LEARN ABOUT
Current Projects and Programs
LEARN ABOUT
Current Projects and Programs
TAKE PART IN
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The Regenerative Farm Network
A place to exchange knowledge and ideas.
North Jersey RC&D created the Regenerative Farm Network (RFN-NJ) as a place for farmers to learn and exchange knowledge regarding regenerative farm practices. Through RFN-NJ, farmers can receive technical assistance, training opportunities, speaker-development and farmer-to-farmer networking.
What Do Participants Gain?
North Jersey RC&D works with partners to provide:
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Educational workshops, field days, and meetings.
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Topics may include mitigation strategies for dealing with increased severe weather; rotational grazing; available farm loans and financial assistance; etc.
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Farmer Network Tours: Informative farmer-led walks.
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1:1 Technical Assistance (TA) Opportunity: TA includes annual farm budget preparation & farm planning; nutrient management planning; TA for implementing conservation practices; or soil testing fees.
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Steering Committee/Regional Leadership Training: An opportunity for development to become a regional conservation leader and provide input on the direction of RFN-NJ.
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Mentorship opportunity: Each year we pair 3 mentors with 3 mentees to train up new and transitioning farmers to regenerative agriculture.
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Education Stipend: Historically underserved farmers are eligible for up to $600 to apply towards regenerative farming education and events.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Mentorship Program 2025
The mentorship program is a flexible program tailored to the needs of the mentees and expertise and teaching styles of the mentors. We aim to help shape the future of New Jersey agriculture by fostering the growth of new or transitioning regenerative farmers. Three mentors and three mentees have been paired for the 2025 cohort. We look forward to watching the mentee/mentorship pairs grow!
Steering Committee/Regional Leadership Program 2025
The Regenerative Farm Network (RFN-NJ) is seeking six RFN-NJ members to participate in the 2025 RFN-NJ Steering Committee and take part in the Regional Leadership Program. Selected members will participate in both opportunities and choose to serve in a 1-year or 2-year term.
One-to-One Technical Assistance & Soil Testing
Apply now for full-cost and cost-sharing assistance towards One-to-One Opportunities including:
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Annual Farm Budget Preparation & Farm Planning
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Technical Assistance to Implement Conservation Practices
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Nutrient Management Planning
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Soil Testing
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and batch processed monthly.
RFN-NJ Education Stipends for HU Farmers
RFN-NJ has education stipends of up to $600 available to HU farmers to expand their knowledge of regenerative agriculture.
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Recent Past Events & Opportunities
Lunch & Learn: Grassland Bird Habitat on Working Farms
Join us for a lunchtime webinar hosted by the Regenerative Farm Network (RFN-NJ) and learn about how you can encourage grassland birds on your farm! Celia Vuocolo, Stewardship Project Director at NJ Audubon, will discuss:
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The importance of supporting grassland birds on working farms,
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Agricultural practices that encourage grassland birds,
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Local resources that can provide financial incentives and technical assistance.
Grab your lunch and join us for this informative webinar!
RFN-NJ Annual Network Event: Get Connected!
Discover available programs and meet the people who run them, network with fellow farmers, build valuable connections for your farm's success! This event was held Dec. 5th, 2024. Click here to learn about the organizations that attended the RFN-NJ 2024 Annual Network Event and provide programs to NJ farmers.
Chat & Chew: Elderberry Production
This RFN-NJ Chat & Chew will be a round table discussion with Q&A for both experienced and beginning farmers who are interested in growing elderberries.
RFN-NJ Annual Networking Event
SENDING OUT ROOTS: Tapping into Regenerative Agriculture
​Engage in Q&As with fellow farmers on how they tap into the bigger pictures of their farm when making decisions. Discover insights on how they work with their natural environment, communities, and economies and what they've done to overcome challenges.
Soils Field Day
Join the Regenerative Farm Network (RFN-NJ) with NRCS soil scientist, Fred Schoenagel. Farmers will learn some insights on what they can look for in their own soils before making management changes or troubleshooting a field that is not performing optimally.
In the afternoon, we'll enjoy a boxed lunch at the Prallsville Mill followed by a presentation with consultant Sarah Crooke. Sarah will discuss how to collect soil samples and how to interpret soil lab results, followed by a Q&A.
more about the
regenerative farm network
Who can join?
​RFN-NJ is open to all farmers interested in learning about regenerative farm practices for their farms. Currently, content will be tailored towards small- to mid-sized producers in the northern New Jersey counties of Hunterdon, Morris, Mercer, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren. Historically underserved farmers will have priority for technical assistance and mentorship through the program.
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What is a historically underserved farmer?
Historically underserved farmers and ranchers include beginner, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers and ranchers. You can learn more clicking here.
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What is the purpose of the Regenerative Farm Network?
There is a growing need to provide farmers with the technical expertise and tools to build resiliency. Farmers are facing more frequent, intense storms and unpredictable weather. The prices of inputs are sky-rocketing. Implementing regenerative, soil health practices can be a tool to help mitigate those pressures and build farm resilience. The RFN-NJ will assist farmers by providing a network of peers and technical experts to learn from and share knowledge around building farm resilience.
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What will be the role of the Steering Committee and Regional Leadership Training (SC/RLT) participants?
It is important to foster leaders who can serve as a continued resource in New Jersey for farmer-to-farmer learning. A few RFN-NJ members will be selected to receive stipends to support their education and development as part of the Regional Leadership Training Initiative. This will include supporting their attendance at training events and speaker/outreach opportunities. These same members will serve on the RFN-NJ Steering Committee and provide input and guidance on the direction of RFN-NJ.
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How can I join?
Joining is simple. Fill out a short membership form here or contact sloscalzo@northjerseyrcd.org.
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How is RFN funded?
This work is supported by the Conservation Outreach: Equity through Cooperative Agreements grant through USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
RFN-NJ
Steering Committee & Regional Leadership TraininG
It is important that farmers are directly involved in shaping RFN-NJ. Six members of RFN-NJ are selected each year to be part of the Steering Committee to provide guidance and shape RFN-NJ.
To foster leaders who can serve as a continued resource for farmer-to-farmer learning, the Steering Committee members will also be part of the Regional Leadership Training Initiative. The Steering Committee will receive mentorship and training to support their education and development into Regional Leaders for regenerative agriculture as part of the Regional Leadership Training Initiative.
Past Steering Committees
RFN-NJ Updates & News
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?
Contact Sam Loscalzo at sloscalzo@northjerseyrcd.org or
(908) 574-5368