Farmland Assessment NJ: Qualify Your Land and Stay Qualified
Farmland assessment can lower the property tax on qualifying land in New Jersey. Curated Nature Contractors, based in Hammonton, helps landowners work out whether their land qualifies, build the farm use and records that support an application, and keep their status year after year. We help landowners across South Jersey, from Atlantic and Camden counties to Burlington County.
Check if my land qualifiesWhat it takes to qualify
To qualify, land generally needs at least 5 acres actively devoted to agriculture, horticulture or a woodland management plan for the two years before the tax year, plus minimum annual sales. The application, Form FA-1, is due to your municipal tax assessor by August 1 of the year before the tax year. You sign and file it. We help you assemble it.
Starting from scratch? The land needs active use in the two years before the tax year. For example, a farm use that starts in spring 2027 can support an FA-1 filed by August 1, 2028 for tax year 2029. Land already farmed for the past two years may qualify at the next August 1 filing.
Minimum sales are at least $1,000 a year for the first 5 acres plus $5 for each acre over 5. Woodland under a woodland management plan needs at least $500 a year plus 50 cents for each acre over 5.
What we handle
- Eligibility review of your property, acreage and current use
- A realistic farm use for your land: orchards, berries, hay, pasture, nursery, or leasing to a working farmer
- Planting and setup through Curated Nature Contractors
- Sales records that support your application
- Help assembling your FA-1 for you to sign and file, plus renewal reminders before August 1
Why landowners work with us
We are farmers first and have been through the process on our own land. You get one point of contact, and our crews can do the field work your plan calls for. If your land is wooded, farmland assessment can also run through a woodland management plan, prepared by an independent NJ Approved Forester we coordinate with. See woodland management plans in NJ.
Frequently asked questions
How long before I can apply?
Land must be actively devoted to farm or woodland use for the two years before the tax year. You file the FA-1 by August 1 of the second of those years, so a new farm use can support an application in its second season.
When is the FA-1 due?
Form FA-1 is due to your municipal tax assessor by August 1 of the year before the tax year. We send renewal reminders before that date.
What happens if I stop farming the land?
If the land stops qualifying, it loses farmland assessment going forward. If it changes to a non-farm use, roll-back taxes can apply for the year of the change and the two years before it. We help you plan so that does not happen by surprise.
How much do I need to sell?
At least $1,000 a year in agricultural or horticultural sales for the first 5 acres, plus $5 for each acre over 5. For woodland under a woodland management plan, at least $500 a year plus 50 cents for each acre over 5.
Do I have to farm it myself?
Not necessarily. One option we look at is leasing your land to a working farmer.
Related services
- Woodland management plans in NJ for wooded land
- Farm conservation plans in NJ for the plans behind your records
- Farmland preservation in NJ for protecting your farm for good
Grown right, the way nature intended.