Governor Murphy’s SFY2025 detailed budget recommendations for the Department of Agriculture (NJDA) total $178.1 million, a decrease of 45.6% or $149.3 million from SFY2024’s allocation of $327.4 million.
The budget and language recommendations remain unchanged from the previous year, highlighting direct state services for SFY2025 for animal disease control, plant pest and disease control, agriculture and natural resources, and farmland protection programs and services. For more on the Governor’s overall budget proposal, please see our SFY2025 Budget writeup.
Below is a review of NJDA's budget.
Animal Disease Control: The Division of Animal Health budget recommendation is a slight increase in funding for SFY2025 from $2.26 million to $2.5 million. The Division of Animal Health oversees the animal disease surveillance and control programs that safeguard the health of livestock. The Division also sets standards and issues licenses to livestock dealers, auction houses, and manufacturers and distributors of biological products. It is mandated to provide emergency management and enforce the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations.
Plant Pest and Disease Control: The Plant Pest and Disease Control services are set to receive a decrease from SFY2024 of $235,000 from $3.23 million to $2.99 million for SFY2025. NJ’s food crops, forests, and other plant resources are tasked with developing programs that monitor the risk of harmful insects and diseases. These programs also create certification programs to support interstate and international trade of plants and plant-based products.
Agricultural and Natural Resources: For SFY2025, the budgeted allocation for the Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources is level at $532,000. The Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources is responsible for the preservation of New Jersey’s agricultural landscapes by managing erosion, sedimentation, and non-point water pollution sources. The Division also oversees Future Farmers of America, Office of Aquaculture Coordination, and the Farmland Assessment programs.
Farmland Preservation: New Jersey's Farmland Preservation Program is recommended to receive level funding of $258,000 for SFY2025. The State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) collaborates with municipalities, counties, and nonprofit organizations to purchase non-agricultural development rights from farmers. This arrangement limits the use of farms strictly to agricultural purposes, ensuring the preservation of the farmland.
Department Objective: The Department of Agriculture is responsible for preserving farms and protecting and conserving natural and agricultural resources. This involves biological control programs and emergency management functions. The Department also preserves farmland, promotes New Jersey agricultural and aquacultural products, protects and conserves agricultural and natural resources, and administers nutrition programs by reimbursing schools, childcare centers, and after-school programs for providing healthy meals to children. The Department helps provide emergency feeding assistance to our state’s food insecurity.
The SADC, which is in, but not of, the Department, administers the Farmland Preservation Program. The Department seeks to protect producers and consumers by ensuring safe agricultural products and services. The Department’s programs also aim to support and expand profitable, innovative agricultural and food industry development. The Department helps to ensure that children, the needy, and other New Jersey citizens get access to fresh and nutritious foods.
These figures are based on the Governor’s proposal and may change based on public testimony, changes by the Legislature, and discussions with the Administration before its enactment by the end of June. The League will provide further updates as the budget process continues.