Henry family farm saved from eminent domain seizure

BROOKE ROLLINS: “A war against Andy’s farm is a war against all farms."

The Henry family farm in Cranbury, New Jersery. Photo source: Google Street View

A months-long battle for the future of a historic New Jersey farm ended yesterday as officials announced the land will not be seized for affordable housing. The Henry brothers will remain owners of land their family has farmed for 175 years.

Cranbury Township abandoned its much-publicized—and criticized—eminent domain action as the state of New Jersey moves to change the rules around land for affordable housing projects.

“Further efforts are also underway by USDA and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to protect this prime farmland in perpetuity,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced in an X post.

Rollins, who used her platform to advocate for the family and worked behind the scenes to coordinate with state groups in an effort to save the Henry farm, added that the USDA is working on a sweeping plan to protect small farms and ranches from government and legal overreach.

“A war against Andy’s farm is a war against all farms. This is why USDA is finalizing plans to end systemic lawfare and weaponization of government against American agriculture. No more.”

Secretary Brooke Rollins announced: “The Henry farm has officially been saved.” Source: X

Legal experts warned the Henry farm seizure could have set a dangerous precedent.

“The case is a signal of what can be done to farms in America,” said John Koufos, head of the D.C.-based consulting firm Cottage Four and a former colleague of Rollins at the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF). He advised on the case at Rollins’ request.

“Under no circumstances can we take precious farmland unless it’s for the highest and most important use,” Koufos said. “If that becomes the precedent, it opens Pandora’s box for farmland rights.”

Regulatory changes in New Jersey coming

“Andy called me this morning, and he was ecstatic,” Timothy Duggan, an attorney representing the brothers, told NJ Advance Media. “Andy and Chris are just overwhelmed that we’ve reached this point, and that they’ve received the support across the board from everybody to have his property removed from the plan.”

The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) is set to revise rules dictating how localities can choose land for affordable housing projects. Cranbury officials requested a Superior Court judge delay proceedings in light of these pending regulatory changes.

“This agreement hinges on that change,” New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said. “It will permit responsible development that makes housing more accessible and affordable, while ensuring we protect the land that defines our state’s character.”

Murphy credited his administration and “federal partners” for the agreement. Rollins got involved after Republican gubernatorial challenger Jack Ciattarelli asked her to help save the historic farm.

“New Jersey will always protect its farmers and farmland,” Murphy said in a statement. “And we will always live up to our reputation as the Garden State.”