122 Acres Preserved in Frelinghuysen Twp., Warren County

(Originally posted in the Warren Reporter)

The Township of Frelinghuysen and The Land Conservancy of New Jersey are pleased to announce the recent preservation of the 122 acre Linz Farm in Frelinghuysen.

“The Township of Frelinghuysen is please to add another valuable piece of farmland to its preservation effort,” stated Charlie Schaffer, Chairman of the Frelinghuysen Township Farmland Preservation Committee.

Prior to the preservation of the Linz Farm there were 1,659 acres of permanently preserved farmland in Frelinghuysen Township and with the addition of the Linz Farm, there are now 1,780 acres, ensuring a permanent agricultural legacy in the Township.

“Frelinghuysen Township deserves credit for spearheading this project,” explained Corey Tierney, Director of the Warren County Department of Land Preservation. “Mayor Charles and the Township Committee, Chairman Schaffer and the Farmland Preservation Committee, and Gail McDonald from The Land Conservancy of New Jersey all deserve special thanks for their hard work and commitment to preserving farmland. This is an investment in the future. Farmland preservation helps keep agriculture viable for generations to come and ensures that we’ll always have access to locally grown produce and products. We’re happy to see Frelinghuysen Township taking advantage of this great program. By teaming up on this project, the county and municipality each paid less than 15% towards the total purchase price. Working together, we were able to leverage our combined investment in farmland preservation and secure state funding for the 70% balance. We are immensely grateful to the State Agriculture Development Committee for its substantial contributions to this and other preserved farms throughout Warren County.”

“The Land Conservancy of New Jersey appreciates the landowner’s commitment to preservation and the Township and County’s proactive approach to farmland preservation,” stated Gail McDonald, Land Preservation Specialist with The Land Conservancy. “Each partner plays a significant role in the preservation of each farm, and The Land Conservancy is pleased to have been able to assist in preserving this beautiful farm in perpetuity.”
The Linz Farm has been a family farm for three generations. This farm consists mostly of gently rolling open farmland with moderately sloped woodland areas in the easterly portion of the tract and small areas of steep slopes. There is a small stream that flows through the center of the property. The land is currently farmed for hay. In the past, the farm was one of the best working dairies in the area. Corn and other grain crops have also been grown on the farm.

“Since some of that region is already protected, this will provide a wider buffer of protection, while still maintaining viable farmland,” said Freeholder Richard D. Gardner, who is liaison to the Warren County Agriculture Development Board. “As properties become available, the county is pleased to participate in protecting them,” Gardner said. “The open space we have, we owe much to the diligence of the state working hand-in-hand with the county and municipalities,” he said.

Founded in 1981, The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is a member supported non-profit land trust dedicated to preserving and protecting our vital natural lands and water resources. We are working to inspire and empower individuals and communities to take action to preserve land and protect the environment in New Jersey. The Conservancy has preserved more than 20,000 acres of land and helped towns secure $220 million in county, state, and federal grants for their land conservation projects. We have worked in 89 municipalities in 13 counties benefiting millions of people who live, work, or visit our state. Accredited by the National Land Trust Accreditation Commission in 2009, The Conservancy joins 181 organizations nationwide recognized for meeting the highest quality standards for protecting open space, upholding the public trust, and ensuring that our conservation efforts are permanent.

For more information, to volunteer or make a donation, call (973) 541-1010, or visit our website at tlc-nj.org.

106 Acres to be Preserved in West Deptford (Gloucester County)

You know it's an election season when these reports start coming at a pretty speedy clip. But, hey, we'll take it.

This article originally posted on West Deptford Patch

$1M to Preserve Large West Deptford Farm

More than 100 acres of West Deptford farmland is on track for permanent preservation through Gloucester County’s Farmland Preservation Program, Freeholder Director Robert Damminger announced today.

The 106-acre George H. Urban Farm had been targeted for inclusion in the program since its inception. And the Urban family fought off development offers for years, according to a 2001 Philadelphia Inquirer article.

“This property has been in the Urban family since 1938 and has been an active farm every since. It is one of the last large active farm parcels remaining in West Deptford Township and it is adjacent to more than 42-acres of previously preserved open space,” Damminger said in a statement.

“We are fortunate to be able to preserve 106 acres in West Deptford Township—that much contiguous land is a rare find.”

County freeholders will vote to authorize the farm’s development rights, agreement of sale and other documents at their meeting tonight, Oct. 17. If all goes well, settlement should occur in the next few weeks.

The farm costs $1,010,800 to preserve, an amount based on a certified value by the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), according to the county. Gloucester County is eligible for about $600,000 in reimbursement from SADC. The remaining costs will be covered by the county’s open space funds.

Urban Farm straddles Ogden Station Road and includes field crops and vegetables.

