Two bills sponsored by Senator Michael Testa that allocate more than $86 million for farmland preservation are now awaiting the governor’s signature.
“New Jersey’s farming heritage is not just a cornerstone of our economy, it’s a way of life,” said Sen. Testa. “By dedicating this money to preserve our precious farmland, we’re supporting generational family farms, protecting our open spaces, and ensuring that we keep the Garden State, the Garden State.”
The first bill, S-4524, proposes an appropriation of $34 million from constitutionally dedicated Corporate Business Tax (CBT) revenues to the State Agriculture Development Committee. These funds are intended for county planning incentive grants focused on preserving farmland.
The second bill, S-4531, would appropriate $52.8 million from both constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and other existing farmland preservation funds to the same committee for similar purposes.
Both pieces of legislation aim to support New Jersey’s agricultural sector by providing resources for land conservation and farm sustainability.
