PANTER/BURZICHELLI LAW PROVIDES $6M IN GRANTS TO QUALIFYING NON-PROFITS FOR FARMLAND PRESERVATION

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Michael J. Panter and John J. Burzichelli sponsored to provide $6 million in grants to tax-exempt non-profit organizations for farmland preservation projects in 15 municipalities was ceremoniously signed into law today by Governor   Jon S. Corzine.

The money is to pay for up to 50 percent of the cost of acquisition of development easements on farmland or for up to 50 percent of the cost of acquisition of fee simple titles to farmland for resale or lease with agricultural deed restrictions.  The funds are to be used for a list of pre-approved projects in Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Monmouth, Salem, Sussex and Warren counties.

"In my district and throughout Central New Jersey, New Jersey has been moving at a rapid clip for about 20 years," said Panter (D-Monmouth, Mercer). "These are prudent investments to protect dwindling tracts of farmland and open space.  It's crucial that we safeguard these lands from the bulldozer while these parcels are still available."

"With rising land prices and mounting development pressures, we need to use all available resources - including the non-profit community - to safeguard dwindling farm parcels around the state," said Burzichelli (D-Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland). "These grants will help protect farm families and the cherished rural character of these worthy communities."

Under the measure (A-4262), the $6 million in grant funding for the non-profit land preservation groups will come from the Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund.

New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the country with a reported loss of 50 acres of farmland a day. Proponents say that farmland preservation protects water and soil resources and helps provide an abundance of locally grown farm products.

The allocations and projects listed in the farmland measure were approved earlier this year  by the State Agricultural Development Committee (SADC) and the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT).

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