Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
175-year-old New Jersey farm saved from government confiscation
Farmers Andy and Chris Henry and their attorney Timothy Duggan join “Fox & Friends Weekend” to discuss the government’s attempt to seize their 175-year-old New Jersey farm for affordable housing.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A fight to save a 175-year-old family farm New Jersey is now over after the community and farm owners reached an agreement to prevent half of their land from being converted into affordable housing developments.
“It’s been our legacy for 175 years, and all of my ancestors struggled to get through all sorts of crises – the house burning down, the Great Depression. So to be able to keep it going the way we always wanted is a huge blessing,” said Andy Henry, co-owner and manager of the Henry family farm, who appeared on “Fox & Friends Weekend” with his brother Christopher. participated.
Back in April, the Cranbury Township Committee announced an affordable housing plan that would have allowed local officials to seize the Henry family farm through a significant land seizure.
According to NJ.com, this is due to a New Jersey mandate that requires cities in the state to build more than 146,000 affordable housing units by 2035.
“Cranbury Township was required to build a certain number of affordable housing units over the next ten years. As part of that plan, they selected the Henry Farm to build approximately 130 affordable housing units. We objected, filed a lawsuit, and felt it was not a suitable site for proper use with the power of eminent domain,” Timothy explained Duggan, the family’s attorney, also on Sunday.
Local outlets have reported that court records show the deal was expected to close by the end of the year and that it ultimately came about because of a change in New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency rules that allow the use of other properties in Cranbury.
A family farm in New Jersey was saved after the owners fought a state-mandated affordable housing program.
Before the conflict officially ended, US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins pleaded to stop the land confiscation by posting on X-Thursday that good news was coming, writing: “Andy, you are a warrior!”
Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy released a statement On Thursday, he noted that the family farm is “an essential and deeply valued part of our state’s history” and thanked the Trump administration for its role in protecting the farm.
“I was against it from the start Efforts to seize the Henry family farm through eminent domain. “While every city in New Jersey must do their part to solve our state’s affordable housing crisis, these efforts must be pursued thoughtfully and collaboratively,” Murphy wrote. “New Jersey will always protect its farmers and farmland.” And we always live up to our reputation as the Garden State.”
The Henry brothers thanked their neighbors for their unwavering support.
“I know the residents of Cranbury have helped us tremendously,” Christopher said. “My brother is the manager of our farm and he certainly deserves a lot of credit. He was there in April when we received the letter. I know he was working with Secretary Rollins and other people. There were just a lot of people with great concern who helped us along the way and we are extremely grateful to all of them.”
The Henry family purchased the farm in 1850 and for years rejected developers in order to keep the property in the family. They mainly raise cattle and sheep, but have also previously looked after chickens and goats.
When asked what they like best about the farm, Christopher replied: “I think just the feeling of being there again, since Andy and I grew up there. Just a feel for the history and the people who lived there, a lot of photos that we have. You know, my mom and dad were a big part of it, I know they wanted to keep the thing in the family. It’s just a feel for the history and everything that comes with it, I think comes with it.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
