Susan Payne

Susan supports AFT’s work in farmland protection, land use planning, farm viability and related issues, by supporting AFT programs, leading new initiatives, and identifying opportunities for greater integration among AFT programs. Susan leads AFT’s National Capacity Team to increase capacity of federal and other land protections programs and seeks to advance public and private Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) programs.

Prior to joining AFT in the summer of 2024, Susan served as Executive Director of New Jersey State Agriculture Development Committee - the agency responsible for administering the state’s Farmland Preservation and Right to Farm programs, and in that capacity she also served as Executive Director of the New Jersey Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Bank Board.

Prior to assuming her state position, Susan worked for 16 years in Burlington County, NJ as a staff planner and then director of the Office of Resource Conservation responsible for farmland preservation, creation of the county’s park system, water supply and water quality management planning, and adoption of the NJ State Plan by the county’s municipalities. Susan holds a B.S. degree in Environmental Planning and Design from Rutgers University, Cook College, and is a licensed NJ Professional Planner and member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).