Deputy Mayor Steve Alexander accepted an award from the state that recognized Upper Freehold for having preserved 9,219 acres of farmland, the most of any New Jersey municipality. Shown from left at the Oct. 9 ceremony in Upper Pittsgrove are: state Sen. Stephen Sweeney, state Agriculture Development Committee Executive Director Susan Payne, Mr. Alexander, Agriculture Secretary Douglas Fisher, Salem County Freeholder Director Julie Acton, Deputy Freeholder Director Ben Laury, Keep It Green Coordinator Kelly Mooij, and Upper Pittsgrove Mayor Jack Cimprich.

