Two More Year-End Purchases in East Amwell

Once again, East Amwell in Hunterdon County makes news for land preservation. I would love to live there, but I doubt I ever could afford it!

This is an official D&R Greenway Land Trust press release:

Two properties add to Preservation of D&R Greenway's Cattail Brook Preserve in East Amwell Township, Hunterdon County This is the Second in a Series of Three Announcements of Newly Preserved Land Stay tuned for the last announcement! Importance of Habitat The properties contain many hardwood trees including tulip, oaks, black gum, hickories and includes great groves of beech trees.  There is an equally rich mixture of understory trees, even including a small stand of the rare Paw-paw tree.    Native understory includes spice bush, viburnums, witch hazel and many other desireable shrubs and native wildflowers.  The properties will be managed for public recreation and the enhancement of habitat for interior forest species like Barred owl, Scarlet tanager, Pileated woodpecker and many other species that require large intact forested habitats. Once again, our incredible partners in East Amwell Township joined up with D&R Greenway Land Trust to continue preserving lands in their community. The two wooded interior parcels add 10 acres to the lands permanently protected at our Cattail Brook Preserve in the Sourland Mountains. D&R Greenway now owns 137 acres of woodland and Somerset County owns almost 200 acres of contiguous woodland, creating a significant interior woodland preserve. The properties are prime examples of some of the finest mature upland forest in the Sourlands. A private donor gave 50% of the acquisition cost to enable this preservation. Thank you to our partner, East Amwell Township.  D&R Greenway Land Trust at the Johnson Education Center One Preservation Place Princeton, NJ 08540 www.drgreenway.org 609-924-4646

'Pony Farm' Preserved in Bedminster

It may seem a 13.3-acre estate may pale in comparison to the 5,000-plus acre monolith just recently preserved down in the Pinelands. And, you would be right. However, considering the tony locale of Bedminster (it's home to such big names as both the now-ex-general manager for the New York Jets and its possibly-soon-to-be-ex headline grabbing second or third string quarterback Tim Tebow ... wait, that's Bernardsville. This is where Jets owner Woody Johnson and the other quarterback live. Whatever, they're all rich), this is definitely a big deal. Because, while land amid the Pinelands may have had development here and there, land in Bedminster is far more monetarily valuable.

The short answer is, yes, this is important. Every acre counts, especially to an acre whore like me.

This originally appeared in Bernardsville News:

The “Pony Farm” - so named because Shetland ponies were once raised there - is located across the road from the McCann Mill Road intersection, within a bend of the Black River. Its preservation completes the protection of 228 contiguous acres of open space and farmland - and over 1,000 preserved acres in the immediate area.

The newly preserved property includes meadows that are now public open space, and a century-old Sears Roebuck kit house that can only be used as offices for small, nonprofit environmental groups.

Bedminster Township and the nonprofit Lamington Conservancy jointly purchased the Pony Farm on Thursday, Dec. 20, from the Brady Foundation.

“Everything the property touches and everything across the street from it was already preserved,” explained outgoing Mayor Robert Holtaway, who advocated for the preservation. “Now we have the Pony Farm and we’re very pleased.”

“The Pony Farm is in the heart of the Lamington Conservancy’s preservation area, so we were excited to be able to use a state Green Acres grant to help Bedminster Township purchase this historic property,” said Alexandra Allen, president of the Lamington Conservancy.

 “The 13-plus acres are surrounded by preserved open space and add to the corridor of protected land along the Lamington River,” added Allen.” The preservation of this property made tremendous sense and is wonderful for the community.”

‘Great History’

“We’re very happy about what has happened here,” said James C. Brady, whose family owned the land for four generations. “There’s a great history on this property.”

 In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the property was part of the farm owned by John Honeyman, believed to be a Revolutionary War double-agent who provided false information to the Hessians to help George Washington win the pivotal Battle of Trenton in 1776. Honeyman settled in Bedminster after the war and became a local legend.

Later, the land became part of Hamilton Farm, the 5,000-acre grand estate assembled by financier James Cox Brady at the turn of the last century. As its name suggests, the Pony Farm was the section of Hamilton Farm on which Brady’s famous show ponies were raised.

 Hamilton Farm covered parts of Somerset, Morris and Hunterdon counties and was one of New Jersey’s largest working farms in the early to mid-1900s. Its heyday was brief, however, and much of the Hamilton Farm property has since been sold – including more than 1,000 acres for open space preservation and use by nonprofit groups.

