Middlesex County Purchases 35 Acres Of Farmland In Monroe

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — Middlesex County recently purchased a 35-acre farm in Monroe Township through the Farmland Preservation Program, county officials announced.

The county now has more than 5,459 acres of farmland preserved, of which 3,746 acres have been specifically preserved through the Farmland Preservation Program.

The county, in partnership with the State and Township of Monroe, purchased the development rights for the farmland located on Federal Road, owned by the Estate of the late Anthony Zimbicki, Sr.

The land was purchased for $945,837. The State paid $567,502.20, the county contributed $189,167.40, and Monroe Township paid $189,167.40 towards the purchase.

“The Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners has always had a commitment to preserving land within our beautiful County, evident in our thousands of acres of farmland and open space already preserved,” Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald Rios said in a media statement.

“We look forward to continuing to preserve more farmland properties and protecting them from non-agricultural development as it’s an investment in all of our futures. Farmland preservation is the first step to ensuring food is available for generations to come.”

Middlesex County’s Farmland Preservation Program purchases non-agriculture development rights on farmland that meets criteria established by the Middlesex County Agriculture Development Board and the New Jersey State Agriculture Development Committee.

Farmland owners interested in participating in the program must submit a formal application to the Middlesex County Agriculture Development Board.

They can contact Laurie Sobel, Supervising Planner, of the Middlesex County Office of Planning at 732-745-4014.

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