Farmland Preservation NJ: Protect Your Farm and Keep Farming It
Preservation means selling the development rights to your farm while you keep owning and farming it. The land stays private property, protected for agriculture permanently. Curated Nature Contractors, based in Hammonton, helps landowners figure out whether preservation fits and get organized for the process. We work with farm owners across South Jersey and New Jersey.
Check if my land qualifiesHow preservation works in New Jersey
In New Jersey this runs through the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), County Agriculture Development Boards, municipalities and nonprofit partners. Two independent appraisals set the value, and the SADC certifies it. Farms in certain Pinelands management areas may be valued with a Pinelands formula instead. Preserved farms also need a farm conservation plan.
Our owner serves on the Atlantic County Agriculture Development Board. We do not prepare, submit or coordinate farmland or woodland preservation applications for land in Atlantic County. We also do not prepare SADC Soil and Water Conservation grant applications for Atlantic County farms. For Atlantic County land, we can help with conservation plans, farmland assessment and field work.
What we handle
- A first look at whether your farm fits preservation and which path makes sense
- The application package and supporting farm records
- Organizing records and deadlines through appraisal, survey and closing
- Help getting the required farm conservation plan in place
One point of contact
Preservation involves a soil district, a surveyor, the county and the tax assessor. We help you organize the pieces and keep track of them. Surveying, legal and tax work are handled by licensed professionals.
Frequently asked questions
Does preservation open my land to the public?
No. A preserved farm stays private property. You keep owning and farming it, and you can sell it, with the development restrictions staying on the deed.
How is the price set?
Two independent appraisals estimate the land's value before and after preservation, and the SADC certifies the easement value from them.
Do you work on preservation in Atlantic County?
Our owner serves on the Atlantic County Agriculture Development Board. We do not prepare, submit or coordinate farmland or woodland preservation applications for land in Atlantic County. We also do not prepare SADC Soil and Water Conservation grant applications for Atlantic County farms. For Atlantic County land, we can help with conservation plans, farmland assessment and field work.
Is my farm in the Pinelands treated differently?
Farms in certain Pinelands management areas may be valued with a Pinelands formula instead of the standard appraisal approach. Tell us where your farm is and we will lay out how the process applies.
Related services
- Farm conservation plans in NJ for the plan every preserved farm needs
- Farmland assessment in NJ for keeping your farm qualified
- NJ woodland preservation program if your land is wooded
Grown right, the way nature intended.