(TRENTON) – The Department of Agriculture
is now accepting applications for its Deer Fencing
Program. The documents are available via the links
below. The packet includes:
Memo
to Applicant
Deer
Fence Eligibility Criteria
Deer
Fence Application
Deer
Fence Fact Sheet
New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Charles M. Kuperus today announced $300,000
in funding is available for the deer fencing program that will be run
cooperatively with the Department of Environmental Protection’s
Division of Fish and Wildlife and Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
The cost-share program, in which the farmer would bear part of the cost
and the responsibility for installation, will provide fencing material,
plus up to 30 percent of the line posts at no cost to qualified farmers.
“Whether it is our Jersey Fresh marketing program, or cost-share initiatives
to help farmers conserve natural resources, we are always looking for ways to
partner with the agricultural community and thereby help farms stay viable and
vital,” said Secretary Kuperus. “Deer fencing has proven effective
in keeping the deer at bay and is a good investment assisting farmers who otherwise
would not be able to build fencing around their property.”
The DEP operated a deer-fencing program in the 1990’s. It was so
popular, the DEP experienced a backlog. The Department of Agriculture
utilized grant money to dissipate the backlog. However, that funding
source dried up and the deer-fencing program was discontinued.
A Rutgers Cooperative Extension survey of farmers who participated in
the 1998 deer fencing program indicated that almost 70 percent of wildlife
crop loss is attributable to deer. The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment
Station estimates the economic loss to farmers to be between $5 million
and $10 million annually.
Secretary Kuperus was joined for the announcement by Martin McHugh, Director
of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and Jack Rabin, Associate Director/Farm
Services, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, who agreed the deer problem
is increasing.
"The Department of Environmental Protection has a long history of working
with the Department of Agriculture and the agricultural community to responsibly
manage the New Jersey deer herd," said Director McHugh. "Managing the
deer population minimizes economic loss to farmers while providing recreational
and economic benefits to the citizens of our state. The deer fencing program
exemplifies the successful partnership forged between both departments."
“The nature of how the state has been developing has left farmers with
no way to manage the deer herd on their own,” said Rabin. “The state
needs to help provide a remedy.”
Also attending the announcement were Assemblymen Jeff Van Drew and Douglas
Fisher, who advocated for the renewed fencing funding in the Legislature.
"We can't forget our farmers--they need our support,” said Assemblyman
Van Drew. “In order to keep open space and farms, we need to help our farmers
where and when we can. This is a competitive industry that relies on supplies
such as deer fencing.”
“This kind of program helps farmers continue on their land by making sure
their crops avoid damage by wildlife,” said Assemblyman Fisher. “When
we keep working farms working, we increase the state’s prospects for maintaining
farms as green space.”
The NJDA is providing $250,000 in new funding allocated in the Fiscal
Year 2005 state budget for the program. The DEP is contributing $50,000
to the program.
To participate in the program, farmers must meet these eligibility criteria:
· Be a New Jersey farmer having documented proof of a minimum of $40,000
in sales of agricultural commodities produced by the applicant on a New Jersey
farm
· Be a New Jersey certified organic farmer having documented proof of
a minimum of $20,000 in sales of agricultural commodities produced by the applicant
on a New Jersey farm
· Be the owner of the land or have documented proof of renting preserved
farmland or farmland that is enrolled in an Eight-Year Farmland Preservation
Program
· Complete a mandatory deer fence installation workshop sponsored by the
NJDA, NJDEP, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Farmers receiving help with fencing will be required to use the material
solely for the purpose of keeping deer off their land and are prohibited
from using the fence to contain equine, livestock, poultry, or other
animals. Any unused fence will have to be returned to NJDA and cannot
be sold.
Applications also will be available through the NJDA, county extension
offices and the following Fish & Wildlife field offices:
- Clinton WMA, 7 Van Syckles Road, Hampton
- Assumpink WMA, 386 Clarksburg-Robbinsville Road, Robbinsville
- Southern Regional Office, 220 New Brooklyn-Blue Anchor Road, Sicklerville
- Pequest Natural Resource Education Center, 605 Pequest Road, Oxford
Farmers also can call the NJDA at (609) 292-5532 for more information. |
