HILLSBOROUGH TONWSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — State officials visited Abma’s Farm in Hillsborough on Monday, Nov. 9, to highlight how New Jersey’s Agritourism Grant Program is helping agricultural businesses expand educational opportunities and attract visitors.
Representatives from the New Jersey Department of State, Department of Agriculture and Legislative District 16 toured the Somerset County farm, which received a $100,000 grant to construct a 2,000-square-foot, open-air educational pavilion.
The farm was among 71 agricultural businesses awarded funding May 1 through the state’s inaugural Agritourism Grant Program.
The new pavilion will provide a permanent space for agricultural education and community activities, including hands-on learning experiences designed to connect visitors with farming and food production.
In partnership with Somerset County 4-H and Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Abma’s Farm plans to offer educational programs featuring farm tours, planting and harvesting activities, cooking demonstrations, nutrition education and lessons on sustainable agriculture.
“Agritourism plays an important role in New Jersey’s economy. It helps farms grow their businesses while bringing visitors into our communities,” said Assemblyman Roy Freiman. “That’s why I sponsored legislation to support these businesses and help them expand their operations, attract new visitors, and generate additional revenue. Investments in farms like Abma’s help make those opportunities possible and ensure we keep the garden in the Garden State.”
Freiman was a prime sponsor of legislation passed in 2023 establishing the Agritourism Fund, which provides annual funding to support farms, ranches, wineries, breweries, distilleries and other agricultural businesses involved in agritourism.
The program is designed to help agricultural operations diversify their businesses by developing activities that attract, entertain and educate visitors.
“New Jersey agritourism plays a growing role in strengthening our agricultural economy while connecting residents and visitors to the state’s farming community,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn. “The Agritourism Grant Fund provides our farmers the opportunity to expand their operations by adding agritourism activities or expanding the opportunities on their farms. Abma’s Farm is an excellent example of how these investments support both agriculture and community engagement.”
According to state officials, the Agritourism Grant Program received more than 440 applications from all 21 New Jersey counties during its first year.
The applications requested more than $36 million in funding, exceeding the $5 million available through the program.
A total of 71 agricultural businesses across 16 counties were selected to receive grants, with an average award of approximately $70,000.
The funding is administered through the New Jersey Department of State’s Division of Travel and Tourism in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture.
“With 124.2 million visitors generating $51.9 billion in spending and $83.2 billion in total state economic impact, tourism remains a significant driver of New Jersey’s economy,” said New Jersey Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State Shirley U. Emehelu. “The Agritourism Grant Program, offered by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture in partnership with the New Jersey Department of State, further positions our farms, ranches, wineries, and breweries as valued tourism destinations, providing visitors tremendous opportunities to experience the state’s rich agricultural heritage firsthand.”
State officials said the program is intended to help agricultural businesses develop additional revenue opportunities while encouraging residents and tourists to experience New Jersey’s farming communities.
The investment at Abma’s Farm is expected to expand agricultural education and provide more opportunities for community engagement in Somerset County.
A detailed breakdown of the 2026 New Jersey Agritourism Grant Program and its recipients is available through the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
