The Agriculture, Forest, and Open Space Act of 1976 is a law that was passed to ease some of the pressures caused by urbanization.

The policy of the state as declared by the General Assembly, says that owners of an open space should have the opportunity to preserve this land if so desired. Therefore, the Act prevents this open space from being prematurely developed. However, for a parcel of land to be qualified under the act it must first meet certain criteria.

For taxpayer's property to qualify, the land must be categorized as agricultural land or forest land. Agricultural land is land consisting of at least fifteen (15) acres and being used for production or growing of crops, plants, animals and nursery products. Forest land is land that consists of at least fifteen (15) acres and is used to grow trees under a sustained yield management program or acreage with tree growth that would constitute a forest.

If you feel your land of fifteen (15) acres or more qualifies as agriculture or forest land, you may make application with the Assessor of Property.