Santini Farm Preserved in Franklin Township, Warren County!

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is pleased to announce that 88 acres of farmland in Franklin Township, Warren County have been preserved. Owned by Santino and Clara Santini, this farm is part of a rich agricultural farmbelt near Warren County’s southern border with Hunterdon County. The Santini Farm is located within the Pohatcong Ridge Project Area identified in the Township’s Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan completed by Franklin Township and The Land Conservancy of New Jersey in 2008.

This farm is situated on the southwestern slopes of Pohatcong Mountain and offers a magnificent view of the Pohatcong Valley. By preserving this farm, the rural character of the area will be maintained and protected.

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey and Warren County Freeholders purchased the development rights of the property. The Land Conservancy’s funding for this project came from the Garden State Preservation Trust via the State Agricultural Development Committee (SADC) non-profit grant program. These funds were matched by Warren County for a total purchase price of $564,768. Warren County’s contribution was approved by the County Agricultural Development Board.

This acquisition is only the latest in a series of closings that The Land Conservancy has completed in Warren County. The Conservancy has spent over $1.3 million in helping to preserve six different farms in Warren County since 2005. “The Land Conservancy is delighted to continue our partnership with the Freeholder Board to preserve critical farms that preserve an important but threatened way of life in Warren County”, said Conservancy President David Epstein. “We thank the Township of Franklin, the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and the State Agriculture Development Committee for their contributions and interest in preserving this beautiful land.”