The Somerset County Farmland Preservation Program was established in 1983, as a result of the passing of the New Jersey Agriculture Retention and Development Act (ARDA). This Act established the State Agriculture Development Committee, as well as all County Agriculture Development Boards, who were tasked with identifying land appropriate for farmland preservation, administering the Right-to-Farm Act, and making determinations on post-preservation and stewardship matters.

In 2022, the Somerset County Agriculture Development Board updated its 2008 Master Plan, entitled The Somerset County Farmland Preservation Plan. This plan identifies methodology used to identify Candidate Farms, funding mechanisms, Right-to-Farm responsibilities and policies, and much more.

During the 2023 Influencing Agriculture event, the County was reminded that the days of large 200-acre farms are behind us. The Somerset County Board of County Commissioners charged the Farmland Preservation Program to develop a more inclusive program. From that challenge was born the County-Direct Easement Program, designed to preserve farms that may not fit the State program but are vital to our local foodshed and economy.

The following links offer information on the Somerset County Farmland Preservation Program, and provide links to the applications and attachments for preservation applications:

Farmland Preservation Program Background

Baron Farm History - First Preserved Farm 

SADC - County PIG Application

County Direct Easement Application  - Ideal for properties under 10 acres

Non-Agricultural Uses

Exception Areas

Sample Deed of Easement

Farmland Preservation FAQs

SADC County PIG Page

SADC's Policies Page

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