BurlCo to Save More Land

Burlington County Freeholders agreed to appraise nine Pineland farms for easements to preserve nearly 4,000 acres in Medford, Pemberton, Tabernacle, Washington and Woodland townships.

The County applied to the State Agricultural Development Committee for funding for the Pinelands farm easements and authorized two appraisals to be conducted for each farm.

“Our Pinelands farm program is still in its infancy, but we are extremely encouraged by the response we have received thus far from area farmers, as well as the support from local officials,” said Freeholder William S. Haines, Jr.

” The easements that the County hopes to acquire through this Pinelands initiative will ensure permanent protection of these farms from unwanted development, regardless of any changes in zoning that could occur in the years to come,” Haines added.

Municipalities are not required to provide a cost share to preserve Pinelands farms. The State will provide a cost share of 70 to 75 percent, with the County providing the balance.

The largest tract, a cranberry farm owned by Lee Brothers, Inc., totals 1,760 acres next to Wharton State Forest in Woodland , Washington and Tabernacle. It would be the largest preserved farm in the state.

The farms to be appraised are listed below with their acreage and location:

Farm Location; