HOWELL – A 68-acre tract of farmland in Howell has been added to the Monmouth County Farmland Preservation Program after a more than $1.1 million agricultural easement transaction, according to a press release.
On May 31, members of the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders announced the acquisition of the Thompson farm on Howell Road.
Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, who serves as the board’s liaison to the Monmouth County Planning Board, said the preservation effort was in line with an ongoing effort in the county to safeguard agricultural property.
“Preserving farmland and acquiring open space are two critical pieces of protecting our environment and retaining its natural character,” Burry said. “It is no coincidence that the Thompson farm is adjacent to the Meade farm, which was the first farm preserved in Monmouth County 29 years ago.”
Since 1987, the Monmouth County Farmland Preservation Program has worked to maintain the viability of agriculture in the region by securing agricultural easement agreements with interested landowners, effectively removing development rights to farms and keeping those properties for farming purposes, according to the press release.
Completed on May 25, the agricultural easement purchase project was made through a partnership between the county, Howell and the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC).
The total cost to purchase the development rights to the Thompson farm was $1,158,268. Burry said the SADC paid 60 percent ($694,961), the county paid 24 percent ($277,984) and the township paid the remaining 16 percent ($185,323).
Funding from the county was covered by its Open Space and Farmland Preservation Fund. The township also used its Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, as well as a grant from the state’s municipal Planning Incentive Grant program, according to the press release.
“The owners of the property and Howell were very cooperative in ensuring that the farm’s natural appearance is retained,” Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso said. “Maintaining open space is an important concept that was instilled by previous generations and will continue for generations in the future.”