For further information
Contact: Lucia Stout Huebner, (609) 466-0277
Lucia@doorposter.com or
John Hart, (609) 737-2008
Hopewell Township Wins Farmland Preservation Grant
The Hopewell Township Agricultural Advisory Committee is pleased to announce that the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) has accepted the Township's five year Farmland Planning Incentive Grant application and has allocated approximately $8,000,000 over a five year period for easement purchase projects. “This is an excellent source of funds and we are very happy to present landowners with another option for preserving their farmland,” said Township Committeewoman, Marylou Ferrara, liaison to the Agricultural Advisory Committee.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee learned of more good news that properties entering the PIG farmland preservation program will be assessed on the 1998 zoning beyond the deadline of July 2004 of next year.
The New Jersey State Legislature established the Farmland Preservation Planning Incentive Grant (PIG) program in June 1999 to promote long-term viability of agriculture through the preservation of contiguous blocks of farmland. In late 2001, the Hopewell Township Committee passed an ordinance to establish an Agricultural Advisory Committee for the purpose of preserving farmland and promoting agriculture within the Township. The Ag committee has since been very active in pursuing farmland preservation projects, holding Farm Forums and encouraging the agricultural community in the Township.
Working with consulting planners, Andrew Strauss and Michael Bolan, the Agricultural Advisory Committee submitted the PIG application in February 2003 and received approval from the SADC this summer. The Ag Committee identified two prime farmland preservation areas, the central preservation area and the panhandle preservation area. The Ag Committee also submitted a “Five Year Farmland Acquisition Plan.” Hopewell Township is prepared to spend up to $41.8 million of its own funds to complete the acquisition of preservation easements over 6,648 acres of farmland. This acreage consist of 988 acres within the Panhandle Preservation area and 5,660 acres within the Central Preservation area. Both areas contain a high percentage of prime and statewide soils.
Since 1990, the Township has Hopewell Township farmland owners have preserved 1,150 acres through state and county easement purchase programs. Another 1,150 acres are approved and pending closing. Over a period of time, the consolidation of preserved farmland will increase landowner confidence and, along with the growing interest in and success of the sustainable agriculture movement, will spur investment in agricultural enterprises. As Hopewell expands its network of preserved farmland, it will become increasingly clear that Hopewell Township is a farm friendly community.
Township Agricultural Advisory Committee meets at the Municipal Building on the first Tuesday of every month. Members are: Lucia Stout Huebner, Beechtree Farm Chair; John Hart, Hart Farm, Vice Chair; Sherry Dudas, Watershed Organic Farm; Pam Flory, Organic Farmer; Mary Jo Herbert, Hopewell Heritage Farm and Pam Weidel, Boxwood Farm. The committee invites interested members of Hopewell Township to discuss the PIG grant and participate in promoting agriculture in our Township and region.