Administration Steps Up to Help NJ Family Farm

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Administration Steps Up to Help NJ Family Farm

The Henry family’s historic 21-acre farm in Cranbury Township, NJ, is at the center of a legal and political battle over eminent domain. Just the News reported the township plans to seize the land to build 130 affordable housing units, part of a state mandate requiring 265 units by 2035. The Henrys and community members oppose the seizure, calling it government overreach. “We were forced to file a court challenge,” said the family’s attorney.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has warned the township that moving forward could violate the Farmland Protection Policy Act, risking federal funding. Rollins called the plan a “Biden-style government take over” and emphasized that “protecting prime farmland is a national priority.”

Just the News added:

Henry family attorney Timothy Duggan told nj.com on Friday: “Since Cranbury would not listen to its residents and decided to move forward with an affordable housing plan which requires the Henry farm to be taken by eminent domain, we were forced to file a court challenge to the decision to authorize the Township to take the Henry farm.”

He also said: “We are pleased that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins has become involved and supports our efforts to protect the Henry farm."

The township maintains it is following state requirements, but the case, amplified by the Trump administration’s involvement, could influence how states balance housing mandates with property rights and agricultural preservation.

The Henry farm, dating back to 1850, is the last working farm in an increasingly industrialized area in New Jersey. The case may set precedent on balancing affordable housing demands with private property rights and farmland preservation.

Reason.com reported:

Despite the pressure campaign, Cranbury officials have been unmoved. The town's mayor, Lisa Knierim, has repeatedly stressed that the town's limited undeveloped land and infrastructure leave Henry's farm as one of the few viable sites for affordable housing development.

Henry himself is unimpressed by the town's arguments. If he'd sold out to a developer years ago, the site would be a warehouse today, and the town would have to find another site to designate for affordable housing development.

Cranbury has until June 30 to approve its affordable housing plan. Duggan says once that happens, his client will challenge the attempted seizure in court.