Under what condition can non-appurtenant woodland qualify for farmland assessment?

Non-appurtenant woodland can qualify for farmland assessment when it complies with a filed woodland management plan. This condition is essential because it demonstrates that the woodland is being actively managed in a manner that aligns with the standards set forth for agricultural use. A woodland management plan outlines practices such as sustainable harvesting and conservation measures, ensuring that the woodland contributes to the overall agricultural purpose and productivity mandated by farmland assessment criteria.

This connection to active management is crucial, as it distinguishes the woodland as a productive asset rather than merely a passive landholding. In New Jersey, the farmland assessment program aims to encourage land use that supports agriculture, and a management plan is a practical means of committing land to such productive use. Through adherence to an approved management plan, landowners show their intent to maintain and enhance the ecological value of their woodland in a way that supports agricultural goals, thus qualifying the land for the beneficial farmland assessment.

Other conditions, such as the focus on recreational activities or proximity to agricultural land, do not meet the specific requirements set forth in New Jersey’s farmland assessment guidelines. Additionally, the restriction on harvesting timber contradicts the notion of sustainable management practices that can lead to productive land use; a well-managed woodland can indeed provide timber while still qualifying for farmland assessment.