For Immediate Release:
May 31, 2016

HOWELL, NJ – The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders closed a transaction on an agricultural easement last week of the 68-acre Thompson farm.

“Preserving farmland and acquiring open space are two critical pieces of protecting our environment and retaining its natural character,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, who is liaison to the Planning Board. “It is no coincidence that Thompson farm is adjacent to Meade farm, which was the first farm preserved in Monmouth County 29 years ago. Mr. Thompson’s heirs are to be commended for honoring their father by protecting the land on which he toiled for many years.”

The County’s Farmland Preservation Program helps maintain the viability of agriculture in the region by securing agricultural easement agreements with interested landowners. The process retires the development rights to farms and ensures that the lands remain devoted to agricultural use.

“An important part of Monmouth County’s culture is its reputation for agriculture,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso, who serves as the freeholder representative on the County’s Planning Board. “Maintaining the farming landscape through the preservation program is a sound planning concept. The owners of the property and Howell Township were very cooperative in ensuring the farm’s natural appearance is retained. Maintaining open space is an important concept that was instilled by previous generations and will continue for generations in the future.”

The easement purchase project involved a financial partnership among the County, Howell Township, and the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC).

“The County’s 24 percent share of the purchase came from the County’s Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund,” said Burry. “Howell’s portion was funded out of its open space and farmland preservation trust fund along with a grant from the State through the Municipal Planning Incentive Grant Program.”

The SADC share was approximately 60 percent and Howell put forth 16 percent. The total cost to purchase the development rights to the Thompson Farm was $1,158,268.

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