The Brady Foundation approached Bedminster Township last summer about buying the Pony Farm, and New Jersey Conservation Foundation - which serves as land preservation advisor to the township - began working to secure funding.

Bedminster and the Lamington Conservancy each used state Green Acres funds toward the $703,333 purchase, and the township also used funding from its municipal open space trust fund.

Bedminster contributed $423,333 toward the preservation, including $247,500 in state Green Acres funds and $175,833 from its municipal open space trust fund, while the Lamington Conservancy contributed $280,000 from its Green Acres grant.

Holtaway said the Brady Foundation originally intended to demolish the house, leaving nothing but open space. “Then it was brought to my attention that it was a (Sears Roebuck) craftsman house, essentially intact,” he said.

Because of the historic significance of Sears Roebuck houses - which were sold in ready-to-build kits from 1908 to 1940 - Holtaway requested that the house be preserved. The Brady Foundation agreed to use funds that would have been spent demolishing the house to improve it instead. They installed a new well and septic system, and repaired the slate roof.

The township has rented the newly renovated house to North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development, a small environmental nonprofit previously located in Flemington. The land surrounding the house will be open to the public for hiking and other passive recreation.

Michael Catania, president of Conservation Resources Inc. of Chester and an open space advisor to the Brady family for more than 20 years, called the sale “a model transaction in today’s open space environment.”

For generations, Catania said, “the Brady family has been a model of responsible stewardship of the land, as well as visionary conservationists, which has been a great benefit to the community and I salute their legacy.”

 Michele S. Byers, executive director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation, also praised the Bradys’ land conservation ethic.

 “Thanks to their generosity, the Pony Farm is taking its place among Bedminster’s preserved lands,” she said. “Not only is a scenic and historic view preserved, but the water quality in the Black River is protected by having no further building on the property.”

 Other preserved properties immediately surrounding the Pony Farm include 78 acres of riverfront land purchased from the Brady family in 2005, another 18-acre riverside property known as “The Caves,” and 119 acres of preserved farmland to the east.

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.

Salem County Town Adding 17 Acres to Park

Be vewy qwiet, I'm hunting open space.

Sorry.

This article originally appeared in South Jersey Times.

Officials will look to expand Elmer Community Park with new open space purchase

ELMER — Though Salem County currently leads the state in total acres of preserved farmland under the New Jersey Farmland Preservation Program, local and county officials this week announced the first major “open space” acquisition in the county.

Salem County freeholders, in cooperation with officials in Elmer and Upper Pittsgrove, have reached an agreement to set aside 17 acres of land in Elmer as open space, with the goal of eventually expanding Elmer Community Park.

According to Upper Pittsgrove Mayor Jack Cimprich, his township had been looking to preserve a 117 acre piece of property known as the “Anthony Estate Farm.”

Most of the farm — roughly 100 acres — falls in Upper Pittsgrove, but 17 acres of the land is located in eastern Elmer, along Harding Highway adjacent to the borough’s baseball fields.

“We were looking at preserving the entire property as farmland,” said Cimprich. “But when (Deputy Freeholder Director) Ben Laury took me out there to walk the property, he pointed out that the Elmer parcel could be preserved as open space and used to expand Elmer Community Park — providing much-needed space for all our residents.”

As a result, the decision was made to move forward with sectioning off the 17-acres to set aside the parcel as open space, marking the first major open space project for Salem County, officials said.

Since 2002, two-cents of every tax dollar paid by Salem County taxpayers has been directed into a fund for open space and farmland preservation. Until this point, however, those funds have been used exclusively toward funding farmland preservation.

The 17-acre parcel will cost $160,000 to purchase. Fifty-percent of the cost, or $80,000, will be provided through a state grant under the New Jersey Green Acres program. An additional $40,000 will be provided through the county’s dedicated fund, and the remaining $40,000 will be funded by Elmer.

According to Elmer Councilman Steve Schalick, the borough became interested in the property nearly five years ago when it was put up for sale.

“We looked at it then, and thought it would be a good place to expand the park,” said Schalick.

Freeholder Lee Ware — liaison to county Agricultural Development Board, which oversees farmland preservation and open space programs — said obtaining the property marked a win for everyone involved.

“This is a good thing for Elmer and a good thing for the county,” said Ware. “It’s a win all around, and it fits in perfectly with everyone’s master plans.”

Laury added that an expanded park in Elmer will benefit all Salem County residents.

“This park expansion gives residents throughout the area access to a large open space for athletic fields to promote healthy activities," he said. "We are proud to work with all the interested parties in finding a way to give our neighbors a gift we can all share.”

