11-Acre Monroe Horse Farm Preserved As Open Space

MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ — A 17-acre horse farm in Monroe Township was just formalized this week as preserved land under the Middlesex County Farmland Preservation Program.

The farm, pictured above, is known as J.B. Heatherwood Farms and is owned by Melissa Beck-Callanan of Monroe Township. It is located on Gravel Hill-Spotswood Road.

Middlesex County, with its funds and contributions from the state of New Jersey and Monroe Twp., purchased an agriculture preservation easement for the land at $405,163.20. The state contributed $243,097.92. Middlesex County and Monroe Twp. each paid $81,032.64.

The purchase was completed March 19, 2018. This is now the 55th farm to be preserved as "forever open space" in Middlesex County, and the 11th farm in Monroe Twp. alone.

“I thank Monroe Township and the many families who have partnered with us over the years to save our precious lands and farming tradition,” said Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios.

This acquisition brings the County’s total amount of preserved farmland through the Farmland Preservation Program to 4,943 acres. Over 632 of these preserved acres are located in Monroe Township.

Overall, with the addition of this farm, more than 5,488 acres of farmland, have been preserved throughout Middlesex County.

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. The farmland is preserved by placing an agriculture preservation easement on the property. The state, county and town share the cost of the farms’ development rights, with the state paying the majority 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 County Agriculture Development Board. Farm owners interested in the program can contact Laurie Sobel, Senior Environmental Planner, of the Middlesex County Office of Planning at 732-745-4014.

Photos provided by Middlesex County.