Local Family Honored For 'Farm Stewardship' In Burlington County

NORTH HANOVER, NJ — The family-owned and run Infante Farm was honored for its efforts in land management and stewardship by the Burlington County Commissioners.

The Bill and Dorothy Pettit Farm Stewardship Award is given annually to the owners of a preserved farm that shows a deep commitment to agricultural production and caretaking of the land.

"Good stewardship takes a lot of time, hard work, and resources," said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, "We are grateful for farmers like the Infante family who are making this effort and setting an example."

The 91-acre lot off Croshaw Road, formerly the old Parker Farm, has been part of the Burlington County Farmland Preservation Program for the last 19 years.

The grounds were then bought by the family in 2008, setting off 17 years of improvements.

First on the list was a restoration of the farmhouse, along with a conversion of the old grain farm into a field and hoophouse nursery facility.

Then, in 2019, the farm was put into sod and row crop production, the former hoophouse areas were redone, and a center pivot irrigation system was installed.

The irrigation upgrade to a modern system maximizes water-use efficiency, the County said.

They can also be used to improve accuracy in fertilizer application, reducing the potential for leeching into groundwater.

The family also took on other projects, such as correcting noteworthy areas of erosion through ditch maintenance and other methods of restoration.

"We commend you for all you do to keep Burlington County green, beautiful, and productive," Eckel added in her honors of the family.

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