Jon Stewart Wants to Buy Colts Neck Farm, Turn it into Animal Sanctuary

Colts Neck, NJ - Jon Stewart and his wife, Tracey, already own an animal farm sanctuary in Middletown, but now the couple is looking to expand: They want to buy the historic Hockhockson Farm on Rt. 537 in Colts Neck, and turn it into a working farm and animal sanctuary.

The 45-acre Hockhockson Farm is currently owned by Robert Cooke III, who lives on the property. However, Jon and Tracey Stewart’s entity, the JTS Land Trust, is in contract to buy the property, reports the Two River Times. JTS Land Trust has filed paperwork with the Colts Neck planning office.

In fact, JTS Land Trust is scheduled to appear Tuesday, April 5, before the Monmouth County Agriculture Development Board, where they will seek the board's approval to turn the property into a commercial farm.

Similar to their farm sanctuary in Middletown, Tracey and Jon Stewart want to house rescued farm animals at Hockhockson Farm, and raise and sell crops there. They also want to build a visitors' center on site, and build an agricultural education center. That's what they need the county Agriculture Development Board to approve. The board will hear their application at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5 at the county Agricultural Building, 4000 Kozloski Road in Freehold Township.

Hockhockson Farm currently used to board horses

The farm, located Laird and Swimming River roads in Colts Neck, is currently being used to board horses, as well as to grow vegetables and flowers.

Under the Stewarts' proposal, four to six cows, two to four pigs, six to 10 sheep, six to 10 goats, two to four horses and up to 50 chickens would live there, and all would be rescued farm animals. Tracey Stewart, a vegan, is passionate about rescuing farm animals that would otherwise go to slaughter houses.

“Abused farm animals rescued from slaughter houses, kill piles, live markets and roadsides would be housed and rehabilitated at the farm,” according to the applicant’s paperwork, reports the Two River Times. “The animals would live out their natural lives experiencing individual care and compassion by a licensed veterinarian.”

The Stewarts bought their 12-acre farm in Middletown in 2013, and it is now open to the public by appointment. Tracey said she and her husband hope school groups will come to the farm.

Tracey and Jon Stewart live in Red Bank. Read the full article here.