(SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County safeguarded a 7-acre farm located in South Brunswick Township through the Farmland Preservation Program on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. The County, in partnership with the state and the Township of South Brunswick, purchased the development rights for the farmland located on Davidsons Mill Road, owned by Candice Howard and Thomas Brys, of South Brunswick Township, for $235,438. The State contributed $141,262.80, the County paid $47,087.60, and South Brunswick Township paid $47,087.60 towards the purchase.
“Middlesex County continues its steadfast commitment to conserving the natural beauty in each of our communities, and this acquisition is yet another testament to that,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “Preserving farmland and open space is crucial for sustaining abundant natural resources for future generations.”
“Every year we do our part to preserve farmlands and natural areas for a more sustainable future, and to uphold New Jersey’s namesake as the Garden State,” said County Commissioner Charles E. Tomaro, chair of the County’s infrastructure management committee. “With thousands of acres of farmland already safeguarded, we are demonstrating our commitment to land preservation, and these investments are crucial for a prosperous future.”
With the addition of this farm, more than 5,494 acres of farmland have been preserved throughout the County, of which 3,781 acres have been specifically preserved through the Farmland Preservation Program. The nearly 5,500 acres include state-owned lands, preservations easements purchased through County Farmland Preservation Program funds, and acquisitions made directly by the state, municipalities, and a non-profit organization.
Middlesex County’s Farmland Preservation Program purchases the non-agriculture development rights on farmland that meets criteria established by the Middlesex County Agriculture Development Board and the New Jersey State Agriculture Development Committee. The value is determined by two independent appraisals, and the farmland is preserved by placing an agriculture preservation easement on the property. The state, County, and municipality share the cost of the farms’ development rights, with the state contributing much of the purchase price. Middlesex County’s program is strictly voluntary; farmland owners interested in participating in the program must submit a formal application to the Middlesex County Agriculture Development Board. Farm owners interested in the program can contact Laurie Sobel, supervising planner, of the Middlesex County Office of Planning at 732-745-4014 or Brady Smith, senior environmental planner at 732-745-3843.
Middlesex County is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies, three universities, 19 park systems, and world-class healthcare and research facilities making it one of the nation’s most dynamic regions and a leader in technology, transportation, the arts, and food innovation. As one of the most diverse populations in the country, Middlesex County is home to over 860,000 residents living throughout 25 municipalities. The County's award-winning Middlesex County Magnet Schools system and two-year Middlesex College uphold its position as #1 in the state for best schools, offering secondary and postsecondary education and workforce development programs that create a unique ecosystem where opportunities abound. Conveniently located between New York and Philadelphia, Middlesex County is a leading destination for businesses and residents alike to live, work, and play – and has been since the 17th century.
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