“The county is grateful that the Urban family has now chosen to preserve the property through the Farmland Preservation Program,” Damminger said, “as this will ensure that the property’s agricultural operations remain in place in perpetuity and that its rich agricultural heritage will never be lost.”

A PDF of Preserved NJ Farms from Jan. 1, 2012- September 11, 2012

Just found this while searching for a story on the Gimbel Farm, a 32-acre farm on Whipporwill Valley Road (this was the scary dirt road we'd drive down as teens, where the legend was there had been KKK meetings and such, to scare people), which was preserved in September. Couldn't find a proper story to post here, but this is a list of farms preserved from Jan. 1, 2012 through to Sept. 11. It may be updated over time or this is it for this list. Either way, take a few minutes out and pore through the list and say "thanks" to those that made it possible!

http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/sadc/farmpreserve/progress/preserved/2012farmsto200,000acres.pdf

Here's a sample, which includes the Gimbel Farm! Seriously, it's like stepping back in time.

Franklin Township (Hunterdon County) Farm Preserved

Chalk up another 36 acres for all of us acre whores!

This story originally appeared in the Hunterdon County Democrat.

Franklin Township's High Plains Farm to be preserved

FRANKLIN TWP. — High Plains Farm is in the farmland preservation process, says John DeMarrais, chairman of the township Open Space Committee.

The farmland consists of 36 acres on the Cherryville-Quakertown Road that belong to Linda Peterson and are adjacent to her family’s farmland, which is already preserved.

The development rights to High Plains Farm will cost $223,200, with the state paying 60% and the county and township each paying 20%.

With only a few administrative details pending, the closing will take place any month now, says DeMarrais.

The land has the desirable “Quakertown soil,” a sandy loam “that is some of the best in the state” for agriculture, says DeMarrais.

The township’s open-space tax garners about $270,000 a year, with much of it going to pay off previous purchases, he said.

61 Acres Preserved in East Amwell, Hunterdon County

Man, East Amwell always turns up on this blog. Longterm plan: move to East Amwell.

This article originally appeared on the Hunterdon County Democrat:

East Amwell Township is a rural haven tucked away in the southeast corner of the county. The township has worked for many years to make East Amwell a place where farming comes first. That commitment has paid off, and the township is home to many preserved farms, including a 61-acre farm on Wertsville Road recently preserved by the township with the help of the Hunterdon Land Trust.

“We have wanted to preserve this farm for many years,” said Dick Ginman, a member of the township’s farmland and open space committee. “We are indebted to Kate Buttolph (Hunterdon Land Trust’s director of acquisition and stewardship) for working with the owner to make this preservation happen.”

The recently preserved property adjoins other preserved farms and is in an area of interest for both East Amwell Township and the Hunterdon Land Trust. East Amwell Township’s farmland preservation plan recognizes that “agriculture is important in East Amwell’s history and its future, providing a rural lifestyle valued by farmers and non-farmers alike, while also contributing breathtaking scenic views, promoting the local economy and utilizing a valuable natural resource.” The farm on Wertsville Road is a perfect example of the type of place that the township’s plan is geared to protect. It is surrounded by other large farms and across the street from East Amwell Elementary school that together create a beautiful and peaceful rural vista. It is one of four properties totaling 243 acres preserved in East Amwell over the past year.

“It is a pleasure to partner with townships like East Amwell that value the many benefits of preserving their farming legacy,” said Patricia Ruby, executive director of the Hunterdon Land Trust. “In addition to ensuring we’ll always have access to local, healthy food, preserving farmland is a sound investment in many ways including future farmers, flood control, and wildlife habitat.”

In a recently completed comprehensive land preservation plan, the Hunterdon Land Trust also identified the area of the newly preserved farm as one of particular interest due to its agricultural soils and its proximity to the headwaters of the Neshanic River. The Neshanic is a major tributary to the South Branch of the Raritan and vital to the water quality within the Raritan basin. “I am so pleased that East Amwell and the Hunterdon Land Trust were able to partner to protect this property,” said Kate Buttolph of the Hunterdon Land Trust. “This farm fit perfectly with both of our goals and will help ensure that a rural way of life in Hunterdon County will endure for future generations to enjoy.”

In addition to the Hunterdon Land Trust and East Amwell Township, The New Jersey Office of Natural Lands Management has recognized the importance of preserving land in East Amwell. Much of the township is part of a designated Natural Heritage Priority Site due to its significance for grassland wildlife, particularly ground nesting birds including the state-threatened Bobolinks and Savannah Sparrows and species of state-special concern Eastern Meadowlarks.

Funding for preserving the 61-acre property, which is currently a horse farm, was obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Federal Farm and Ranchland Program, in the amount of $158,119 and East Amwell Township in the amount of $141,881.

Incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1996, the Hunterdon Land Trust is committed to protecting the rural landscapes and natural resources of Hunterdon County. The land trust works with landowners interested in preserving their land through donation or sale of land or development rights. To learn more about land preservation in Hunterdon County please visit hunterdonlandtrust.org.

76 Acres in Upper Pittsgrove Twp., Salem County, Preserved

Upper Pittsgrove is second in the state for preserved farmland, only to Upper Freehold, in Monmouth County. Pretty impressive.

Originally appeared on NJ.com

View full sizeStaff photo by Britney Lillya

UPPER PITTSGROVE TWP. — A 76-acre farm on Burlington Road in Monroeville is being put into preservation through the state program, Mayor Jack Cimprich said recently. 

Dolores Kernan will have her property preserved, adding to the township’s 7,874 acres of preserved farmland. 

Hope Gruzlovic, a spokesperson for the State Farmland Preservation Program and the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), said that Upper Pittsgrove is number two in preserved farmland to Upper Freehold in Monmouth County, which has 8,585 acres preserved. She added that there are 198,543 acres preserved statewide. Salem County is number one in preserved farmland through the State Preservation Program, with 29,418 acres.

While Kernan is setting her land up for preservation, she will continue to own the property. Rather than selling the property, she sold the development rights. By doing this, a deed of easement for the development of the land is placed.

“The property becomes restricted in how it can be used,” Cimprich explained.

These restrictions would involve what can be built on the property. No houses or other structures besides those involving farming can be built, and the land can still be farmed.

The funding comes from a Plan Incentive Grant (PIG) from SADC. SADC is funded by the Garden State Preservation Trust. Kernan received $4,200 per acre for the development rights of the land, which is at a net amount of 75.305 acres, totaling $316,281. PIG funding receives an approximate 20 percent match from the county and township each and approximately 60 percent from the state.

“What happens is, each township that is interested is awarded a certain amount of funds,” Cimprich said. “For this case, it was $1.25 million for the acquisition of farmland.”

Part of that money was used for this preservation project.

The SADC provides numerous ways of helping with the preservation process. It can give grants to counties, municipalities and nonprofit groups to pay for the development of the farmland, or offer grants to fund up to 50 percent of the cost of soil and water conservation projects, according to their website. It is also possible for the land to be completely sold to the SADC, though only for property ranging from 92 or more acres.

Cimprich went on to say that the program is a good one, and he hopes it will continue in the upcoming years.

He also mentioned that there are 15 other properties in Upper Pittsgrove totaling 1,100 acres that are approved and set to be put into the state preservation program. In some cases they are waiting for finalization from landowners, Cimprich said, but not all of these properties will necessarily be added for preservation. However, the funding is available and there is better than a 50 percent chance that most of the properties will be added.

Some funding for other land going into preservation may come from the Green Acres or the Federal Farm and Ranch Program.

Several, Cimprich said, fall into the last group.

86 Acres Preserved in Hopewell Twp, Mercer County

I used to live and work near this area. It's stunning, and efforts to preserve the land like this will only help keep it that way.

Press release courtesy D&R Greenway Land Trust.

LAST week, D&R Greenway preserved 22 acres in East Amwell Twp, Hunterdon County.   THIS week, we preserved 86 acres in Hopewell Twp, Mercer County!

With your help and with the outstanding support of our partners, on June 21st D&R Greenway purchased 86 acres of meadows and forest for permanent preservation. These rolling fields and woodlands represent one of the last missing connections in the Stony Brook Greenway. Thanks to our funding partners: the New Jersey Green Acres Program, Mercer County, Hopewell Township,  Hopewell Borough and Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space.  This land connects the Stony Brook south of Rte. 518 to the Cedar Ridge Preserve north of Rte. 518, a D&R Greenway 'Signature Preserve'. The property offers beautiful views toward the Sourlands ridge and will link the Stony Brook to the Sourlands. Mature forest supports a diverse native canopy and rich herbaceous layer. The structure and composition of these areas provide important habitat for forest-dwelling wildlife species.  Protected native species in the stream corridor include pinxster azalea, false hellebore, smooth yellow violet, cutleaf toothwort, and Canada mayflower. Open fields will provide for high quality pollinator and grassland species habitat.   "My parents bought this land in 1950 and I grew up here. My wife, Jody, and I, have now shared this property longer than they did -- over 30 years. We wanted to preserve this land to keep the special qualities of our community." -Townsend Olcott, landowner

41 Acres Preserved in Tewksbury, Hunterdon County

For all those people who have no idea what New Jersey has to offer besides guidos, permatans, traffic and the airport, take a look at this. You're welcome.

Courtesy NJConversation.org

TEWKSBURY TWP. – Forty-one agricultural acres have been added to New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s Hill & Dale property, enlarging it to 142 acres and boosting farmland preservation in the area.

