
Robert A. Marsico
Partner
201-896-7165 rmarsico@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Author: Robert A. Marsico
Date: May 18, 2016
Partner
201-896-7165 rmarsico@sh-law.comComedian and former Daily Show host Jon Stewart is seeking approval to open a farm sanctuary in Colts Neck. Stewart’s JTS Land Trust recently signed a contract to purchase the historic Hockhockson Farm with plans to build an educational center that would be open to the public.
The first step of the approval process was to obtain a commercial farm certification under the state’s Right to Farm Act, which the Monmouth Agriculture Board granted earlier this month. The Board will consider Stewart’s concept for the farm next month.
By obtaining a commercial farm certification, the JTS Land Trust will have more freedom to operate without running afoul of local land use ordinances. The New Jersey Right to Farm Act protects commercial farmers from public and private nuisance actions as well as unduly restrictive municipal regulations.
To be eligible for protection under the statute, a farm must qualify as a commercial farm.
An operation larger than five acres must annually engage in agricultural or horticultural production worth at least $2,500 and be eligible for differential property taxation under Farmland Assessment. For farms smaller than five acres, the annual production requirement is a minimum of $50,000 and the farm must satisfy eligibility requirements for farmland assessment, other than the farm-size requirement. A commercial farm may comprise multiple parcels, whether contiguous or non-contiguous, provided they are operated together as a single enterprise.
In addition, a New Jersey farm seeking commercial certification must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Once a farm satisfies the eligibility criteria, it may be granted certain protections under the Right to Farm Act for the following activities:
The Right to Farm Act also contains dispute resolution mechanisms. An individual or municipality aggrieved by the operation of a commercial farm must file a complaint with the County Agriculture Development Board (CADB) prior to filing an action in court. CADB decisions may be appealed to SADC and then to the New Jersey Superior Court.
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
If you’re considering closing your business, it’s crucial to understand that simply shutting your doors does not end your legal obligations. Unless you formally dissolve your business, it continues to exist in the eyes of the law—leaving you exposed to ongoing liabilities such as taxes, compliance violations, and potential lawsuits. Dissolving a business can seem […]
Author: Christopher D. Warren
Contrary to what many people think, corporate restructuring isn’t all doom and gloom. Revamping a company’s organizational structure, corporate hierarchy, or operations procedures can help keep your business competitive. This is particularly true during challenging times. Corporate restructuring plays a critical role in modern business strategy. It helps companies adapt quickly to market changes. Following […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Cryptocurrency intimidates most people. The reason is straightforward. People fear what they do not understand. When confusion sets in, the common reaction is either to ignore the subject entirely or to mistrust it. For years, that is exactly how most of the public and even many in law enforcement treated cryptocurrency. However, such apprehension changed […]
Author: Bryce S. Robins
Using chattel paper to obtain a security interest in personal property is a powerful tool. It can ensure lenders have a legal claim on collateral ranging from inventory to intellectual property. To reduce risk and protect your legal rights, businesses and lenders should understand the legal framework. This framework governs the creation, sale, and enforcement […]
Author: Dan Brecher
For years, digital assets operated in a legal gray area, a frontier where innovation outpaced the reach of regulators and law enforcement. In this early “Wild West” phase of finance, crypto startups thrived under minimal oversight. That era, however, is coming to an end. The importance of crypto compliance has become paramount as cryptocurrency has […]
Author: Bryce S. Robins
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services vitiating the so-called “background circumstances” test required by half of federal circuit courts.1 The background circumstances test required majority group plaintiffs pleading discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to meet a heightened pleading standard […]
Author: Matthew F. Mimnaugh
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!