The New Jersey Senate voted in favor of Senator Jean Stanfield’s legislation that would help preserve more farmland in New Jersey.
Sen. Jean Stanfield’s bill that would help preserve more farmland in New Jersey was passed by the New Jersey Senate. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Today’s Senate vote moves us one step closer to preserving more of our farmland for future generations,” said Stanfield (R-8). “Our rich agricultural history extends multiple centuries and is what makes us the Garden State. This legislation would revise the farmland appraisal process to make it more reasonable and incentivize more people to participate in the Farmland Preservation Program.”
The State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) is currently responsible for administering the Farmland Preservation Fund and certifying appraisers to determine the value of development easements. There is approximately 750,000 acres of farmland located in New Jersey, but only 248,000 acres are preserved through the Farmland Preservation Program.
Under Senator Stanfield’s bill A-4729/S-3279:
- Existing law would be amended to establish a more reasonable appraisal formula, known as the “Statewide Farmland Preservation Formula.”
- Additional factors would be considered when determining the value of farmland for preservation purposes, including, the value of farmland and natural resources in nearby towns and counties, the proximity of the farmland to other protected areas and nonagricultural areas, the overall importance of preserving the land under review, the rate of inflation, and more.
- The new formula would be used in addition to the standard appraisal process and the higher of the two appraised values would be used as the basis for negotiating with the landowner.
- Appraisals of farmland located in the Pinelands would be required to consider the rate of inflation when determining the value of development easements. The bill would not change the appraisal process for farmland located in the Highlands.
“Locally grown food sources are a key economic driver for New Jersey and a valuable resource for the nation’s food supply,” Stanfield added. “Revising the appraisal process could improve compensation for landowners to protect vulnerable areas from urban sprawl and non-agricultural development.”
You can read the full version of the bill online.
To speak with Senator Stanfield about this bill or for additional background, please contact Chris Sivel, SRO Deputy Director of Communications at [email protected].