New Jersey Farmland Preservation Program

The State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) administers the New Jersey Farmland Preservation Program, providing grants to counties, municipalities, and nonprofit groups to fund the purchase of development easements on farmland; directly purchasing farms and development easements from landowners; and offering grants to landowners in the program to fund up to 50 percent of the cost of soil and water conservation projects. It also administers the Right to Farm Program, oversees the Transfer of Development Rights Bank, and operates the Farm Link Program, which helps connect farm owners with farmers seeking access to farmland and farming opportunities.

The SADC consists of 11 members – six citizens appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, and five ex-officio members. Four of the citizen members must be actively engaged in farming, and the other two represent the general public.