Bill Text: NJ A3460 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Permits agricultural tourism events to be conducted on preserved farmland.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-06-13 - Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading [A3460 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-A3460-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 30 (Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Permits agricultural tourism events to be conducted on preserved farmland.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning agricultural tourism on preserved farmland and supplementing Title 4 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Notwithstanding any other law, or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, to the contrary, agricultural tourism events may be conducted on preserved farmland provided that the preserved farmland is part of a functioning farm operation engaged in agricultural or horticultural production.
b. The county agriculture development boards, as part of their annual inspections of preserved farms, shall monitor and confirm compliance with the provisions of this act.
c. As used in this section:
"Agricultural tourism" means affordable, recreational, and educational activities and opportunities to learn about the production of food and agricultural products and the State's farming heritage while helping to encourage the preservation of agricultural lands. "Agricultural tourism" may include, but need not be limited to, activities and opportunities such as hayrides, corn mazes, pick-your-own operations, farm markets, school tours, agricultural fairs, farm festivals, weddings, winery tours and horseback riding.
"Preserved farmland" means land on which a development easement was conveyed to, or retained by, the committee, a board, a municipality, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization pursuant to the provisions of section 24 of P.L.1983, c.32 (C.4:1C-31), section 5 of P.L.1988, c.4 (C.4:1C-31.1), section 1 of P.L.1989, c.28 (C.4:1C-38), section 1 of P.L.1999, c.180 (C.4:1C-43.1), sections 37 through 40 of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-37 through C.13:8C-40), or any other State law enacted for farmland preservation purposes.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill permits agricultural tourism events to be conducted on preserved farmland provided that the preserved farmland is part of a functioning farm operation engaged in agricultural or horticultural production. The bill also provides that the county agriculture development boards, as part of their annual inspections of preserved farms, shall monitor and confirm compliance with the provisions of this bill.
The bill defines "agricultural tourism" as affordable, recreational, and educational activities and opportunities to learn about the production of food and agricultural products and the State's farming heritage while helping to encourage the preservation of agricultural lands. The bill includes in this definition activities and opportunities such as hayrides, corn mazes, pick-your-own operations, farm markets, school tours, agricultural fairs, farm festivals, weddings, winery tours and horseback riding.