The remaining 100-acres of the Anthony Estate are still slated to enter into farmland preservation, though that part of the process is still in the works, officials said.

36 Acres Preserved in Harmony Township, Warren County

With a name like "Harmony," you know it has to be good. 
This post originally appeared on Warren Reporter.

Recently preserved land in Warren County connects local hiking trails

J. Scott Morrison was a man who appreciated the outdoors, having owned a farm in Hunterdon County after growing up in the rolling hills of Virginia.

After Morrison’s death earlier this year at the age of 76, there was never a question in his three children’s minds that a wooded 36-acre parcel he owned in Harmony Township should be preserved.

New Jersey Conservation Foundation purchased the Morrison property on Oct. 12, expanding a green belt of preserved land and allowing for local hiking trail connections.

“I think my father would be proud of the choice we made,” said daughter Cindy Morrison of Sarasota, Fla. “He always appreciated beautiful land. I’m glad it’s going to be preserved.”

Using grants from Warren County and the state Green Acres program, New Jersey Conservation Foundation purchased the property on Scotts Mountain, between Harmony Brass Castle and Fiddler’s Elbow roads, for $177,500.

The Morrison family sold the property at a “bargain sale” price, or below market value. “It’s what we all wanted to do,” said Cindy Morrison. “It’s a good thing to do.”

The property, which has an existing unpaved lane, is now open to the general public for passive recreational activities like hiking and bird watching.

The property will be linked with a hiking trail on an adjacent New Jersey Conservation Foundation property connecting to the Merrill Creek Reservoir trail system. Nearby are nearly 500 acres of preserved state lands, known as the Warren County Trail State Park.

“The Green Acres Program is happy to have assisted the New Jersey Conservation Foundation in completing this important acquisition,” said Martha Sapp, acting administrator of the Green Acres program. “We continue to work with our partners to protect the streams and natural areas near Scott’s Mountain, the Merrill Creek Reservoir, and throughout the Highlands.”

“Partnering with the New Jersey Conservation Foundation has been very beneficial to the public in term of our recreational directives in the county,” said Warren County Freeholder Richard D. Gardner, liaison to the county’s Municipal and Charitable Conservancies Trust Fund Committee.

“By partnering with New Jersey Conservation Foundation on this project, the County was able to leverage its investment in open space and contribute only a fraction towards the cost of permanently preserving this property,” added Corey J. Tierney, administrator of the Warren County Department of Land Preservation. “Not only do they deserve special thanks for all of their hard work on this project, but for their continuing commitment to preserving natural lands throughout Warren County.”

Preservation of the property protects local water quality and flood control efforts. The pristine Lopatcong Creek flows through it, ultimately making its way into the Delaware River. A small pond on the upper reaches of the Lopatcong Creek helps trap sediment from the top of the mountain.

The land contains a healthy forest with a diverse array of plant and animal species and is known as home to many endangered species, including barred owl, bobcat and red-shouldered hawk.

For more information about New Jersey Conservation Foundation and its programs and preserves, visit njconservation.org or call 1-888-LANDSAVE (1-888-526-3728).

West Orange Letting Nature Take Over on 10,000 Sq. Ft. Parcel

Here's one more we somehow missed last summer. At 10,000 square feet, this plot is less than 1/4 an acre, but we appreciate that West Orange plans to just let nature take its course there.

This article was originally posted on West Orange Patch.

West Orange Adds to Its Open Space

The amount of open space in West Orange continues to grow. 

The property at 7 Belgrade Terrace was acquired by the township at the beginning of July. The 10,000 square-foot lot was purchased for approximately $60,000 using money from the Open Space Trust Fund and the township. 

The township should receive a reimbursement of at least half of the purchase price from New Jersey Green Acres Planning Incentive Grant. 

Municipal Engineer Leonard Lepore said that said the township was in communication with the neighbors on Belgrade Terrace and they supported the purchase. 

By purchasing the property, Lepore said it prevents anyone from removing trees, which could negatively affect water runoff in the surrounding area. 

“West Orange has long supported open space preservation for our growing conservation and recreation needs,” wrote Mayor Robert Parisi in a press release. “A permanent deed restriction on land helps preserve historic, scenic and recreational areas of our Township.”

The township owns two other lots on the street at 15 and 19 Belgrade Terrace, and both are also about 10,000 square feet. These other two properties were acquired in a swap with the property owner in an effort to prevent development on the properties, said Lepore.  

