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EXPLORING WEST AMWELL’S FARMLAND

Most of township is farmland

By Betty Jane Hunt, Special Writer
   This is an introduction to a series of articles, which will appear in The Beacon, about the diverse use of agricultural land in West Amwell Township.
    Of the 14,016 acres that make up the land area in West Amwell, 7,650 acres were farmland assessed in 2006.
   That means there is agricultural activity taking place on over half the acreage in the municipality. Though the number of acres in farmland assessment varies from year to year, the defining land use in West Amwell is farmland and it establishes the community’s character.
   Retaining the rural heritage has consistently been stated as an important goal in the Master Plan by the elected and appointed representatives of the township. However, agriculture doesn’t just happen. It takes hard work, plenty of thought and time, and a personal commitment to produce food, raise animals and grow crops in order for the status as a rural community to be maintained. It takes community support and understanding.
   One of the stated duties of the Agriculture Advisory Committee as established by township ordinance is “to provide educational opportunities for residents to learn about the history of farming in West Amwell, how to support the local farming community, and how to become involved in the agricultural industry.” One of the ways suggested to achieve this goal is through public education on farming operations.
   It is my purpose and that of the other members of the West Amwell Agriculture Advisory Committee (Bill Kiriluk, Dave Miller, Greg Sappington and Chester Urbanski) to showcase the stewards of our land in order to help those in the community not involved in agriculture to understand what they do, how and why they farm, the special challenges they face, etc. Hopefully, our efforts will give all a greater appreciation for our rural land and for the farmer who farms it.
   These articles will not be written in any particular order. We will go back and forth across our township from large- acreage farms to small garden-size plots. Fifty years ago farming was a way of life for landowners. Now many have other full-time jobs, but they still appreciate the land and life of farming enough to go home after a full day to spend their “free time” working the farmland. We will look at the need to have large working farms and the niche that small farms fill in our agricultural framework.
   Beginning next week, we will begin our educational journey by meeting a part-time farming family, which works together to raise chickens, turkeys, ducks, and pigs to provide quality food for themselves and their customers.
   We hope you will join us as we explore West Amwell Township’s farmland together.
    Betty Jane Hunt is a member of the West Amwell Township Agricultural Advisory Committee.