Law Provides $90.6M to Preserve Farmland

TRENTON – On Aug. 17, Governor Chris Christie signed several measures that keep New Jersey green by providing $90.6 million in grants to counties, towns and nonprofit organizations to preserve farmland across the Garden State and fund State-initiated farmland preservation projects. He also signed A-2342 to further enhance the visibility and accessibility of “Jersey Fresh” produce and “Made with Jersey Fresh” items at food concessions in state agencies.
“Farmland preservation is an investment in our future,” said Governor Christie. “It’s important for our farmers to ensure they have the land they need to operate successful businesses; its vital for our communities that are working hard to retain productive agricultural lands, and it’s critical for future generations to ensure they will be able to benefit from all that agriculture has to offer.
“Everyone loves our Jersey Fresh produce and products, so it’s equally important to have these home-grown products widely accessible and more prominently displayed for everyone to enjoy. That’s why we’re making these items more readily available at food concessions located in our state facilities,” the Governor added.
First Lady Mary Pat Christie, who is committed to raising awareness of Jersey Fresh and Jersey Grown products said, “Jersey Fresh and Jersey Grown promote the Garden State’s rich agricultural industry. More importantly, these products have come to signify the Jersey Pride we all celebrate.”
The farmland preservation legislation (S-2894-S-2897) provides:
•$39 million in grants to16 participating counties to help preserve farmland under the County Planning Incentive Grant Program. Each county is eligible for a $1.5 million base grant. A county that spends down its base grant is eligible to compete for additional monies from a $15 million competitive grant fund while it lasts. The potential maximum grant to any county under this program is $4.5 million;
•$23 million in grants to 43 participating municipalities to preserve farmland under the Municipal Planning Incentive Grant Program. The six towns participating in the program for the first time are eligible for $750,000 each, while the 37 towns that previously qualified for funding are eligible for $500,000 each;
•$19.7 million for the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) to directly preserve farmland; and
•$8.831 million in grants to 8 nonprofit organizations to preserve farmland under the Nonprofit Program – the largest allocation to that program to date.
The SADC administers New Jersey’s Farmland Preservation Program, directly preserving farmland and providing grants to counties, municipalities and nonprofits to assist them in preserving farmland. To date, more than 2,000 farms covering more than 193,000 acres have been preserved statewide under the program.
Sponsors of S-2894 include Senators Whelan and Singer as well as Assemblymembers Riley and Burzichelli. Sponsors of S-2895 include Senators Greenstein and Oroho and Assemblymembers Moriarty, Riley, Burzichelli and Watson-Coleman. Sponsors of S-2896 include Senators Van Drew and Oroho as well as Assemblymembers Wagner, Moriarty, DeAngelo, Benson, Barnes and Diegnan. Sponsors of S-2897 include Senators Whelan and Singer as well as Assemblymembers Albano, Riley, Milam and Burzichelli.
Senator Jeff Van Drew praised the signing of legislation that will dedicate critical funding to farmland preservation efforts in 16 counties across the state, including the counties of Cumberland and Cape May.
“Ensuring that we maintain a strong agricultural industry is critical to our state’s economy,” said Senator Van Drew (D-Cape May/Cumberland/Atlantic). “The funding made available through this legislation will provide local officials with the means to move forward with their efforts to preserve farmland, which ultimately will help to preserve the state’s rich tradition of farming and the jobs that are supported by this very important industry.”
“The signing of this legislation is a victory for the people of New Jersey, who have demonstrated year after year their commitment to our state’s farmland preservation program,” Van Drew added. “With this new round of funding, we will build on our extensive efforts to maintain a robust farming industry that will continue to serve as an economic engine for our state.”
Assembly Democrats Nelson T. Albano and Matthew Milam were also sponsoring the legislation.
“New Jersey may be the most densely populated state, but it’s also home to splendid stretches of nature,” said Albano. “These funds will protect us from overdevelopment, and ensure there will be more farmland and open spaces for future generations to enjoy.”
“Farmland preservation invests in New Jersey’s past and future,” said Milam. “These funds help generations of farmers continue the agricultural tradition in New Jersey, and municipalities balance development with farmland and open space.”
Preservation projects benefiting include several in the 1st legislative district, including:
•$1.5 million grant to Cape May County;
•$1.5 million grant to Cumberland County;
•$750,000 grant to for farmland preservation in Upper Deerfield Township.
In addition, this bill appropriates $3.85 million from the “2009 Farmland Preservation Fund” to the SADC for the following:
•$3.6 million for the organizational, administrative and other work and services, including salaries, equipment, materials and services necessary to administer the applicable provisions of the “Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2009.”
•$200,000 for the review of appraisals for all farmland preservation programs administered by the SADC; and
•$500,000 for purchasing and erecting farmland preservation signs on preserved farmland
Funding for the $23.5 million comes the “Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2009”, and the “Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust.”
The SADC leads in the preservation of New Jersey’s farmland and promotes innovative approach to maintaining the viability of agriculture.