This bill establishes the Farmer Supply Link Program in New Jersey, aimed at supporting farmers by providing access to discounted bulk agricultural supplies. The program will be administered by county agricultural development boards and will allow these boards to enter into contracts with agricultural product aggregators to purchase supplies such as equipment, seeds, and fertilizers at reduced rates. The initiative is designed to help mitigate the costs associated with starting and managing a farm business, thereby enhancing the resilience of the agricultural industry in the state.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the boards in developing rules, fee schedules, and guidelines for the distribution of supplies, ensuring that fees are reasonable and adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Any excess revenue generated from the program will be credited to the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund. The bill also allows boards to prioritize new and beginning farmers or those with financial need in their procurement processes. In the first year of participation, boards can request grants from the State Agricultural Development Committee, which will establish eligibility criteria for funding. Subsequent contracts will be funded through fees collected from the program.