The newly preserved property is at the intersection of Hill & Dale and Parsonage Lot roads, and includes corn and hay fields, a wooded stream corridor and two small cottages. It abuts the original 101 acres preserved last summer as a nature and agricultural preserve.

“We’re very excited to expand the Hill & Dale Preserve, and are grateful to all of the donors and partners who made this possible,” said Michele Byers, executive director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation. “To us, a preserve that protects both agriculture and open space is the best of all worlds.”

The land was purchased using funding from the State Agriculture Development Committee, Hunterdon County and numerous private donors from the community.

“The State Agriculture Development Committee is very pleased to partner in this cooperative project to permanently protect this farm to ensure the land forever remains available for agricultural use, and to further farmland preservation efforts in the Highlands Preservation Area,” said Agriculture Secretary Douglas Fisher.

Farm lanes and trails surrounding the preserve’s cultivated agricultural fields are open to the public for hiking, horseback riding and nature observation. The upper section of the preserve offers a view of the surrounding Hunterdon County countryside, while the lower section provides access to the Rockaway Creek and two tributaries.

“This land acquisition represents the continued commitment to land preservation by Hunterdon County and its partners,” said Hunterdon County Freeholder Matt Holt.  “Having walked this site several times, I can say it is one of the jewels in preserved sites in the northern part of our county.  We look forward to continuing to preserve great land parcels such as the Hill & Dale Preserve.”

The Hill & Dale Preserve is part of the landmark 310-acre Hill & Dale Farm, whose distinctive Dutch barns were originally built nearly a century ago for dairy farming. More recently, the farm has been used for horses.

“We’re delighted that the second phase closed and that the property is now in the hands of New Jersey Conservation Foundation,” said seller Michael Rothpletz. He noted that in addition to purchasing 142 acres, New Jersey Conservation Foundation is helping his family with farmland preservation on its 150 remaining acres.

New Jersey Conservation Foundation is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve land and natural resources throughout New Jersey. Since 1960, the foundation has helped preserve more than 120,000 acres of open space and farmland.

48-Acre Farm Preserved in Cumberland County

Yay! Another area I have intended to visit for a while. Maybe when I go on vacation in September ...?
Article courtesy NJConservation.org

HOPEWELL TWP. - A 48-acre farm along the Cohansey River in Hopewell Township has been permanently preserved through a partnership between Cumberland County, New Jersey Conservation Foundation, the state’s Farmland Preservation Program and the Open Space Institute. 

The farm, owned by Carmen Adamucci, is located at the intersection of Sanitarium and Aitkin roads in the Dutch Neck section of the township. Vegetable crops are grown in the fields, which are separated from the river’s marshlands by a hedgerow. 

Development rights to the farm were purchased using funding from Cumberland County, the State Agriculture Development Committee, and a grant to New Jersey Conservation Foundation from the Open Space Institute. Although the land will continue to be owned by Mr. Adamucci, it will be permanently restricted for agricultural use. 

“This farm was a high priority for preservation because of its prime soils and close proximity to the river,” said Michele S. Byers, executive director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation. “The preservation effort was made even more urgent because it was once proposed for a housing development.” 

The Cohansey River corridor is critical for wildlife habitat, especially waterfowl, marine life and birds like bald eagles. Preservation of the Adamucci farm will help protect water quality in the river and surrounding marshes, and the region’s remaining forests. 
“With its high-quality soils, the Adamucci farm is a valuable addition to Cumberland County’s roster of preserved farmland,” said Agriculture Secretary Douglas H. Fisher, who chairs the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) that administers New Jersey’s Farmland Preservation Program. “The SADC was pleased to provide a grant toward the preservation of this farm, and we look forward to working with our partners to preserve many more farms in Cumberland County.” 

Cumberland County Freeholder Tom Sheppard said the county is glad to have more farmland preserved so it can continue to be the production center of the Garden State. “Without the critical mass of good land that has not been developed, we would be unable to hold the businesses that depend on commercial growers to survive,” said Sheppard. “From the stores that sell supplies, to the farms and their workers, to the banks that handle the money, all of Cumberland County benefits.” 

“The Open Space Institute is very pleased to have been a part of the successful completion of the Adamucci Farm preservation through a grant from its Bayshore-Highlands Fund,” said Peter Howell, OSI’s executive vice president. “This farm will add to the corridor of exceptionally rich and productive farmland in Hopewell Township along the north shore of the Cohansey River. The permanent protection of the Adamucci Farm will also add to the rich mosaic of farmland and forests, marshland and wetlands in the area which serve as prime habitat for species such as the bald eagle, endangered shorebirds other diverse and rare wildlife.” 