“In this one we will just let nature keep taking over,” said Lepore, “because that’s what it is now.” 

Former Auction Site in Swedesboro Preserved

Somehow we missed this back in July. Alas. It's a small purchase, but as we once saw on press material for one town's preservation organization, "Every Acre Counts."

This originally was posted on the Gloucester County Times

Gloucester County, Swedesboro to preserve former auction site on Leahy Avenue

The former Swedesboro Auction property is located on Leahy Avenue.

SWEDESBORO — Swedesboro officials have big plans for the Swedesboro Auction property, a three-acre tract of land on Leahy Avenue that wasincorporated into the county’s open space plan this week.

“We are only three-quarters of a square mile, but we are rich in history,” said Diane Hale, a Swedesboro councilwoman.

Until the mid 1990s, area farmers would bring their produce to the Swedesboro market to be sold. Campbell’s Soup Co. was known to make its tomato soup with tomatoes grown at borough farms.

To preserve the history, the county chipped in about $255,000 to the borough’s $85,000 to purchase the land from Swedesboro Auction, Inc. The Gloucester County Freeholders voted to authorize the payment and will incorporate the land into the Open Space Preservation Program.

When the property settlement is complete, the borough will own it, leaving Hale and the Economic Development Commission to enact plans for the plot.

“We’re going to make it into a park and do some history so people can see it,” said Helen Fromm, member of the town’s economic development commission.

While the plans are only rough sketches of what the group envisions, Fromm said the site could include historical information about Swedesboro and Woolwich’s agricultural heritage. Plus, the site — which includes several buildings where farmers would showcase and bid on produce — could be transformed into a music venue or temporary ice skating rink in the winter.

Marco Lentini, a member of the borough economic development commission, said the reinvigoration of Swedesboro shouldn’t stop at its downtown area.

“You have a revitalization of downtown,” he said. “But you can’t neglect other parts of Swedesboro.”

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.”

343 Acres Added to Sourland Mountain Preserve

Hooray, more land taken from Bryce Thompson Land and put into permanent preservation! Of course, they get a tidy sum for their generosity, but we cannot look a preserved horse in the mouth, can we?

This was originally posted on NJ.com.

Ribbon cutting ceremony for newest Sourlands acquisition is Oct. 16 in Hillsborough

Somerset County and Hillsborough Township officials, along with representatives from the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at noon, to celebrate the addition of another 343 acres to the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Rain date for the event is Oct. 17 at noon.

Due to accessibility issues with the tract itself, the ceremony will be held at the Hillsborough Golf & Country Club, directly across from the property. For GPS and online mapping, the address is 146 Wertsville Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844. Or for directions go to bit.ly/HillsbOpenSpace. Upon arriving, proceed up the driveway to the parking area next to the clubhouse. The ceremony will be held a few yards past the clubhouse.

The property will be permanently preserved as open space. The New Jersey Conservation Foundation has secured an option agreement to purchase the property from landowner Bryce Thompson and will transfer the agreement to the county.

The 343 acres, which are made up of several tracts in Hillsborough Township near the intersection of Wertsville and Montgomery roads, are contiguous to other open space lands acquired by Somerset County in recent years and will encourage the expansion of the Sourlands Preserve to the Hunterdon County border, where many local, county and nonprofit preservation initiatives are currently underway.

For information or further directions, contact Linda Van Zandt in the Somerset County Public Information Office at 908-231-7020 or publicinfo@co.somerset.nj.us.

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.

South Brunswick Preserves 36 Acres

A little love for Patch.com, where this story comes from.

Township Acquires 36 Acres of Open Space

In an ongoing effort to stave off development and preserve South Brunswick's rural character, the Township Council last week approved the joint purchase of 36 acres of open space on Davidson Mill Road.

The township contributed $275,000 from the Open Space Trust Fund for the purchase, with Middlesex County matching South Brunswick's 20 percent contribution and the state chipping in the remaining 60 percent of the cost. The newly preserved Voight Farm lies adjacent to the recently preserved 229 acre Van Dyke Farm.

"These large parcels of land face development pressure," said Deputy Mayor Chris Killmurray. "More open space is something that's important for the township and the area as a whole."

The purchase followed the addition by the county in May of about 40 acres of open space from the Himmell Property. That parcel, located in the area of Broadway Road and Friendship Road, joins together with the existing Ireland Brook Conservation Area to create 484 acres of contiguous, undeveloped land.

County officials said the purchase fell in line with the Open Space Master Plan’s objective of pursuing properties that can be added to existing parkland.

