The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) and the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association (CFBA) are sharing additional clarifying information regarding the 2025 Public Act 490 (PA 490) recommended land use values.
Following a period of intense review and advocacy, the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) released updated recommended land use values on January 5, 2026. These revised figures override the values initially released in October 2025, which both organizations identified as failing to accurately reflect the economic reality of Connecticut’s agricultural industry or the original intent of the law.
Correcting the Valuation Methodology
The PA 490 program is a cornerstone of land preservation in Connecticut, providing essential current-use tax assessments for farmland, forest, and open space for over 40 years. While the same valuation methodology has been used for prior survey periods the 2025 update was hindered by significant data challenges.
The survey conducted by the UConn Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and the methodology in the valuation report by Farm Credit East contained flaws, including:
●Low response rates that skewed results.
●Data inconsistencies that led to erratic land use values for specific land categories.
●Oversights in the review process prior to the initial release.
“PA 490 is one of the most critical tools we have to preserve our state's natural resource land base,” said a joint statement from the CFBA and CT DoAg. “The revised values ensure that our farmers are not unfairly burdened by assessments that do not align with the actual productivity and economic conditions of their land.”
Looking Toward Long-Term Reform
While the January 5 update provides immediate relief, the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association is committed to pursuing a permanent, long-term solution. The CFBA intends to conduct a comprehensive "deep dive" into the assessment process to propose legislative changes well before the next five-year update cycle.
Future efforts will focus on:
●Rental Land Trends: Examining the decreasing volume of rental land used in agriculture.
●Standardized Reporting: Addressing the wide-ranging formats and variations in how rental data is reported.
●Process Transparency: Ensuring that data inconsistencies are identified and corrected before public release.
Both the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association remain dedicated to protecting the viability of the state’s agricultural economy and ensuring that PA 490 continues to serve its vital role in land conservation.
About Public Act 490
Public Act 490 is Connecticut’s current-use tax law for Farmland, Forest Land, and Open Space Land. It is designed to prevent the forced conversion of these lands to non-agricultural uses by taxing the land at its current-use value rather than its highest and best use (development) value.
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Frequently Asked Questions: 2025–2026 PA 490 Recommended Land Use Value Revisions
This FAQ is designed to help Connecticut landowners understand the recent changes to the Public Act 490 (PA 490) recommended land use values following the joint intervention by the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association (CFBA) and the CT Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg).
1. What happened to the recommended land use values released in October 2025?
The values released in October 2025 were found to be based on inconsistent data and a low survey response rate from the UConn Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. These figures—particularly for pasture and lower-grade tillable land—showed erratic and significant increases that did not reflect the actual economic conditions of Connecticut farming. Those October values have been officially overridden.
2. What are the new revised values for 2026?
On January 5, 2026, the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) released a corrected schedule of unit prices. These are more aligned with historical trends and the productivity of the land.
Revised 2025/2026 Recommended Land Use Values (Per Acre)
|
Land Category |
State-Wide Value |
River Valley Value |
|
Tillable A (Excellent) |
$3,250 |
$3,950 |
|
Tillable B (Very Good) |
$2,000 |
$2,000 |
|
Tillable C (Very Good) |
$1,050 |
$1,050 |
|
Tillable D (Good) |
$870 |
$870 |
|
Orchard E |
$2,300 |
$2,300 |
|
Pasture F |
$815 |
$815 |
|
Swamp/Ledge/Scrub G |
$40 |
$40 |
|
Woodland/Forest Land |
$200 |
$200 |
3. How will these changes affect my property tax bill?
These values are "recommended" schedules that local assessors use to determine the current-use value of your land rather than its "highest and best use" (development value). Because the January 5 revisions lowered many of the categories from the October 2025 draft, most farmers should see a more stable and fair assessment compared to the initial projections.
4. What if my local assessor is still using the October 2025 values?
Municipalities are expected to use the most current recommended values from OPM. If your assessment notice (typically sent between October and January) reflects the higher, outdated October figures, you should contact your local assessor immediately to ensure they have updated their records with the January 5, 2026 REVISED OPM schedule.
5. Can I still appeal my assessment?
Yes. If you believe your land has been misclassified or the valuation is incorrect:
6. Why is the CFBA looking for a "long-term solution"?
The current process relies on five-year survey cycles which are becoming less reliable as the amount of rented farmland fluctuates and reporting methods vary. CFBA will work with OPM, CT DoAg, and the legislature to advocate for a more transparent, stable, and data-driven formula that prevents the "erratic" jumps seen in this 2025 cycle.
●CT Department of Agriculture: (860) 713-2500 | DAG.Commissioner@ct.gov
●CT Farm Bureau Association: (860) 768-1100 | traceym@cfba.org
●Your Local Assessor: Contact your Town Hall directly for specific updates to your PA 490 lands.
- Informal Reviews: Many towns have a brief informal window in January.
- Formal Appeals: You must file a written appeal with your town's Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA). For most Connecticut towns, the deadline to file this application is February 20, 2026 (or March 20, 2026, if the town has granted an extension).
