Right-to-Farm
The Somerset County Agriculture Development Board serves on the "front line" of Right-to-Farm. Established in 1983, the New Jersey Right-to-Farm Act (N.J.S.A 4:1C-1 et seq.) provides defined protections to Commercial Farmers in regards to nuisance complaints and regulations compliance. Any person aggrieved by an agricultural operation may also submit a complaint under the Right-to-Farm Act. The SCADB is the first entity to review the request and/or complaint, determine if eligibility for Right-to-Farm exists, and then process the matter to reach a determination.
Right-to-Farm Act
Application for Right-to-Farm Protection
Request for Right-to-Farm Hearing
SADC's Right-to-Farm Program
List of Existing Agriculture Management Practices
AMP for On-Farm Direct Marketing Facilities, Activities and Events, and Revised Right-to-Farm Procedure Rules
New Jersey's Right-to-Farm Act: What It Is and How It Works? - a publication by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the SADC
In lieu of formal Right-to-Farm proceedings, a free and voluntary mediation program is offered by the SADC. If all parties agree, a trained mediator will be provided at no charge to the parties to attempt to resolve the issue. Information regarding Mediation is listed below:
The following offers information about the Right-to-Farm Act, and links to the required forms for completion:
Mediation Handbook - SADC
Right-to-Farm Disputes - Mediation Information
Right-to-Farm Disputes - Mediation Request
Please contact the SCADB for more information on Right-to-Farm.