Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Sean Kean and Senator Joe Kyrillos today announced that they are forming an informal “working group” to advise them how to improve the State’s Farmland Assessment Act in an effort to strengthen the program and make it less prone to abuse.           

Noting that serious concerns have been raised about weaknesses in the current law, the legislators emphasized the importance of the program which benefits farmers. Beck, R-Monmouth and Mercer, Kean, R-Monmouth, and Kyrillos, R-Monmouth and Middlesex, all advocates of open space preservation, said further study of the program is necessary to root out abuses.           

“The Farmland Assessment Act not only permits the state’s farmers to continue farming without being pushed into bankruptcy by property tax burdens that would otherwise make their livelihood impossible, but it protects open space as well,” said Kean, who added that farmland assessed acres provide positive ratables for municipalities which results in savings to taxpayers.           

The lawmakers said the group, which will be comprised of farmers, environmentalists, taxpayer advocates and members of the general public, will examine at least two areas that need reform – raising the $500 minimum income threshold and increasing penalties for landowners who are not truly farming their property.           

“No doubt this is an invaluable program that has been beneficial for all residents, however, recent issues have been raised which seriously call into question the 40-year-old $500 threshold,” said Beck. “Obviously, this is far too low of an income threshold because it’s no longer an appropriate measure as to whether someone is honestly farming their land.

“We also need to explore whether the law should be strengthened to make sure land receiving special tax breaks is preserved for future generations, rather than just for the current occupants who may ultimately sell the property to a developers,” added Beck.            

Kean said that in light of the New Jersey’s fiscal woes it is necessary to give such proposals very serious consideration. 

“We need to closely examine this program to ensure people are utilizing it as it was intended.  We encourage anyone who is interested in this issue to contact us with your ideas,” Kean concluded.

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