state’s most underserved communities. While the awards were announced in late 2025, local implementation is now taking shape as farms and nonprofit partners prepare to receive and then put the funding into operation.
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Registration is now open for the New Jersey Forestry Association’s 51st Annual Meeting, “The Courage to Care: Elevating the Art of Forest Stewardship.” It will take place March 21, 2026, 8:30am – 4pm, at Cook Campus Center, Rutger’s University, 59 Biel Road New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Seating is limited, so registering early is suggested.
Keynote Speaker: Paul Catanzaro – one of the most recognized voices of ecological forestry – will be our keynote speaker. Paul is a Professor of Forest Ecology and Conservation at the University of Massachusetts, serves as the State Extension Forester and is co-Director of the Family Forest Research Center, a partnership of UMass and the USDA Forest Service. For more than 25 years, Paul has studied family forest owners to understand their goals and challenges, turning this knowledge into practical and effective landowner resources. Paul’s new book (co-authored with Anthony D’Amato) is Tending Your Forest, A Guide to Ecological Forest Stewardship in the Eastern and Central United States.
In addition, we will have presentations by leading forest professionals, officials, scientists and landowners, bringing us to the real-world intersection of forests, stewardship, conservation, woodland ownership, wildlife (deer), society, politics, regulation, legislation and ethics. Representatives of numerous governmental and conservation organizations will have displays and representatives to speak with you. We will also hold our annual business meeting, election of directors, announce this year’s winner of the Sal Vuocolo Award, and bring you up-to-date on changes to farmland assessment, rules, regulations and laws that impact forest ownership.
Click HERE for a preliminary agenda.
You should attend this meeting if you are a forest landowner, farmer, forest professional, legislator, elected official, member of an environmental commission, tax assessor, government official, involved in urban and community forestry, engaged in the conservation community, and are interested in learning more about forests and how to tend to them. This meeting is focused on practical takeaways – so you will leave with a greater understanding and enthusiasm, no matter what your role in our ecosystem.
Registration fees include a light breakfast and full buffet lunch. 2026 NJFA Members may register at a discounted rate. Our directors have donated door prizes and a 50/50 Cash Raffle will be conducted to support the NJFA.
Click HERE to register online.
Click HERE to download a printable, mail-in-with-check form.
—New Jersey Forestry Association
Sunday’s big game will be the main focus for millions of America’s families, but what they eat during the game will be a close second. The NFL championship represents the second-highest day of food consumption, behind only Thanksgiving.
The event offers a snapshot of the strength and reach of U.S. agriculture, along with the historic challenges facing America’s farmers and ranchers. In the latest Market Intel, American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the most popular snacks and the economic pressures on farmers who grow the food fans count on.
“As fans gather around their TVs this Super Bowl Sunday, it’s worth remembering that every bite reflects far more than what’s on the plate,” the Market Intel states. “It reflects a highly coordinated agricultural system and the farmers and ranchers working every day to keep it running, even as economic pressures continue to mount well beyond game day.”
The Market Intel presents a picture of the realities of farming, including;
Corn
Potatoes
Poultry
Dairy
“Farmers are proud to grow the food America’s families enjoy during their watch parties, and every other day of the year,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We’re fortunate to be blessed with such an abundant food supply, but the reality is, farmers are facing an economic crisis like we haven’t seen in generations. We’re grateful for aid the administration has delivered to farmers this year and do not take that for granted, but more steps are needed to ensure farmers can stay in business until markets improve. There will be only one winner in the game this Sunday, but everyone wins when we protect America’s food supply chain.”
The Market Intel analyzes other commodities including wheat, tomatoes and avocados. To read the full Market Intel, click here.
Did you know that when you join New Jersey Farm Bureau, you automatically become a member of the American Farm Bureau as well? The dedicated staff at AFBF work hard every day to represent agriculture and rural issues in Congress, in the courts and with federal regulators.
Some of the work of AFBF and the 2025 achievements are available in the new AFBF Impact Report. Click here to learn more.
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New Jersey is accepting applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Agricultural Land Easement (ACEP-ALE). Application packages are due by Feb. 28, 2026.
The ACEP-ALE program aims to protect the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses of that land that negatively affect the agricultural uses and conservation values, and to protect grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible land.
Applicants (eligible entities) must be a federally recognized Indian Tribe, state or local units of government, or a non-governmental organization. Applicants must have an established farmland protection program that purchases agricultural conservation easements for the purpose of protecting agriculture use and related conservation values by limiting conversion to nonagricultural uses of the land.
USDA provides up to 50 percent of the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement in this voluntary program and up to 75 percent for qualifying Grasslands of Special Significance (GSS). The qualified landowner retains ownership and continues to use the land for agricultural purposes.
To be eligible to receive ALE funding, eligible entity applicants must demonstrate a commitment to long-term conservation of agricultural lands; a capability to acquire, manage, and enforce easements; adequate staff capacity for monitoring and easement stewardship; and the availability of funds. All landowners of record and the land being offered for enrollment must also meet specific eligibility criteria as outlined in the application materials posted to the State ACEP website.
Fully completed application packets may be sent to the attention of Easements Program Manager, by email (preferred) to katelyn.colon@usda.gov or by mail to USDA-NRCS, 200 Clocktower Dr, Suite 101, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690.
Only fully completed and properly executed applications that are submitted by these signup dates on the appropriate forms and accompanied by all required supporting documentation will be considered for funding in FY 2026. All qualified applications will be reviewed, ranked, and considered for funding according to the Final ACEP rule, policy, and guidance. Complete applications received after the cutoff date may be considered if another sign-up date is announced. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
For more information about ACEP-ALE in New Jersey, please contact Katelyn Colon at (732) 537-6099 or katelyn.colon@usda.gov. You can also visit your nearest USDA Service Center or visit the New Jersey NRCS ACEP website.