The Adamucci farm is the first of several farms in the Dutch Neck neighborhood – the area within a wide bend of the Cohansey in Hopewell Township - that are being targeted for preservation. 

Greenwich Twp. Farm Preserved

Greenwich Township is becoming a star of preservation in not only Warren County, but New Jersey in general!

Article originally posted on NJ.com.

Fox River Farm in Greenwich Township has been preserved, adding 65 acres to the growing list of preserved farmland in the municipality. The farm was preserved via a partnership between the Township, Warren County and the State Agriculture Development Committee, with assistance from The Land Conservancy of New Jersey. This beautiful, busy horse farm is located along Route 519 bordering Lopatcong Township.

Working closely with The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, the Township is achieving remarkable results retaining and preserving its farmland base. Since 2005, this partnership between The Land Conservancy and Greenwich Township has resulted in the preservation of six properties for open space, recreation, and farmland totaling 580 acres. In total, there are 1,000 acres of preserved farmland in Greenwich Township.

“Without the hard work of our Open Space Committee led by Dawn Marie Kondas, willing landowners, Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the State of New Jersey, and The Land Conservancy, our preservation efforts of hundreds of acres in Greenwich Township may not have ever been possible. Thank you to all,” stated Elaine Emiliani, Deputy Mayor of Greenwich Township

Almost entirely prime farmland soils, the Fox River Farm is a scenic property of rolling topography and tilled agricultural fields. Over 40 acres of this farm is harvested cropland and another 10 acres are in permanent pasture, the balance of the property is woodlands. Used primarily for horses, the farm supports an arena for riding and numerous paddocks for the horses to exercise. This was the third farm preserved in the Township using funds provided by the state and county farmland programs. Greenwich Township and Warren County each provided 19% of the total project cost, with the State of New Jersey contributing 61% of the funds necessary to close this transaction.

Located three miles east of Phillipsburg, and within the Highlands Planning Area, the Fox River Farm is surrounded by preserved open space. Within one and one-half miles of this farm there are six additional preserved farms totaling 390 acres, Fox River Farm is now the northern most farm preserved in the Township’s significant farmland belt. With the preservation of this farm, there is now over 760 acres of contiguous preserved land.

“Greenwich Township has approached land preservation in a very thoughtful, intelligent and systematic way. They are creating a lasting legacy of protected farmland and open space that will serve the township very well in its future,” explained Sandy Urgo, Land Preservation Director for The Land Conservancy of New Jersey.

An acre whore's favorite words: preserves more land.

This post comes courtesy Courier-Post Online.com

Burlington County preserves more land

MOUNT HOLLY — The county that leads in farmland preservation in New Jersey now has preserved more than 25,000 acres of farmland with its latest purchases.

Burlington County added eight more farms to its preservation list last week and also sold five preserved farms to owners who must keep the land in agriculture.

The county approved payment of $4 million for 701 acres on eight farms, including three in Pemberton Township and several within the Pinelands.

Approval for the settlements came at a recent meeting of the county board of freeholders.

Mary Pat Robbie, director of the county department of resource conservation, said this boosts the total number of acres beyond 25,000 throughout the county– largest county in square miles in the state.

“What we are seeing with preserved farms and those we have sold at auction is that farmers are continuing to invest in land and agriculture,” she said.

She said farmers are using some of their preservation payments from the county to reinvest in more agricultural land.

“That is exactly what we want to see,” she said.

The county pays the potential development value to preserve farms using one of two methods — purchasing a property easement banning all non-agricultural development or buying a farm outright and then either using it for open space or preservation programs, or selling it at auction.

The eight newly bought farms are Ditullio in Mansfield; Black Dog, Bush and Stevenson, all in Pemberton Township; Kucowksi in North Hanover; Alloway Family LP in Shamong; and Haines in Tabernacle.

Last week the county also approved a February auction sale that netted $2.9 million for five farms totaling 731 acres and drew a crowd of 150 people.

Three of those farms are in Springfield. The others are in Hainesport and Shamong. Four are crop farms and Aristone, a horse farm in Shamong, is the first farm ever preserved in that municipality.

Freeholder-Director Bruce Garganio said income from this auction will be used to preserve other farms within the county.

The county finances its purchases with a dedicated property tax of four cents for every $100 of assessed private land in the county.

This tax for farmland, open space and historic preservation was approved by voters and raises millions of tax dollars every year.

Most purchases involve a state matching grant and, in some cases, a lesser match from a municipality.

“By transferring this farmland back into private ownership, the county is helping to ensure the long-term viability of the agricultural industry within it while minimizing the county’s management expense and taxpayer cost,” Garganio said.

Gloucester County farmer Peter Gasko of Monroe paid the most for the auctioned farms— $745,000 for the Ziegler/Walder farm on Juliustown Road in Springfield.

