175-Year-Old New Jersey Farm Saved from Government Foreclosure

The struggle to preserve a 175-year-old family farm in New Jersey came to a close when an agreement was reached between the local government and the farm owners, preventing half of the land from being transformed into an affordable housing project.

Andy Henry, co-owner and manager of the Henry Family Farm, expressed his relief, stating, “It’s been our legacy for 175 years, and all of my ancestors struggled to survive all kinds of crises, like house fires and the Great Depression. So it’s just a blessing to be able to keep it the way we always wanted it to be.” He shared these thoughts during an appearance on a weekend show with his brother Christopher.

Back in April, the Cranberry County Commission revealed a housing initiative that put their farm at risk of foreclosure through prominent land seizures. This was tied to a state mandate that tasked New Jersey towns with constructing over 146,000 affordable housing units by 2035, as reported by local media.

Timothy Duggan, the family’s attorney, explained, “Cranberry Township was required to build a certain number of affordable housing units over the next 10 years. They initially selected Henry Farm for about 130 units. We objected and filed a lawsuit, arguing that it wasn’t suitable for such development.”

Reports indicate that the agreement is expected to be finalized by year-end, following a change in regulations from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Authority that allows for the use of alternative land in Cranberry.

Before the resolution, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins offered encouragement on social media, referring to Andy as a “warrior” and calling for an end to land seizures.

New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy also expressed gratitude to the Trump administration for assisting in the protection of family farms, which, as he noted, are vital to the state’s heritage. He stated, “Every town must contribute to solving the affordable housing crisis, but these efforts have to be thoughtful and collaborative.”

Christopher Henry highlighted the support they received from the community, acknowledging, “I know the people of Cranberry have helped us a lot. My brother, as our farm manager, certainly deserves a lot of credit.” He described their journey as supported by many concerned individuals.

The Henry family has owned the farm since 1850 and has consistently turned down development offers to maintain it as a family-run property. They primarily raise cows and sheep, with a history of having chickens and goats as well.

When asked what he cherishes most about the farm, Christopher reflected, “I love the farm. It’s where Andy and I grew up. It’s the sense of history and the people who lived there, as well as the many photos that remind us of our parents who wanted to keep it in the family. It’s all about that deep connection.”