The Burlington County Commissioners marked the 40th anniversary of farmland preservation on Friday, announcing plans to protect an additional 478 acres. Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel and Commissioner Randy Brolo were joined at the ceremony by New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Edward Wengryn, State Agriculture Development Committee Director Charles “Chuck” Roohr, Assemblywoman Andrea Katz, Assemblyman Balvir Singh, Chesterfield Mayor Shreekant Dhopte, and other local officials and farmers.
The event took place at the Chesterfield Firehouse, a site significant for its historical connection to Governor Tom Kean’s 1985 visit when he presented a check for $412,650 to preserve five Chesterfield farms. This initiative was part of New Jersey’s farm preservation program launched in 1983 under the Agriculture Retention and Development Rights Act.
Since then, over 250,000 acres have been preserved statewide, with Burlington County accounting for 31,000 acres through its own program in partnership with the State Agriculture Development Committee. An additional 36,000 acres have been saved by other programs.
“In Burlington County, we recognize the vital importance of agriculture to our economy, environment and quality of life,” said Commissioner Eckel. She emphasized ongoing efforts to protect more farms and open spaces.
Commissioner Brolo also commended the preservation achievements: “Burlington County is where the farmland preservation program was born… It’s an extraordinary accomplishment.”
During the event, commissioners announced preliminary approval for four new farms to join the county’s preservation program. These include Jean Throop West Farm (73 acres) and Jean Throop East Farm (72 acres) in Tabernacle; D.R. Horton property (226 acres) in Lumberton; and Susan and Dennis Roohr Farm (107 acres) in New Hanover. If agreements are reached with these farms’ owners, they will remain dedicated to agriculture.
Additionally, four out of eleven farms approved last year have accepted offers from the county for development rights purchase.
Eckel noted that these agreements represent another step toward safeguarding against overdevelopment: “This is how we can guard against overdevelopment and ensure that agriculture remains a strong… industry.”
Chesterfield’s success was also highlighted during the ceremony. About 90% of its eligible farmland is preserved through state and county purchases or its Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program. TDR requires developers to buy credits from landowners in areas designated for preservation before building at higher densities elsewhere.
Assemblywoman Katz praised both Burlington County’s and Chesterfield’s contributions: “South Jersey’s beautiful farms help make our region a special place… these preservation programs help ensure… generations.”
