Wednesday, November 24, 2004

County to Acquire Five More Farms for Preservation

The Atlantic County Board of Freeholders has approved agreements to acquire the development rights for five Atlantic County farms, representing nearly 700 acres designated for preservation through the state Farmland Preservation Program. This announcement follows last week's agreement to acquire 1,448 acres of Atlantic Blueberry Company in Hamilton Township.

Farms that are preserved through the Farmland Preservation Program are forever protected for agriculture use. Participating landowners agree to sell their development rights but maintain ownership and the ability to continue farming.

The five farms approved for acquisition include: Columbia Properties in Mullica Township and Hammonton, 38.8 acres; County Line Blueberry in Hammonton, 120.03 acres; Variety Farms, Inc. in Mullica Township, 413.59 acres; the Berenato property in Hammonton, 62.06 acres; and the Indian Brand Farms in Hammonton, 63.81 acres.

The Farmland Preservation Program is administered by the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) which provides the county with grants to fund 70 to 75 percent of the costs of purchasing development rights on approved farms. The remaining costs are funded through the Atlantic County Open Space Trust Fund. The SADC certifies development values for each farm based on independent appraisals conducted by two licensed appraisers and a review by a SADC staff appraiser.

"Acquiring farmland and open space is critical to our livelihood and our quality of life," noted County Executive Dennis Levinson. "It provides our communities with a buffer from expanding development and it helps to ensure our state's agricultural heritage."

Levinson directed the county to begin earmarking monies for the purchase of farmland easements four years ago. In August 2003, county officials began surveying landowners to explain the Farmland Preservation Program and to solicit interest from potential participants. Seventeen Atlantic County farms totaling nearly 3,000 acres are eligible for participation in the current round of funding for farms located in the Pinelands. To date, Atlantic Blueberry Company is the largest farm in the state to enter the program.

"We are pleased to preserve these farms knowing that they will be available for the enjoyment of our children and grandchildren," Levinson concluded.

The county expects to settle on these properties early next year.

For more information, please contact Howard J. Kyle, Chief of Staff, at (609) 343-2223.

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