By Jane Meggitt, Special Writer
UPPER FREEHOLD — The municipality with the most acres of preserved farmland, as well as the largest number of preserved farms in the state, took time Dec. 6 to honor those who permanently deed restrict their agricultural properties.
The Township Committee also recognized the community’s next generation of farmers — members of Allentown High School chapter of the Future Farmers of America.
Deputy Mayor Steve Alexander said the township has just preserved its 94th farm, the Baier Lustgarten Nurseries on Jonathan Holmes Road. That adds another 229 acres to the township’s previous 9,219 acres for a total of 9,448 acres in farmland preservation. Mr. Alexander noted this number did not include all the acreage in the township that has been preserved for open space or recreation.
A few of the landowners who have placed their farms into the state preservation program were on hand at the Dec. 6 meeting to receive certificates of appreciation from the township. The honorees included Mark Mullen, whose family’s Standardbred breeding operation, Fair Winds Farm, is preserved; Bernice Lemack, owner of Rhythm and Blues Stables; Linda Gravatt, whose family grows and sells hay and straw; Kathy and Al Leister, who own a horse farm; Martin Bullock, whose family grows pumpkins, Christmas trees and straw; and Roger Ernst, whose preserved land also is farmed by the Bullocks.
Also honored was Committeeman Bob Faber, who put his farm in preservation years ago. Mayor Lorisue Horsnall Mount said she did some quick math, and the people attending the ceremony represent 2 square miles of preserved land in Upper Freehold.
Allentown High School’s FFA members also were honored for their work. Chapter President Stuart Faunce, of Millstone, said 11 members went to the National FFA Convention in October in Indianapolis where they attended career development events. Stuart, whose family has a farm in Ohio, said he and Jenna Pinhas, of Millstone, also attended a leadership conference in Washington, D.C.
Nicole Wright, of Upper Freehold, who is the FAA chapter’s vice president, said she grew up on a farm and had family members who were in FFA. A senior, Nicole says she plans to attend Mercer County Community College, then go to a state college with the goal of becoming a history or agriculture teacher.
Chapter secretary Jessica Tegano moved to Upper Freehold from Staten Island when she was 8 years old. Although she didn’t come from an agricultural background, she said she wants to become a vet and took an animal science class at AHS. After attending a couple of FFA meetings, she said she “fell in love with it.” Jessica, who is also a senior at AHS, said she plans to major in animal science at either Rutgers University or the University of Connecticut.
Chapter parliamentarian Jessalee Cruz, of Hamilton, attends AHS under the state’s Interdistrict Public School Choice Program, which allows nonresident students to enroll at state-approved schools offering unique educational opportunities (with the state paying their tuition). Jessalee said she became a FFA member after “meeting a great group of people.” She said she plans to attend Stockton State College and major in health science.
Treasurer George Stillwell is a junior at AHS so he’ll still be involved in the FAA for the 2013-14 school year. George, of Upper Freehold, raises sheep and also has a sheep-shearing business.
Mr. Alexander praised the FFA members for their public presentations and public speaking skills. Committeeman Stan Moslowski Jr. recalled his own three years in the FFA as “the best time I had in school.”
Committeeman Robert Frascella said he always is impressed when FFA members appear before the Township Committee as they are always well-dressed and well-spoken.
Mr. Faber said the FAA members represent the community’s future.
”There’s so much preserved land in Upper Freehold,” Mr. Faber said. “Down the road, we’ll need younger farmers.”

