The County Agriculture Equipment Leasing Act authorizes county agriculture development boards in New Jersey to acquire agricultural equipment and lease it to new and beginning farmers. The boards can obtain equipment through various means, including purchase, long-term lease, donation, or shared-use agreements, and may create incentive programs with established farmers to facilitate leasing privately owned equipment. The leasing terms are flexible and can include payment schedules, maintenance obligations, and insurance requirements. The act emphasizes prioritizing leases that support new or financially vulnerable farmers, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and improve access to equipment that is otherwise too expensive for individual farmers.

Additionally, the bill allows the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), to create programs and incentives such as tax credits and liability protections to encourage established farmers to make equipment available for leasing. The SADC is also empowered to provide grants or financial assistance to support the acquisition and leasing of agricultural equipment. Participating boards are required to maintain records of lease agreements, publish program procedures, and report annually to the SADC on their activities. This initiative aims to enhance access to necessary agricultural equipment for new farmers, thereby promoting farm viability and ensuring the sustainability of agriculture in New Jersey.