NJ A6090

County agriculture development boards may acquire agricultural equipment through purchase, long-term lease, donation, or shared-use agreements to lease to farmers, with priority given to new, beginning, or financially vulnerable farmers

Equipment covered includes tractors, tillage equipment, planters, harvesters, balers, irrigation systems, drones, and post-harvest processing equipment

Boards must publish lease procedures on their websites, maintain records of all agreements, and submit annual reports to the State Agriculture Development Committee detailing lease numbers, equipment types, and program revenues

The Department of Agriculture may establish incentive programs including tax credits, liability protections, and cost-share arrangements to encourage established farmers and equipment owners to participate

The State Agriculture Development Committee may provide grants to county boards for equipment acquisition, storage, maintenance, transportation, insurance, and administrative costs