NJ S4353

Establishes the "Urban Gardening Pilot Program" within the Department of Agriculture to provide grants of up to $35,000 each to three municipalities or nonprofit organizations to create urban gardens in low-income areas

Requires grant recipients to demonstrate access to viable urban garden space in a low-income area (census tracts with at least 20% poverty rate or median family income below 80% of statewide/metropolitan median)

Mandates that applicants have a contractual relationship with an agronomist or qualified individual from the New Jersey Cooperative Extension Service to teach residents how to plant and cultivate food

Appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund, with the Department permitted to retain up to 5% for administrative costs

Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within three years evaluating the program's effectiveness in improving neighborhoods and integrating diverse communities, with recommendations on whether to make the program permanent