New Jersey Department of Agriculture

06/19/2026

Today, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture recognizes this historic day, Juneteenth, and reaffirms our commitment to supporting equity, opportunity, and growth across all of New Jersey’s communities.

06/19/2026

NJDA’s Animal Emergency Working Group (AWEG) is looking for volunteers who can assist with livestock transportation during emergencies like wildfires, floods, or other extreme weather events.

Building a network of available transporters is an important part of emergency preparedness and can help ensure animals are moved safely when needed.

If you are willing to assist, please complete the survey here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=0cN2UAI4n0uzauCkG9ZCp_oZvK9VYRdKuvTKQKFPaiJUM00wMkFOMzMzTDVLUFQ4T0I1NEdSTkxRTS4u&origin=lprLink&route=shorturl

06/18/2026

(Editor’s note: Ed Wengryn is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.) New Jersey’s nickname, the “Garden State,” is somewhat puzzling to people who’ve never been here, but have seen images of our industrial regions, or who have heard we are the most densely populated of the 50 states. Th...

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

USDA Department of Seafood, USDA Rural Development, USDA Farm Service Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Service and New Jersey Department of Agriculture invite you to join us for a Seafood Industry Listening Call focused on gathering perspectives from New Jersey’s local seafood sector. Your insights are essential in helping us understand the current landscape and identify ways federal and state partners can better support this important industry.

The discussion will center on:

• Challenges facing New Jersey’s seafood industry

• Opportunities for growth and innovation

• Industry support needs

Feedback collected during this session will directly inform interagency coordination and guide future strategic planning efforts.

📅Date: 6/30

⏱️Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm

🔗Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3Q4GCVS

We hope you can join us and share your valuable input. Please RSVP by 6/28. Once you are register, you will receive the meeting link.

06/15/2026

This weekend, Secretary Wengryn presented the proclamation at the West Windsor Farmers Market; one of the leading community farmers markets in the state in the promotion of Local Value-added Dairy products and Artesian Cheese Makers.

Chris Cirkus (manager) and Stacey Kennedy (assistant manager) of the market stressed the foresight of the West Windsor Board of Directors for supporting the work with the Guild and the dairy producers, farm processors and Artesian Cheese Makers that are members of the Milk and Cheese Guild.

📸 market managers and the board of the Market
📸Guild along with the market management.

06/12/2026

See list of nj county ag fair dates 🎡

☀️🎡 Summer is right around the corner—and so is County Fair Season!

From livestock shows and 4-H exhibits to tractor pulls, local food, live entertainment, and family fun, New Jersey's agricultural fairs are a great way to experience the people, traditions, and communities that make our state's agricultural industry so special.

We've put together our 2026 County Agricultural Fair Guide to help you plan your summer adventures across the Garden State.

📅 Check out the dates below and find a fair near you!

⚠️ Fair schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check with each fair directly for the latest dates, times, and event information before attending.

06/12/2026

2026 is the International Year of the Woman Farmer! The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is proud to highlight women farmers across New Jersey who play an impactful role and continue to shape agriculture in the Garden State.

This spotlight features Brooke Potter Levens of Brookside Legacy Farm, in Cream Ridge, New Jersey. This spotlight was submitted on Brooke’s behalf.

🐄What type of farming operation for you run?
Livestock

🐄How many years have you been farming?
Lifelong

🐄Briefly describe your farm operation.
I’m submitting on Brooke’s behalf but she has less than 100 head of cattle and other stock. She breeds goats and sheep, and has ample show stock for the local 4-Hers. They also have grown hay in the past and used to be located in Middletown, where they also sold farm equipment and products.

🐄What inspired you to become a farmer?
I’m submitting on Brooke’s behalf but I am sure it was her grandfather. He was a farmer and so was his dad before him. Mr. Potter was an inspiration to everyone he worked with and helped Brooke achieve her dreams, like her own farm.

🐄What advice would you give to other women considering a career in agriculture?
I would love to hear Brooke’s opinion, but I think she’ll say to never give up. No matter how hard it gets just keep working towards your dreams!

📲 Follow Brooke

Interested in being highlighted or know a woman farmer? Submit a spotlight using this form https://forms.gle/dEVMgwhBm2FAjWN26

06/10/2026

The requested disaster declaration regarding Freeze from April 19, 2026, through April 22, 2026, has been approved by USDA.

All 21 counties in New Jersey, seventeen (17) primary and four (4) contiguous, are covered by this designation.

A Secretarial Disaster Designation makes farm operators in primary and contiguous counties eligible to be considered for FSA emergency loans and disaster set aside, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in all counties have until February 8, 2027, to apply for emergency loan assistance. The attached Emergency Loan Fact Sheet provides further information on how producers may apply for this assistance with local FSA Offices.

Please share this information with your ag communities to assist in reaching the impacted farms.