Farms considered for preservation

The Ocean County Board of Freeholders is getting ready to grant preliminary approval to six farms, totaling approximately 200 acres, to be included in the county's Farmland Preservation Program.

"Preliminary approval authorizes the preparation of appraisal reports to determine the development values of the farms," said Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little. "This does not obligate the county to purchase the development easements but it helps in preparing the way."

Four of the six farms are in Jackson. These four farms total 151 acres. One of the farms - the 37-acre J&J Nursery Farm on South Stump Tavern Road - is near the state-owned Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area.

The other two farms are in Plumsted.

"These two farms would add another 47 acres to the already preserved 2,307 acres in Plumsted," noted Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr., who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust program. "The Perry farm, one of those expected to be given preliminary approval, is a well-known Christmas tree farm on Evergreen Road."

If the county and land owners reach an agreement on the development value, final approvals will be granted next spring, according to a press release from the county.

"The objective of this program is to create contiguous areas of preserved farmland," said Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Board of Agriculture. "The program is instrumental in maintaining open space and agriculture viability."