Family Farm Battles Eminent Domain Seizure Threat
For generations, the Duffy family’s farm has been a fixture in this quiet corner of South Jersey, a patchwork of green fields and red barns that has survived droughts, downturns, and everything in between. But right now, the family faces a threat they never expected: a move by the township to seize their land for a new low-income housing development.
The Henry brothers, who have owned the farm for over a dozen years, were stunned by the township’s decision. “It totally shocked us,” Andy Henry told Fox Business correspondent Jeff Flock. The brothers have invested nearly $200,000 into the property and have turned down offers of up to $30 million from developers, according to the story.
Andy Henry said the family isn’t interested in selling, regardless of the price the township might offer. “We don’t even want to sell it,” he said, adding that the town “would offer us a lot less than a warehouse developer would.”
The case has drawn national attention, including from U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Rollins posted on X last week, “We must protect family farms at all costs.” She later added, “While this particular case is a city eminent domain issue, we @usda are exploring every legal option to help.” Rollins also confirmed she had spoken with Andy Henry directly. “She did acknowledge that this is not a federal issue, but she’s trying to help in any way she could,” Andy Henry said.
Cranbury Mayor Lisa Knierim has indicated the township is seeking the eminent domain action to avoid expensive “builder’s remedy lawsuits” from developers. “No one is in favor of eminent domain” or “wants to see a farm disappear,” Knierim said, as reported by NJ.com.
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The Henrys, whose farm is currently leased for cattle, argue the land’s proximity to warehouses makes it a poor site for housing and say there are better alternatives. Their attorney, Timothy Dugan, maintains the move contradicts the township’s efforts to preserve agricultural land.
The fight for the Henry farm continues, as local and national voices weigh in on the future of one of New Jersey’s oldest family-run properties.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
