New Jersey preserves 200,000th acre of farmland

Hunterdon and Warren counties are among state leaders in farmland preservation.

New Jersey has preserved its 200,000th acre of farmland.

Hunterdon County and Readington and Pohatcong townships were recognized for taking lead roles in preservation during a ceremony today in Salem County.

Hunterdon has preserved the most farms of any New Jersey county, Readington has preserved the most farms through the state's Municipal Planning Incentive Grant Program, and Pohatcong has preserved the most acres through that program.

Hunterdon's 29,059 preserved acres is second to Salem's state-leading 29,418. Warren is fourth with 20,529 preserved acres.

"Watch out, Salem. We want that title back," Hunterdon County Freeholder Ron Sworen said during the ceremony at Cassaday Farms in Upper Pittsgrove Township, N.J.. "... Other counties, try to catch us. It is a competition that will benefit all of the residents of New Jersey."

Cassady Farms is one of 2,000 preserved farms in the state. Hunterdon's state-leading total is 357 farms preserved, with 39 more slated for preservation. Warren County has 215 preserved farms, the third most of any New Jersey county.

Farmland preservation programs have governments buy development rights from property owners. Once a farm is preserved, development is forbidden forever.

The state has preserved 58 farms this year. The State Agriculture Development Committee preserved its first farms in 1985.