The full Assembly on Thursday advanced legislation, 77-0, to support New Jersey’s agricultural community by allowing commercial farms to host special occasion events. The measure, sponsored by Assembly Democrats Roy Freiman and Raj Mukherji, would grant farmers permission to host weddings, lifetime milestone celebrations, and other social or cultural events on preserved farmland.
Under the bill (A-2772/S-757), all events held on preserved farmland must be designed to protect the land and ensure it can be returned to productive agriculture or horticulture use after the event.
Upon Assembly approval of the legislation, Assemblymen Freiman (D-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon) and Mukherji (D-Hudson) issued the following joint statement:
“This legislation gives farmers in New Jersey the opportunity to supplement their income by hosting special events on their land. Agritourism is a growing industry and, by allowing our farmers to participate, we make it possible for them to expand their businesses, grow the economy and showcase that which makes New Jersey’s agricultural community special. Further, it provides access to farms and farmland, allowing all to enjoy the beauty of nature, and gives insight into the challenges and rewards farmers encounter in growing the food we consume.
“By finding a balance between protecting preserved farmland and giving farmers in the Garden State the ability to host events, we can introduce new streams of income to the farming industry without compromising agricultural production.”