Crop farmer Christopher Probasco of Chesterfield, who already farms many acres in Burlington County, bought the 126-acre BF&W Farm that he already was leasing from the county.

Probasco said he likes to buy farms that need work but have good soil like this one because it can be purchased for less than the cost of a manicured farm.

“We also farm right next to it, so for efficiency reasons it also makes sense and we’ll install some hedgerows and some drainage,” he said.

NJ.com: West Windsor sets a summer opening for restored farmstead

It's not an announcement on preserving a new piece of land. But, having lived in that area for several years, I am familiar with the writer's comments on West Windsor's (way too many) shopping centers, highways and modern subdivisions. There are still some very, very nice parcels there, however, including here.

Originally appeared on NJ.com.

WEST WINDSOR — This township of shopping centers, highways and modern subdivisions can still lay claim to a piece of its past — a big piece, in fact.

Officials say they are very close to finishing a 15-year project to restore a farmhouse property from the 1750s that will offer a step back in time for legions of school children, tourists and history buffs.

The historic Schenck Farmstead on Southfield Road has had a makeover that includes a renovated carriage house, the installation of a one-room schoolhouse moved from another location in the township and rebuilt, and, now, the creation of an education center inside a big barn on the property.

Outside the idyllic homestead that brings to mind thoughts of lemonade and porch swings on warm summer afternoons, the grounds are filled with antique farm machinery, on display for young and old inquiring minds alike.

The barn, once its contents are reorganized, will offer a wealth of other historical items. 
“When we talk about sense of communities, I want people to not only understand the history of West Windsor, but understand the environment, the natural resources we have in West Windsor,” Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh said. “It’s not just demographic or human side. It’s also the environment we live in.”

The work to improve exhibits and offerings at the Schenck house was the fruit of hard-working volunteers and hundreds of thousands of dollars, township officials said.
Steeped in the township’s agricultural history, the farmstead will also be available for weddings and other gatherings.

The gravel entrance gives way to a small sea of farm equipment from the Civil War up to the 1930s. The rusted remains are a reminder of a self-sustaining time when plows were pulled by horses and the barn’s oak beams were masterfully sawed by hand.

The environmental education center is currently being designed inside a portion of the renovated 3,700 square foot red barn by Redmond-Jones and Associates, a Swarthmore, Pa., firm that provides services for museums and other organizations.

Last week, town council approved a resolution to pay Redmond-Jones and Associates $7,500 to develop the concept and design phase of the environmental project at the Schenck barn. The funds come out of the township’s capital improvement fund, business administrator Robert Hary said.

West Windsor land use manager Sam Surtees has been in charge of the renovations to Schenck since it began. And while commercial projects in West Windsor tend to take years, that wasn’t supposed to happen with the Schenck Farmstead.

“I didn’t think it would take this long,” he said.

Surtees gives credit to Hsueh and council for their “slow patience to get it done right,” he said.

The center will display artifacts that date back to a time when farming was a part of everybody’s life, Surtees said. The West Windsor Historical Society and Environmental Commission have been in charge of tagging each item for display.

The environmental center will share space with the artifacts room, where a replica of a general store with historical items like an old cash register, a sales ledger dated July 1900, and a glass case with other treasures will be open to the public.

Additional improvements to the Schenck Farmstead include work done on the 528 square foot carriage house, which is adjacent to the barn, and improvements to the 704 square foot first schoolhouse of West Windsor.

The schoolhouse was originally located on Clarksville Road, opposite the current Maurice Hawk Elementary School, before it was moved to the Schenck Farmstead in the mid 1990s, Surtees said. Much of the original wood had deteriorated, and 80 percent has been restored. Inside, old-fashioned school desks with ink wells are lined in a row, facing a chalkboard and American flag.

Much of the original framework dates back to 1880-1890, Surtees said.
West Windsor Environmental Commission liaison and landscape architect Dan Dobromilsky, said the barn was reconstructed a few years ago, to include electric and a heating and cooling system. Bathrooms and the environmental center are expected to be added by this summer, he said.

Tours of the Schenck Farmstead to be offered on Sundays from 1-4 p.m. are expected to begin this summer.

205 Acres of Farmland Preserved in Cumberland County

Eventually, I want to get down to Cumberland County (as well as Salem County) and explore this area in detail. It seems that, even though only about 16,000 acres have been preserved in Cumberland, there is a lot of open space there still available to preserve. So, what are we waiting for?!

