Urban Farming in Crisis or Comeback? New Jersey’s $25M Plan Sparks Hope and Controversy

Trenton, NJ – August 4, 2025
What’s threatening the future of urban farming in New Jersey—and why are lawmakers rushing to stop it before it’s too late?

In the heart of New Jersey’s cities, where concrete dominates and fresh produce is often hard to come by, a quiet revolution has been growing—urban agriculture. But now, these green lifelines face a serious challenge. Limited land, high prices, and outdated policies have made it nearly impossible for city-based farmers to survive. That’s why lawmakers are pushing a bold new plan to rescue this essential movement before it fades away.

A powerful bill—S4350—is working its way through the New Jersey Senate. And it’s not just any proposal. It aims to transform how the state treats urban farming, finally offering real support to those growing food in tight city spaces. Supporters say the bill could turn the tide for countless small-scale farmers who’ve long been left out of agricultural policy.

The Silent Struggle of City Farmers

For years, urban farmers across New Jersey have battled to grow food in some of the most expensive and regulated environments in the country. Unlike cities like Detroit—where empty lots have become thriving farms—New Jersey’s sky-high land costs and tough zoning laws have forced many would-be growers to give up before they even begin.

And while the state has poured resources into supporting large rural farms (those over five acres), city-based growers—often working with just a fraction of that—have been excluded from critical protections and funding.

The Bill That Could Change Everything

Bill S4350, championed by Senate President Pro Tempore Shirley K. Turner, seeks to flip the script. The proposed legislation would allow the Garden State Preservation Trust to purchase and preserve small urban parcels specifically for agricultural and horticultural use. In other words, it would create dedicated green spaces in cities, legally protected for farming.

But that’s not all. The bill would also create the Urban Agriculture and Horticulture Fund, starting with a $25 million boost. Each year, it would receive 5% of the state’s Corporate Business Tax preservation funds—money that would be locked in constitutionally, safe from political games.

Additionally, urban farmers would be able to apply for stewardship grants covering up to 90% of costs for environmental improvements, like soil treatment, green infrastructure, and climate resilience upgrades.

It’s Not a Threat—It’s an Expansion

Critics have asked whether this bill takes away from traditional agriculture. But the numbers show otherwise. Over the past decade, New Jersey’s State Agricultural Development Committee (SADC) hasn’t used even 25% of its allocated preservation funds. S4350 simply redirects a small portion of underused money toward urban farming without reducing total support for rural agriculture.

In fact, this expansion means agriculture in New Jersey could finally reflect its diverse geography—reaching deep into the heart of cities where it’s needed most.

A Race Against Time

Urban farming is more than just planting seeds in city lots. It’s about creating access to fresh food in underserved neighborhoods, building greener environments, reducing pollution, and offering agricultural education where it’s rarely found.

If Bill S4350 fails, those opportunities could disappear. But if it passes, New Jersey could become a national leader in urban agriculture—supporting not just farms, but healthier, more sustainable cities.

Now, supporters are calling on residents, mayors, and local councils to speak up before it’s too late.

“This isn’t just a policy decision,” says a spokesperson from the New Jersey Food Democracy Collaborative. “It’s a fight for the future of food justice in our cities.”

Will New Jersey let its urban farms wither in silence—or finally give them the support they’ve always deserved?

Source: State Agricultural Development Committee (SADC) Records