Are we preserving the right land? Recommendations to improve New Jersey farmland preservation

The rapid loss of farmland to development across New Jersey deserves increased attention, and with limited funding devoted to preservation, those lands that gain preserved status should do so through a systematic process, meeting a set of refined criteria. This project consists of an examination of the farmland preservation programs, as well as the criteria used to rank applications for farmland preservation in two counties, Gloucester and Salem in southern New Jersey. Further examination of five municipalities within these two counties will generate recommendations to the individual municipalities, the counties and even to the state farmland preservation programs in order to enhance these programs. If adopted, these recommendations will contribute to increases in the amount of farmland protected and greater focus on preserving viable networks of farms with prime agricultural soils.