A Simple Guide to New Jersey's Farmland Assessment
If you own five or more acres of land in New Jersey, you may be eligible for a significant property tax reduction through the Farmland Assessment Act. This program is designed to preserve our state's beautiful open spaces, and beekeeping is a key way for landowners to qualify. Learn more here.
What is Farmland Assessment?
In simple terms, the Farmland Assessment Act allows qualifying land to be taxed based on its value as agricultural land, rather than its much higher real estate market value. For eligible properties, this can reduce annual property taxes and help preserve New Jersey’s working agricultural landscapes.
In general, eligibility depends on things like:
- Acreage: commonly 5+ acres devoted to agricultural or horticultural use
- Active use over time: continuity matters (not a one-time placement of hives)
- Sales / income documentation: many applicants provide records showing agricultural production and sales
- Assessor review: municipal interpretations can vary, so confirm local expectations early
How Do Honeybees Help You Qualify?
To qualify for Farmland Assessment, your property must be actively used for agricultural or horticultural purposes and meet certain minimum income requirements from sales. Beekeeping (apiculture) is recognized by the state as a qualifying agricultural activity when it is actively managed and supported by appropriate records.
For landowners who are not experienced beekeepers, working with a professional hive management service can help ensure hives are properly installed, maintained throughout the season, and documented in a way that aligns with common assessor expectations.
A Path to Qualification
We provide a turn-key hive management service for New Jersey property owners who are exploring Farmland Assessment through beekeeping. Our role is to ensure hives are professionally installed, responsibly managed throughout the season, and maintained with continuity year over year.
By handling placement, inspections, seasonal care, and production tracking, we help landowners maintain a well-documented agricultural use—while eligibility and final determinations remain with your local municipal tax assessor.
FAQs: Beekeeping & NJ Farmland Assessment
Common questions about using managed beehives when exploring New Jersey’s Farmland Assessment program.
Do Beehives Qualify for NJ Farmland Assessment?
Beekeeping (apiculture) is recognized as an agricultural activity in New Jersey. When hives are actively managed and the land is devoted to supporting that use, beekeeping may be considered as part of agricultural use for Farmland Assessment purposes.
Municipal tax assessors evaluate agricultural use based on continuity and how the land is maintained. Simply placing hives on a property is often not enough—management, documentation, and year-to-year consistency matter.
Because expectations can vary by municipality, it’s always best to confirm details with your local tax assessor.
What Does “Actively Managed” Beekeeping Mean?
In practice, “actively managed” typically means the hives are maintained over the season with routine inspections and health monitoring, pest control as needed, seasonal preparation, and responsible overwintering practices.
For landowners pursuing Farmland Assessment, many also keep basic notes that support continuity of use over time.
What Records Should I Keep?
Recordkeeping expectations can vary, but many landowners keep a simple log of hive activity (install date, inspections, treatments if any, honey harvest), plus any sales records for honey or hive products if applicable.
When in doubt, ask your municipal assessor what documentation they prefer for your situation.
If you prefer a hands-off approach, professional hive management services can help keep the beekeeping operation consistent throughout the season.
Is Beekeeping Alone Enough to Qualify for NJ Farmland Assessment?
Beehives alone do not automatically qualify a property for Farmland Assessment. Municipal tax assessors typically look for evidence of active agricultural use over time, including consistent management, continuity from year to year, and reasonable documentation.
In practice, beekeeping is more likely to support an application when hives are professionally maintained, monitored throughout the season, and integrated into the ongoing use of the land.
Many landowners choose professional hive management to help ensure their beekeeping operation is consistent, defensible, and aligned with common assessor expectations.
Disclaimer
Beesphere provides professional beekeeping and hive management services and does not offer tax, legal, or assessment advice. The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a determination of eligibility. Farmland Assessment qualification and requirements are determined solely by your local municipal tax assessor. Property owners should consult directly with their assessor to confirm eligibility, documentation requirements, and ongoing compliance.