Assemblyman Alex Sauickie’s bill lowering expenses for New Jersey farmers by increasing access to less costly agricultural supplies through regional bulk purchasing programs was cleared by an Assembly committee on Monday. 

The bill (A4029), based on recommendations in a 2025 state report, would help farmers, especially beginning farmers who may have less capital, pool their resources to purchase the supplies they need at a lower cost. County agriculture development boards would manage each “Farmer Supply Link Program.” 

“The high cost of living in New Jersey is threatening the livelihoods of farmers, who have fewer financing options than business owners in other industries. The price of equipment, fertilizer, fuel and labor keeps increasing and creating major barriers for beginning farmers,” Sauickie (R-Ocean) explained. “A supply link program would serve area farmers, allowing them to stretch funds further by lowering costs and establishing a reliable local supply source, which would free up time to focus on farming.” 

County agriculture boards would work with businesses that consolidate and distribute produce from multiple farms to purchase discounted bulk supplies, including equipment, compost, fertilizer, fuel, seeds, livestock and more, to sell to farmers. Boards could prioritize participation in the program for new and beginning farmers, or farmers with demonstrated financial need. 

“In order to ensure the long-term viability of the program, it would be self-sustaining,” Sauickie said. “Farmers could count on the program to help them meet their financial goals, which would go a long way toward protecting the future of farming in New Jersey.”

After deducting the fees to run the program, county agriculture boards would deposit the excess revenue collected from supply sales in an account that would then fund grants for the boards.