Introduction
Appraisals are performed to determine property and easement values for the farmland preservation program.
The State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) approves State Certified General Real Estate Appraisers (SCGREA) to perform these appraisals based on the following:
- Appraiser Selection Rule (N.J.A.C. 2:76-6.21)
- Appraiser Retention and Removal Rule (N.J.A.C. 2:76-6.22)
The SADC only accepts appraisals from the agency’s approved appraisers for projects in which SADC approval and funding are sought:
SADC Approved Appraisers are required to follow:
- Uniform Standards for Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)
- New Jersey Farmland Preservation Program Appraisal Handbook
- Transfer of Development Rights Program appraisal guidelines
Please note: Any agency using our list should confirm that the appraiser has proper professional insurance coverage and meets all other specific requirements of the agency.
The SADC also periodically contracts with appraisers to serve as SADC review appraisers:
Looking to become an SADC Approved Appraiser?
- SADC approves individual appraisers (not firms).
- If you or someone you know would like to become an approved appraiser and meets the Appraiser Selection Rule (N.J.A.C. 2:76-6.21), please contact SADC Appraisal Review Staff to apply.
- For more information on the farmland preservation appraisal process, contact the State Agriculture Development Committee at (609) 984-2504.
Appraisal Guidelines
2024 Appraisal Handbook – as adopted
Appraisal Videos
2024 Webinar (Full Video) See Helpful Tools for direct links to sections of the webinar
Helpful Tools
Bring GeoWeb boundaries into the Web Soil Survey:
NJ Land Link – Listings of farms for sale
Land and Farm – Listings of farms for sale
NJ Pinelands
NJ Pinelands Commission
Pinelands Onsite Development Worksheet
NJ Highlands
NJ Highlands Council
Transfer of Development Rights Program - Appraisal Guidelines
Agricultural Land Easement (ALE)
These are lands that have been preserved with a certain percentage of federal funding. The ALE requirements are more stringent than the typical farmland preservation easement. Therefore, the appraisers should consider if a property rights adjustment is necessary for the additional restrictions. The following is a guidance document that explains the program, as well as a comparison chart between farms with ALE funding and those without. The above list of SADC preserved farms has a column at the end that indicates if the farm was preserved with ALE funding, to determine if an adjustment is necessary to the comparable sale.
Templates for Appraisers
Adjustment Grid for Unrestricted “Before” Sales
Farmland Sales Data
The SADC is providing lists of sales of unrestricted (Before) and restricted (After) farms for the benefit of real estate appraisers. These comparable sales are taken from real estate appraisals that we have reviewed for farmland preservation applications in New Jersey. The SADC has not confirmed these transactions, and we take no responsibility for their accuracy. The sale price is reflective of the deed; therefore, the sale price and per acre rates include improvement value.
List of SADC Preserved Farms
The SADC is providing a list of all its preserved farms since the program’s inception in 1983. This is not a list of recent sales. This report has been developed using the SADC’s main database and designed as a tool to assist the appraisers in checking the preservation status of recent sales or other farms as well as insight to specific farm characteristics, such as soils, exceptions and dwelling opportunities, tillable acreage, etc. The block and lot numbers are included for confirmation. Some farms may be preserved by other means so never assume these are the only preserved farms. The report is sorted alphabetically by county, then by municipality, then by applicant.
The data in this report has been compiled over many years and there can be data missing, incorrect, etc. For example, the soils percentages are based on net acres, not gross, which may create issues in the cases with large exception areas. There may be cases where there has been more than one deed of easement recorded, but only one deed was picked up in the report. Likewise, some may be located in more than one municipality. We encourage the appraisers to pull the deed(s) of easement for more accurate information. The SADC takes no responsibility for the accuracy of this report. All data should be confirmed in the appraiser’s own due diligence. This is being provided as an additional resource and courtesy to the appraisers.
SADC Appraisal Review Staff
Richard Martin
(609) 913-6570
richard.martin@ag.nj.gov
Jolyn Czerniecki
(609) 913-6586
jolyn.czerniecki@ag.nj.gov