Land Preserved At 2 Family Farms In Camden County, Totaling 93 Acres

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — The state approved preservation of 93 acres of farmland in Camden County, ensuring that the property on which two family-run businesses operate will remain farmland, even if they are sold.

The New Jersey State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) approved preservation of land parcels at the Sleeter family farm in Blackwood (Gloucester Township) and Stella Farms in Winslow Township, county officials announced recently. This means companies cannot buy and develop those parcels of land in the future.

The Sleeter and Stella farms are the first the county has preserved since 2016, when the Pagano Farm was protected. The families will remain the owners of their respective farms.

The Sleeter Farm has been family-owned and -operated since 1879, and is one of the oldest thoroughbred equine farms in the state. Just over 40 acres will be preserved at the farm, which is owned/operated by Carolyn Sleeter, the late Gerald Sleeter, and their son Kurt. Many of the horses bred, raised, and pastured here have been top performers at Monmouth Park, said the SADC.

Ed and Barbara Stella operate Stella Farms, which was established in 1921. The county said 53 acres of land will be preserved here, of the farm's 121 acres in total. Stella Farm, located in the Pinelands rural development area, grows and sells a variety of vegetables and is well-known for its sweet corn.

Both of these farms are known and loved to residents and visitors, Camden County Commissioner Jeff Nash said in a statement.

"These farms are a huge asset to our county by contributing to our garden state tradition through the produce from the Stella farmstand and the horses everyone knows and loves at Sleeter,” said Nash, who is the liaison to the Parks Department.

“Allowing developers to possibly buy and develop these farms that both hold such rich family histories in Camden County would be a criminal act and the State Agriculture Development Committee has helped us ensure that it will never happen," said Nash. "Furthermore, we knew preserving these wonderful green spaces was the right thing to do and will underscore the importance of agriculture in the county and the state.”

The county and SADC will purchase the easements on both farms shortly, commissioners said. This brings the total acres of preserved farmland through the SADC program in Camden County to approximately 1,100, said officials.

Gloucester Township's mayor David Mayer said Sleeter Farm has been " a priceless asset for our community for generations."

"Nothing makes me happier to think that this site will be enjoyed for decades to come," Mayer said.

“Ensuring that we have open space and farms is what makes the Township a special place to live and gives it unique character that our residents have come to cherish. I want to thank the state for the role it played in securing the development rights to the farm, and I want to thank the Sleeter family for their commitment to Gloucester Township.”

Marie Lawrence, mayor of Winslow Township, said Stella Farm is a "special destination" and that she was "thrilled" the land was being preserved.

“Winslow Township is proud that so many families return to our farmer’s markets year after year to get their locally grown peaches, tomatoes, and corn,” Lawrence said. “Stella’s Farm is one of those special destinations, and we are thrilled that the land is being preserved to continue the agricultural heritage of our township for generations to come.”