The River Friendly Farm Program is a free, voluntary and self-paced program promotes environmentally friendly farming practices through the recognition of farmers that, through good management, help to protect water resources.
The Foodshed Alliance, through our Paulins Kill Watershed initiative, is partnering with North Jersey RC&D to bring the River Friendly Farm program to northern New Jersey. To participate, farms voluntarily apply for certification. Once an application has been received, a conservation planner schedules a site visit with the land owner 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
Program goals
- To publicly recognize and reward farmers who do an outstanding job of managing their farms in an economically and environmentally sound way that protects and improves water resources
- Publicize and promote agricultural best management practices that help improve water quality while maintaining and improving agricultural viability of New Jersey farms
- Increase public awareness of farmers’ voluntary contributions to resource protection
- Create new partnerships to begin future regional implementation of the River-Friendly Farm Program
Benefits of becoming a River Friendly Farm
- Provides public recognition for implementing and maintaining stewardship practices
- Creates an avenue for increased marketing strategies with River-Friendly Farm Label
- Improve water quality in streams while maintaining productive farmland
- Promotes more efficient use of fertilizers and pesticides
- Provides a healthier soil structure
For more information on River Friendly Farm Certification, please contact Christine Dunbar at the Foodshed Alliance.