“Since 1995, Middlesex County has made land preservation a top priority,” said Freeholder Director Christopher D. Rafano.  “With the support of constituents, both the Freeholders and the Middlesex County Improvement Authority have worked tirelessly to protect what remains of our undeveloped lands. In doing so, we’ve been able to preserve forever 7,457 acres of open space property to date.”

In the last 8 years, South Brunswick has added over 2,000 acres of open space.

"(The Open Space Trust Fund) is an important tool we have and that we should use," said Councilman Joseph Camarota. "Farms are disappearing. This (purchase) preserves farmland and stops development."

200,000 Acres Preserved!

We hope they are not just blowing smoke up our skirts when they say land preservation is a non-partisan issue.

This article originally appeared on PhillyBurbs.com.

County lauded as farmland preservation leader as state saves 200,000th acre

As the Garden State celebrated the milestone of preserving its 200,000th acre of farmland Tuesday, Burlington County was recognized as a leader in the race to protect it.

Burlington is the leader in the number of preserved farms and the total farmland acreage saved under the county grants program of the state's Farmland Preservation Program, state officials said. It also ranks among the top 10 in the country for preserved farmland.

To date, Burlington County has preserved 171 farms and a total of 21,191 acres through the program. The county ranks third in the state, behind Salem and Hunterdon, when all state preservation programs are considered.

New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Douglas H. Fisher recognized the county’s efforts Tuesday during a ceremony in Upper Pittsgrove, Salem County, where he and farmland preservation leaders celebrated the 200,000th acre preserved statewide.

The Cassaday Farm, one of the largest vegetable farms in the state, became the latest of more than 2,000 preserved farms in New Jersey.

“The preservation of 200,000 acres of farmland is an extraordinary achievement that underscores New Jersey’s continued reputation as a national leader in farmland preservation,” Fisher said. “This accomplishment would not have been possible without the strong commitment of all the farmland preservation partners — all levels of government, the nonprofit community, farm owners and the voters, who have consistently supported farmland preservation funding.”

More than 10 percent of the 200,000 acres is in Burlington County, which began its preservation efforts in 1985 and has been supported since 1996 by a dedicated tax overwhelmingly approved by voters at the polls.

The county currently collects a voter-approved 4 cents per $100 of assessed property value to support its program of farmland and historic preservation, open space acquisition and park development.

Through its highly ranked and well-regarded program, the county buys the development rights to farmland, deed-restricts the property to eliminate the threat of residential or commercial development, and then auctions the land to return it to private ownership and agricultural production. Proceeds of the sale help replenish the fund for future acquisitions.

“Agriculture contributes mightily to the economy in Burlington County, so preserving farmland preserves farming as an industry,” said Bruce Garganio, director of the Burlington County Board of Freeholders, on Tuesday. “At the same time, it’s been proven time and again that saving farmland, and keeping it on the property tax rolls, saves tax dollars, especially if the alternative is sprawling residential development.”

The State Agriculture Development Committee administers New Jersey’s Farmland Preservation Program, which was established in 1983. The first farms were saved in 1985.

The county has been aggressively pursuing farmland since 1985, when the threat of development of 500 acres in Chesterfield sparked the freeholders to take action.

“They were really concerned about the rapid pace of development and loss of farmland in the county,” said Mary Pat Robbie, director of the county's Department of Resource Conservation. “The pace of acquisition really picked up after 1996, when voters approved the first tax.”

While the county has set aside about 22,000 acres as part of the state Farmland Preservation Program, it has saved a total of about 25,000 acres when other programs are considered, including preserved Pinelands farms and those protected under the transfer of development rights (TDR) program, Robbie said.

“Our goal is to preserve 40,000 acres,” she said. “We’re getting close, and there is still a lot of interest. We probably have about 2,500 acres in the pipeline right now. Burlington County has always been looked upon as leaders in farmland preservation and something we can all be proud of.”

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.

44 Wooded Acres Preserved on Schooley's Mountain, Morris County

I have a work associate that lives in this area, and I am supremely jealous.

Original press release courtesy NJConservation.org:

 WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – The green belt of preserved land on Schooley’s Mountain is growing, thanks to New Jersey Conservation Foundation and its partners.

New Jersey Conservation Foundation, a private nonprofit organization, just purchased a 44-acre property off Zellers Road. The parcel is surrounded by more than 1,000 acres of preserved farmland and open space.

