88 Acres Preserved in Warren County

FRANKLIN TWP. — An 88-acre township farm is adding to the more than 20,000 acres of farmland preserved in Warren County.

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey recently announced that the Santini Farm has been preserved. Owned by Santino and Clara Santini, this farm is “part of a rich agricultural farm-belt near Warren County’s southern border with Hunterdon County,” states a release from Land Conservancy of New Jersey. “The Santini Farm is located within the Pohatcong Ridge Project Area identified in the township’s Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan completed by Township and The Land Conservancy of New Jersey in 2008. By preserving this farm, the rural character of the area will be maintained and protected.”

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey and Warren County Freeholders purchased the development rights of the property. The Land Conservancy’s funding for this project came from the Garden State Preservation Trust via the State Agricultural Development Committee (SADC) non-profit grant program. These funds were matched by Warren County for a total purchase price of $564,768. Warren County’s contribution was approved by the County Agricultural Development Board.

This acquisition is the latest in a series of closings that The Land Conservancy has completed in Warren County. The Conservancy has spent over $1 million in helping to preserve six different farms in Warren County since 2005. “The Land Conservancy is delighted to continue our partnership with the Freeholder Board to preserve critical farms that preserve an important but threatened way of life in Warren County,” said conservancy President David Epstein. “We thank the Township of Franklin, the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and the State Agriculture Development Committee for their contributions and interest in preserving this beautiful land.”

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a non profit member supported organization dedicated to preserving and protecting New Jersey’s vital natural lands and drinking water resources. To date, the conservancy has helped preserve over 17,600 acres of open space lands and helped towns receive more than $210 million for their land conservation projects.