Three Willows Farm owner Brian Arzt shows off some of the pasture-raised beef the farm sells to consumers.
The Burlington County Commissioners have reached another farmland preservation milestone: Three Willows Farm in Springfield became the first farm to be preserved using a new state formula to calculate its development value.
The farm’s preservation by the state was celebrated during a ceremony on Aug. 25 attended by New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn; farm owners Brian and Stacey Arzt; and various state and county officials.
The 70-acre farm is located off Arney’s Mount Road in the heart of the county’s farm belt. The Arzts are first-generation farmers who raise cattle and sell pasture-raised beef directly to customers.
The farm is the first New Jersey farm to be preserved using the new Statewide Preservation Formula, also called the Statewide Formula Value (SFV). The formula appraises the value of a farm’s development rights beyond market value to assign additional value based on its agriculture and natural resource characteristics.
Legislation instructing the state’s Agriculture Development Committee to create the new formula and related rules became law in January of 2024. The formula and rules became effective in April of this year. The county has reached tentative agreements with the owners of six additional farms to enter its preservation program.
Once closing occurs, another 741 acres of farmland will be added to the 67,000 already preserved across the county.
State Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, a co-sponsor of the new formula legislation, said the update ensures farmers receive fair compensation that reflects the value of keeping land in agriculture.
“I’m a huge proponent of community and ensuring people can remain here and continue to thrive in New Jersey and Burlington County,” she explained. “This is a prime example of how we’re accomplishing that goal. The update is helping New Jersey and Burlington County have a better opportunity to save additional farmland to keep New Jersey the Garden State.”
Assemblywoman Andrea Katz thanked and congratulated the Arzt family; state Agriculture Development Committee members and staff; and the many farmers who continue to provide fresh, healthy foods for families in New Jersey and beyond.
“First-generation farmers like Brian and Stacey Arzt are committed to keeping agriculture alive in New Jersey, and updating the preservation formula represents an investment in them and other farmers looking to safeguard New Jersey agriculture’s future,” Katz noted.