“We’re very pleased to add this property to the impressive inventory of preserved land in the Schooley’s Mountain area, and make it available to the public for passive recreation like hiking and nature observation,” said Michele S. Byers, executive director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation.

The property was purchased for $370,000, using funding from the Morris County Preservation Trust, the Victoria Foundation, the state Green Acres Program and the Washington Township Land Trust. The Teetertown Brook, a pristine, trout-producing tributary of the South Branch of the Raritan River, flows through the property. The South Branch is a drinking water supply for more than 1.5 million New Jersey residents.

 “The Morris County freeholders are delighted to partner in this project with these groups who value, as we do, the preservation of open space and the protection of our essential water resources,” commented Freeholder Ann Grossi.

The wooded property includes habitat for several endangered and threatened species, including the bobcat, barred owl and longtail salamander. The Newark-based Victoria Foundation, in addition to providing funding toward the purchase of the property, also gave $10,000 to assist with the stewardship of the land.

 “Victoria Foundation is firmly committed to open space preservation and stewardship, particularly for protecting water quality,” said Dale Robinson Anglin, senior program officer with Victoria Foundation. “We are pleased to continue our long-term partnership with the New Jersey Conservation Foundation to preserve this critically important property.”

The property is located near the Columbia Trail and Hunterdon County’s Teetertown Preserve, and is a short distance southwest of New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s Drakestown preserve, also in Washington Township. It is located in the “Special Environmental Zone” designated in the Highlands Regional Master Plan, meaning it has the highest priority ranking for preservation.

“The Washington Township Land Trust is delighted to use part of our state Green Acres grant toward this purchase of this property, which will provide recreation while protecting wildlife habitat and our water supply,” said Karen Richards, president of the land trust.

New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s mission is to preserve land and natural resources throughout New Jersey for the benefit of all. Since 1960, the Foundation has helped preserve more than 120,000 acres of open space and farmland. For more information on the Foundation’s programs and preserves, visit www.njconservation.org or call 1-888-LAND-SAVE (1-888-526-3728).

Princeton Nurseries, 1,900 Acres, Preserved

This is a big, big, big one that pretty much anyone in the know already knows about. But, since this is a site of record, and we are definitely acre whores around here, it's certainly one that must be included.

This article originally appeared in Times of Trenton. Photograph by Michael Mancuso:

A wide swath of rolling hills and rich farmland in three counties ... will will be permanently preserved after the state finalized a $28 million purchase yesterday from a family that cultivated the land for generations.

The land runs in large part along Crosswicks Creek and stretches across 1,900 acres in Mercer, Monmouth and Burlington counties, the Department of Environmental Protection said. It will be used for open space, farms and wildlife refuges.

“This has been a long time in the works, and this is a wonderful opportunity for the central part of New Jersey,” DEP spokesman Larry Hajna said. “It’s beautiful property, surrounded by rolling countryside, and we’re going to preserve some spectacular scenery.”

The terrain covers nearly three square miles, including the largest portion in Upper Freehold and the rest in Hamilton and North Hanover. It was previously part of Princeton Nurseries, once one of the largest commercial plant nurseries in the country.

Founded by the Flemer family in 1913, the company moved to Allentown in the 1980s and its former properties were gradually developed, sold to Princeton University and other buyers or targeted for preservation.

“Future generations of farmers and nature lovers will together enjoy these beautiful lands that have meant so much to the William Flemer and John Flemer families,” the family said in a DEP news release. “We are grateful to the people of the state of New Jersey for their support of the preservation of precious open space and irreplaceable farmland in our state.”

Covering an area where the three counties meet, the purchase will help connect thousands of acres of existing county park lands and greenways along the creek, the DEP said. It includes grasslands, mature forests and forested wetland, and recreational activities such as hiking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting and bicycle riding will be available throughout.

More than 1,000 acres will be preserved as open space, including a 512-acre state wildlife management area, which will be overseen by the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife. An additional 847 acres will be permanently available for agricultural uses thanks to the acquisition of development rights on the land, the agency said.

“Everyone always kind of had their eye on this property for preservation, but not until (the Flemer family members) were ready did we pursue anything,” said Renee Jones, a spokeswoman for the DEP’s Green Acres program. “We had many, many, many meetings about how to divide out the property, about what the owners wanted to keep as farmland versus what they wanted as open space.”

Funding came from several sources, including Green Acres Program, the State Agriculture Development Committee and Burlington and Monmouth counties. Mercer County contributed $1.6 million, according to the law firm Drinker Biddle, whose Princeton office represented the Flemer family in the deal.

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.