Which factor is essential for a parcel to qualify for farmland assessment?

For a parcel to qualify for farmland assessment, active agricultural use and income requirements are essential criteria. In New Jersey, the farmland assessment program is designed to encourage the preservation of farmlands and ensure that properties dedicated to agricultural activities receive tax benefits. To be eligible for this assessment, the property must be actively engaged in agricultural production, which could involve crops, livestock, or other farming-related activities.

Additionally, there are income thresholds that the farmland must meet, which ensures that the parcel is not only being used for agriculture but is generating a minimum amount of income from those activities. This requirement supports the notion that the land is not merely a hobby farm but rather a legitimate agricultural operation that contributes to the local economy.

The emphasis on active use and income aligns with the program's goal to identify and support genuine agricultural enterprises. While other factors, such as the size of the parcel or its location, may be relevant in other contexts, they are not as fundamental to the definition of farmland for assessment as active agricultural use and adherence to income requirements.