Hunterdon County reaches new milestone in farmland preservation with over 36,000 acres preserved
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – Hunterdon County has now preserved 36,263 farmland acres and a state leading 481 farms, with the recent addition of two more preserved farm properties in Holland and Franklin Townships, according to County Commissioner Board Deputy Director Zach Rich.
Rich, the Commissioner Board’s liaison to the Planning and Land Use Department, said, “In June, the County closed on the preservation of both the 90-acre Rolph farm in Holland Township and 30 acres at the Magnolia Creek Stables in Franklin Township, helping to reach another important milestone in the Board’s ongoing farmland preservation efforts. With 481 total farms preserved to date, Hunterdon County continues to rank as #1 statewide in total farms preserved.”
A map outlining the various preserved farm properties throughout the county is available on the county’s website. New applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
“The preservation of farmland in Hunterdon County continues to be an important priority for the Commissioner Board. Farmland preservation contributes to our county’s high quality of life and the preservation of the county’s rich agricultural heritage. Farmland preservation also enjoys widespread public support. As I had reported at a meeting earlier this year, an electronic survey initiated by the County revealed that over 90% of survey respondents gave farmland preservation high marks,” Rich said.
“Hunterdon County has long led the way in preserving farms and the agricultural economy. The first family farm to be preserved in New Jersey was preserved in Franklin Township, Hunterdon County in 1985. And working with our volunteers on the County Agriculture Development Board (CADB), the County’s preservation staff, and the State Agriculture Development Committee, those efforts will continue into the future,” Rich said.
The CADB and The Land Conservancy of NJ are presently updating the Farmland Preservation Plan to guide future farm preservation efforts and welcomes public input.