Originally appeared on NJConservation.org

Third generation nurseryman preserves Cumberland farm FAIRFIELD TWP. - Roger Ruske grew up growing landscape plants on his grandfather’s nursery farm in Connecticut. He knew he wasn’t in line to inherit the family property, but he never lost his desire to work “down in the dirt” as a nurseryman. Fate intervened when Ruske and his wife Peggy traveled to South Jersey as a young married couple. “We were driving through Cumberland County and saw this run-down farm for sale,” he recalled. “Within a year my wife and I had bought it, at the grand old age of 22.” That was back in 1967, and the Ruskes have owned Cumberland Nurseries on Route 49 in Fairfield Township ever since. Over the years they’ve expanded the farm by buying contiguous properties. Nearly 45 years later, the Ruskes have permanently preserved 205 acres of farmland. Cumberland County purchased the development rights on the farm, using funding from the State Agriculture Development Committee and New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) grant. The sale of development rights means that, although the Ruskes still own the land, it can never be developed. “It’s good agricultural land and I’d like it to stay that way,” said Ruske, 66. “A lot of (farmers) my age want to make sure their land stays in agriculture. The last thing you want to see on this land you’ve spent your whole life nurturing is someone growing houses.” Preserving land for agriculture, Ruske added, also makes it more affordable for future generations – like his son, Chris, who is taking over the nursery operation, and Chris’ three young children – to become farmers and nurserymen. Cumberland County Freeholder Thomas Sheppard was quick to point out the benefits of this collaborative effort. “By having Cumberland County partner with New Jersey Conservation Foundation, we were able to apply federal funding to this transaction in addition to the continued strong financial support from the State of New Jersey,” he said. “The result of these partnerships is that no Cumberland County funds needed to be spent on the direct preservation of these 205 acres.” Noting that the county has nearly 16,000 acres of permanently preserved farmland, Freeholder Sheppard expressed his strong continued interest in the program. “Open space is for the good of all Cumberland County residents and will be available to our children and grandchildren forever,” he said. Cumberland Nurseries specializes in growing wholesale stock for sale to commercial nurseries and garden centers. “We’re the nurserymen to the nurserymen, so to speak,” said Ruske. Among the nursery’s most popular products are native plants, plants that are deer resistant, and hedge plants that increase privacy for homeowners. The Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program funding comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. “The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program supports the production of locally grown agricultural products in perpetuity,” said Don Pettit, State Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. “We are pleased to have a part in protecting this wonderful farm and its productive soils, knowing that these soils will be available for generations of farmers to come here in New Jersey.” Greg Romano, assistant director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation and head of its land preservation program, said the foundation is happy to allocate part of its Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program grant toward preserving the Ruske farm. “Including the funding for this transaction, New Jersey Conservation Foundation has contributed almost $925,000 to offset Cumberland County’s farmland preservation costs to date,” said Romano, “An additional $2.5 million is scheduled to be granted to the county in the next year, so this is definitely a continuing partnership.” New Jersey Conservation Foundation is a private nonprofit that preserves land and natural resources throughout New Jersey for the benefit of all. Since 1960, it has protected more than 120,000 acres of open space - from the Highlands to the Pine Barrens to the Delaware Bayshore, from farms to forests to urban and suburban parks. For more information about the Foundation’s programs and preserves, go to www.njconservation.org or call 1-888-LAND-SAVE (1-888-526-3728).

Hainesport, Burlington County, Farm Preserved

By Rose Krebs, Burlington County Times


HAINESPORT — The Township Committee has authorized $101,535 to purchase the development rights for the 80-acre Murphy farm off Fenimore Road.
At its meeting Tuesday night, the committee approved the purchase as part of the county’s farmland preservation program. Under the program, municipalities are responsible for 20 percent of the costs.

The price per acre was $7,425, Township Administrator Paul Tuliano said. About 68 acres are in Hainesport and the rest are in Lumberton, Tuliano said. In 2010, the Lumberton Township Committee authorized $17,820 to cover its portion of the costs.

The Murphy farm is the last one in town to be preserved, Mayor Michael Dickinson said.
“The most important thing is our part in keeping New Jersey green and thriving,” Dickinson said.

The farm is near South Jersey Regional Airport and home to D-J Excavating Inc. The family-owned company is a “full-service excavating, hauling and topsoil delivery” business that also rents trash containers, according to its website.

D-J Excavating, which has been in business since 1976, also offers leaf deposit services to various municipalities, including Hainesport, Tuliano said. The farm produces field crops.
“(The farm) is located in a part of town that public sewer and water isn’t permitted,” he said. “The county wanted it (preserved). It’s the last big farm in Hainesport that is not preserved.”
Many homes likely would not have been built on the land because of 5-acre zoning and sewer and water restrictions. Dickinson said officials want to ensure that that part of the town, which borders Mount Laurel and Medford, is preserved in perpetuity.

He said there is commercial development in the area and that officials want to make sure that the farm stays as is.

The Burlington County Board of Freeholders approved the purchase-of-development rights for the farm in 2010 at a cost of $594,000.

