About the River-Friendly Farm Program

The River-Friendly Farm program was developed to recognize agricultural producers that voluntarily protect our water resources. Through voluntary programs like River-Friendly Farm, farmers are recognized for implementing best management practices which minimize impacts on the environment, protect water quality, and improve the sustainability and efficiency of the farm itself.

To participate, farms voluntarily send an application to North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council. Once an application is received, a conservation planner schedules a site visit with the landowner or producer. The farm is then evaluated in 5 main areas which are:

Soil Loss Management
Nutrient Management
Pest Management
Riparian Buffers
Irrigation Water Management

To learn more about the certification
criteria visit the Core4 Conservation Website.

Certification Process

Certification is given by the Raritan Watershed Agricultural Committee's (RWAC) River-Friendly Farm Subcommittee. The subcommittee consists of members from the RWAC, NJ Water Supply Authority, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, NJ Farm Bureau, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and Local Soil Conservation Districts. The River-Friendly Certification is attached to the property being certified, not the person. If ownership changes or if the operation changes by 20% or more the operation will need to be reevaluated. If the property does not meet the certification criteria, a conservation planner will work with the farmer and/or landowner to develop and implement a plan to become certified.

Recognition Process

Those who become certified may receive:

Sign for display
Certificate
Announcement in local & statewide newspapers
Recognition at local Board of Agriculture or Soil Conservation District banquets
Future value-added recognition

Currently the River-Friendly Farm Program is offered in Raritan River, Lockatong, and Wickecheoke watersheds in New Jersey.

Farms located in the covered watersheds are encouraged to apply. The areas of South Branch, Spruce Run/Mulhockaway, and Neshanic watersheds are specifically targeted for the River-Friendly Program because the waterways are not meeting water quality standards there. Below are links to maps of these areas:

River-Friendly Farm Area

Map of Target Areas

South Branch Watershed

Spruce Run and Mulhockaway Watersheds

Neshanic Watershed

For the River-Friendly Farm Program Application click here.

To see our program brochure click here.

To see our program factsheet click here.