ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 158

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 15, 2026

      The Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 158.

      As amended by the committee, this bill would require the Department of Agriculture, in consultation and cooperation with the State Agriculture Development Committee, the New Jersey Farm Bureau, the county boards of agriculture, Rutgers the State University, the New Jersey Agricultural Society, and any other appropriate agricultural, horticultural, or educational entities in the State, to develop and implement a beginning farmer mentoring program by which experienced farmers would provide guidance, advice, and other appropriate assistance to beginning farmers so that they and their farms may succeed and thrive.

      The bill also would authorize the department to partner with appropriate public or private organizations or entities to accomplish the purposes of the bill, including entering into agreements or contracts with those organizations or entities to operate the program, in whole or in part, under the general supervision of the department.

This bill is necessary because, according to the latest available data, in New Jersey the average age of the principal operator of a New Jersey farm rose from 54.3 years in 2002 to 58.7 years in 2022.  A similar trend is occurring nationally.  Farming is unlikely to survive in New Jersey if this trend continues.  Thus, it is necessary to create a mentoring program whereby experienced farmers can impart their knowledge to beginning farmers so that they will have a greater chance to succeed, thus ensuring that agriculture will continue to be a major industry in the State, in both the near and distant future.

      Pursuant to the bill, the department would receive a $5 million appropriation for this initiative.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to include a $5 million appropriation from the General Fund to the Department of Agriculture to implement the beginning farmer mentoring program.