Establishes Protective Cropping Board in Department of Agriculture.

A5138

ASSEMBLY, No. 5138

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MAY 28, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman� ALEX SAUICKIE

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)

SYNOPSIS

���� Establishes Protective Cropping Board in Department
of Agriculture.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act
concerning protective cropping and supplementing Title
4 of the Revised Statutes.

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.� As used in this act:

���� �Board� means the �Protective
Cropping Board� established pursuant to section 2 of this act.

���� �Department� means the
Department of Agriculture.

���� �Protective cropping� means
the modification of growing conditions for crops.� �Protective cropping�
includes, but is not limited to, vertical farming and the practice of growing
crops within, under, or sheltered by artificial structures for the purpose of
protecting the crops from pests, disease, or adverse weather.

���� �Secretary� means the
Secretary of Agriculture.

���� �Vertical farming� means the
practice of growing crops within an artificial structure, in horizontally and
vertically stacked layers, using artificial growing systems including, but not
limited to, hydroponics or aquaponics.

���� 2.� a.� (1)���� There is
established in the Department of Agriculture the �Protective Cropping Board.�

���� (2)� The board shall consist
of five members, appointed by the secretary.� Members of the board shall serve
at the pleasure of the secretary.

���� (3)� Members of the board
shall be appointed within 30 days after the effective date of this act.

���� (4)� The department shall
provide primary staff support to the commission.

���� b.��� The duties of the board
shall be to:

���� (1)�� research and investigate
the practice of protective cropping and how it may be implemented in the State;

���� (2)�� develop and recommend to
the department policy for the promotion of protective cropping in the State;
and

���� (3) conduct such other
activities relating to protective cropping as the secretary determines
necessary.

���� c.���� The secretary shall
ensure that the department executes the recommendations of the board.

���� 3.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill establishes the
�Protective Cropping Board� in the Department of Agriculture.� The bill defines
�protective cropping� to mean the modification of growing conditions for
crops.� Under the bill, �protective cropping� includes, but is not limited to,
the practice of vertical farming as well as growing crops within, under, or
sheltered by artificial structures for the purpose of protecting the crops from
pests, disease, or adverse weather.

���� There are a number of benefits
to the practice of protective cropping, including:

���� (1)�� year-round production�by
controlling temperature and light, growers can produce fruits, vegetables, and
flowers regardless of the natural season;

���� (2)�� climate resilience�structures
protect crops from extreme weather events like heavy rainfall, frost, and harsh
winds, which are becoming increasingly common due to climate change;

���� (3)�� enhanced yield and
quality�controlled environments often lead to higher productivity per unit of
area and more consistent produce quality in terms of size, firmness, and
flavor;

���� (4)�� reduced chemical use�enclosed
environments act as a physical barrier against pests and diseases, minimizing
the need for chemical pesticides;

���� (5)�� resource efficiency�these
systems often utilize advanced irrigation and "quad-generation"
(simultaneous production of heat, cooling, electricity, and captured carbon
dioxide) to maximize energy and water efficiency; and

���� (6)�� disease-free transplants�the
controlled setting is ideal for producing healthy, uniform, and disease-free
plant material for further cultivation.

���� The bill stipulates that the
board is to consist of five members, appointed by, and serving at the pleasure
of, the Secretary of Agriculture.

���� The board is required to:

���� (1)�� research and investigate
the practice of protective cropping and how it may be implemented in the State;

���� (2)�� develop and recommend to
the department policy for the promotion of protective cropping in the State;
and

���� (3) conduct such other
activities relating to protective cropping as the secretary determines
necessary.