New Jersey Celebrates Landmark Achievement: Over 250,000 Acres of Farmland Preserved
New Jersey has reached a significant milestone in its commitment to farmland preservation. Governor Phil Murphy and Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Joe Atchison recently announced that the state has successfully preserved over 250,000 acres of farmland through its Farmland Preservation Program. This achievement, commemorated on the historic Mecouch Family Farm in Quinton, Salem County, highlights the crucial role of protecting agricultural land for the continued success of the farming industry and the preservation of the state’s natural beauty.
Governor Murphy emphasized the direct connection between farmland preservation and various key initiatives, including increased food security, climate resiliency, and the protection of water resources. By safeguarding these agricultural lands, New Jersey can ensure the preservation of its garden identity. Governor Murphy expressed his gratitude to the Mecouch family for contributing to this remarkable milestone and expressed his hopes of protecting another 250,000 acres of farmland in the future.
The Farmland Preservation Program in New Jersey was established forty years ago with the signing of the Agriculture Retention and Development Act. This legislation laid the foundation for the implementation of the program, which has seen tremendous success thanks to the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including state and local government, nonprofit organizations, farmland owners, and the agricultural community. The program has proven to be a model for the nation.
The preservation of the 134-acre Mecouch Family Farm, located in Quinton, Salem County, marked the program’s 2,847th farm preservation and pushed the total preserved acreage over the 250,000 mark. Rose Mecouch, the owner of the farm along with her husband Cliff, expressed their commitment to preserving farmland and preventing overdevelopment. They hope to ensure that future generations, including their grandchildren, understand the value and benefits of locally grown food.
Susan Payne, the Executive Director of the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), which administers the program, praised the farmland owners who choose to preserve their land, leaving behind a lasting conservation legacy. Payne also highlighted the efforts of the thousands of farmers who cultivate these lands, providing New Jersey residents with access to fresh, locally grown food and farm products. The SADC is dedicated to supporting the economic viability and environmental sustainability of all New Jersey farms, both now and in the future.
With over one-third of New Jersey’s total farmland now preserved under the program, the state is halfway towards its goal of permanently preserving at least 500,000 acres of farmland. The SADC preserves farmland by working directly with landowners and providing grant funding to counties, municipalities, and nonprofit entities in alignment with local agricultural and farmland preservation plans. Furthermore, the program offers grants to owners and operators of preserved farmland for soil and water conservation projects, including irrigation, erosion control, manure facilities, and the construction of deer fencing.
For more information about New Jersey’s farmland preservation program and the State Agriculture Development Committee, visit their website at https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/sadc/.
