HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP: Town, county in line for farmland money

By John Tredrea, Special Wrter
   Hopewell Township Deputy Mayor Jim Burd has hailed as good news the Garden State Preservation Trust’s approval of $1.5 million in planning incentive grants, for farmland preservation, to the township and Mercer County.
   The county would receive $1 million, while the township would get $500,000 if the grants are approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Chris Christie.
   ”Virtually all the municipalities in Mercer County used to be primarily farmland,” Mr. Burd said Tuesday.
   ”As time progressed, housing developments began to overtake the agricultural configuration. Hopewell Township is one of the few communities that has made a concerted effort to preserve its farms, and this can only be done with the financial assistance of the state Agricultural Development Committee, Mercer County’s Farmland Preservation program, as well as private nonprofit land preservation groups. Hopewell Township certainly appreciates such assistance as we strive to maintain our historic farming character that makes us so unique,” Mr. Burd said.
   . The Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) approved a request, from the state Agricultural Development Committee (SADC) for the $1.5 million.
   ”Farmland is the foundation for agriculture and for so many of the benefits Mercer County’s farms have to offer us — everything from opportunities to enjoy fresh, local produce and farm experiences, to rural and open landscapes that keep our communities green and growing,” said state Department of Agriculture Secretary Douglas Fisher.
   ”The Christie Administration is committed to providing funds that enable New Jersey to continue our partnership efforts to preserve productive farmland and ensure agriculture remains a vital part of Mercer County and the Garden State for all time,” he said.
   The State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), which administers New Jersey’s Farmland Preservation Program, made the request that includes the following funding breakdown for Mercer County:
   The SADC request for funding for Hopewell Township and Mercer County was part of a $79.5 million funding request for farmland preservation projects across the state.
   ”New Jersey’s Farmland Preservation Program is critical to supporting our agriculture industry and way of life in Mercer County,” said Tom Gilbert, chairman of NJ Keep It Green.
   ”This funding, made possible by the 2009 bond referendum, will continue the state’s strong commitment to preserving family farms to protect our quality of life and provide local, Jersey Fresh food for decades to come,” he added.
   The SADC administers New Jersey’s Farmland Preservation Program, which provides grants to counties, municipalities and nonprofits to assist them in preserving farmland. To date, more than 2,100 farms covering more than 200,000 acres have been preserved statewide under the program, state officials said.