Farm Returns To Giving To Community After Winning Fight With Howell

HOWELL, NJ — Samrock Stables is hosting a fundraiser on Thursday to support the K-9 officers of the Brick Township Police Department.

It's an activity the owners, Jules Callano and Angel Angelov, loved to do in the past, before they were forced to pour their energy into protecting their stables and their nonprofit, Angel and Jules' Not-So-Ordinary Farm, from being shut down by Howell Township.

The couple won their two-year battle with the township after the Monmouth County Agriculture Development Board ruled the farm's activities — which include farm tours, horseback riding lessons, camp programs and programs to help veterans and law enforcement officers battling PTSD — were covered under New Jersey's right to farm rules.

Howell Township code enforcement had claimed the farm was violating zoning laws, alleging the couple was offering traditional academic instruction such as math and reading at the farm, according to hearing minutes. That claim was based solely on a social media post seen by the town's former deputy manager, Matthew Howard. But Howard never visited Samrock Stables to see in person how they were operating, Callano said.

Howell's claim of an illegal school was rejected by a judge in 2025; Howell appealed the ruling, which led to the matter going before the county agriculture board.

In April, Callano and Angelov celebrated the victory with a grand opening celebration at the farm, offering the public a chance to see the animals and pet some of them along with getting a taste of the programs they are offering as the farm moves forward.

Therapeutic equine programs and cattle therapy offer a chance for veterans and law enforcement officers and others struggling with mental health issues an opportunity to connect with the animals in a quiet, peaceful environment.

Summer camp programs for kids offer an "immersive experience" with horseback riding, animal care, gardening, crafts, and outdoor adventures, "perfect for children who love animals and nature."

All of those programs were highlighted at the open house on April 19, which drew a steady flow of people — friends, fellow farmers, camp families and more — who came out to congratulate Callano and Angelov on their fresh start.

Callano's face was a mixture of smiles and relief as she surveyed the visitors.

"I'm very happy," she said, adding that rebuilding the farm's programs is a bit intimdating because of the change in the landscape of farm offerings over the last few years. Farms throughout New Jersey have turned to a variety of offerings, from rental space for events to farm experiences to leaning hard into ventures around holidays such as haunted mazes and fall celebrations around Halloween, to supplement income from selling their produce.

"So many farms are doing things," she said, "but not everyone has my degree of experience."

Callano grew up in a several-generations farm family, raising thoroughbreds and racing horses in Monmouth County, before she and Angelov began their own farming.

Still, she's added new offerings, including goat milk soaps she makes from the milk of the farm's goats, and she regularly sells eggs collected from the farm's chickens.

She also offers ornaments made from wool collected from the farm's sheep, and kits that people can take home to make ornaments themselves.

"I'm trying to be more authentic and optimize what we do to bring in as many people as possible," Callano said.

It's readily apparent that her favorite interactions are with the children who come to the farm's agricultural programs, as she beamed at the youngsters who were wandering around and asking to hold Marshmellow, the chicken Callano rescued from nearly drowning as chick. She's one of many animals the couple has provided a safe home for at the farm since they first purchased it in 2021.

That's what Samrock Stables and all of Howell's farms offer in a greater sense, said Betty Lou Velez-Gimbel, who leads Howell Farmers United and has worked to help Callano and Angelov in their quest to save their farm.

"Every child deserves the immersive agricultural experience Samrock provides," Velez-Gimbel said. "And here in Howell, our farms can provide it. It’s essential for our policymakers to support our farms and local businesses and protect and enhance the quality of life for every resident, especially our children."

Callano said that while the battle was tough, the support of Velez-Gimbel and others, including Assemblyman Alex Sauickie, who lobbied on behalf of Samrock Stables and also authored legislation that protects farmers from nuisance lawsuits targeting accepted commercial farming practices.

While that law does not cover the costs Callano and Angelov incurred in protecting their farm — tens of thousands of dollars in attorneys' fees and more — Callano said she is grateful that it exists now, to prevent others from facing the problems they faced.

That was one of the positives Callano took from the fight. She said there was another one: that future farms fighting similar battles will be able to be heard right away by the Agriculture Development Board, instead of the months-long fight to get before the board.

Now the couple can get back to doing the things that give them joy in supporting their community, such as the K-9 fundraiser for the Brick Township Police Department. It's set for Thursday, May 14, at Beacon 70 in Brick. There will be live music, raffles, a gift auction and drink and pizza specials for the event. It begins at 4:30 p.m. at the restaurant, 799 Route 70 in Brick.

Those who wish to support the farm's continued recovery can help by making contributions through the Samrock Stables list on the fundraising site GiveButter, which allows people to give in a variety of ways, from buying bales of hay — a $10 donation buys 1 hay bale — or bags of feed for the horses and cows and chickens to sponsoring medications and hoof trimming and maintenance to the farm. There's options for one-time donations or monthly donations to sponsor animals, and they welcome any amount.

See the list of possibilities their GiveButter page.

Information about the farm's various programs is all listed on the farm's website.