Rose Krebs: 609-871-8064; email: rkrebs@phillyBurbs.com; Twitter: @rosekrebs

192-Acre South Brunswick Farm Purchase Finalized

SOUTH BRUNSWICK – The 192-acre, historically important Pulda Farm in South Brunswick has been preserved forever now that the purchase of the land has been finalized, county officials announced Friday.

Middlesex County Freeholder Carol Barrett Bellante spearheaded the move to preserve the land while she served as South Brunswick Deputy Mayor and continued her support as a freeholder. The total cost was $7.5 million, funded by the Township of South Brunswick with $2.5 million in Open Space money and Middlesex County with $2.5 million from its Open Space funds and $2.5 million from its state Green Acres funding.

“This is a great day for Middlesex County,” said Bellante. “This environmentally and historically important land will be saved forever because of the cooperation between the people of South Brunswick, the Township and County and I cannot be more thrilled. Our children and our children’s children are the real benefactors of this action because an important part of our heritage has been preserved.”

The purchase prevents development of the property, which could have been subdivided into 52 residential lots. The land is adjacent to Pigeon Swamp State Forest, the only water supply in Middlesex County with the State Department of Environmental Protection’s most protected status.

The property also has historical significance. It was originally owned by the Van Dyke family, early settlers of South Brunswick in 1652. The property was part of an original land grant from King George III of England. There is documented history of slavery on the farm and slave quarters are still intact.

“By saving Pulda Farm, we continue to preserve the county’s agricultural heritage. The farm is the only Van Dyke homestead remaining in the Davidson Mill Road area and is an example of a mid-19th century farmstead that has been relatively well-preserved, and that has maintained a large portion of land for farming, an activity that reflects the lifestyle of early South Brunswick Township,” Bellante said.

“I am extremely pleased with the Open Space acquisition of the Pulda Farm,” said Mayor Frank Gambatese. “This a true example of county, state and municipal government working together to preserve the quality of life for not only the residents of South Brunswick Township but also the residents of the Central New Jersey Region. This purchase eliminated the potential for the building of 52 single-family homes, which would have impacted our school system and our local environment.”

“This is the right thing to do for the people of Middlesex County,” said Freeholder Director Christopher D. Rafano. “My Freeholder colleagues and I are committed to preserving as much open space as we can to protect the environment and safeguard the county’s agricultural past. With the purchase of the Pulda Farm, we reach those goals and also save our taxpayers money because no additional infrastructure, such as roads and utilities, will have to be built and maintained.”

Read more: http://njtoday.net/2011/02/28/south-brunswick-farm-purchase-finalized/#ixzz1R5w5CuUN
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Four Farms Preserved in Cumberland County

By Lauren T. Taniguchi/The News of Cumberland County 


Four privately owned farms totaling 171 acres in the county were recently preserved by a partnership between Cumberland County, New Jersey Conservation Foundation, the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Cumberland County purchased the development rights on the four farms, which will continue to be privately owned. The farms are: the 70.7-acre Jones farm on Ye Greate Street in Greenwich Township, the 45-acre Newton farm on Old Mill Road in Greenwich Township, the 38-acre Garton farm on Northville Road in Upper Deerfield Township and the 17-acre Kacewich farm on Drunken Bridge and Stow Creek roads in Stow Creek Township.

Through this preservation, the owners have agreed to keep them in agriculture forever, according to a New Jersey Conservation Foundation media release distributed Wednesday.

“We’re very pleased to help Cumberland County preserve these farms, which will maintain the area’s rural, agricultural and scenic character,” said Greg Romano, assistant director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation and head of its land preservation program.

The farmland easement on the Jones farm was purchased for $274,000; the Newton farm easement for $195,850; the Garton farm easement for $195,202 and the Kacewich farm easement for $135,704, totaling $800,576 paid by Cumberland County for farmland easements on the four farms. 

These costs were offset by a $358,389 contribution from New Jersey Conservation Foundation and a $100,065 SADC contribution. The county expects to be reimbursed for the balance of its contribution when more state funds become available.

“We’re glad to have that (federal) money to help preserve farms, especially in the wake of New Jersey not freeing up any bond money yet,” said Cumberland County Freeholder Tom Sheppard, referring to the $400-million bond referendum that was approved by voters in November 2009.

The farmland easements were purchased using part of New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s federal Farm and Ranch Lands Preservation Program (FRPP) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. The FRPP funds were matched by Cumberland County farmland preservation funds for the easement on the Newton, Jones and Kacewich farms and by SADC funds for the easement on the Garton farm.

“The goal of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmland Protection Program is to protect the long-term production capacity of our state’s prime agricultural lands,” said Janice Reid, assistant state conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. “We are especially pleased to help preserve these four farms, which encompass some of the best soils in Cumberland County.”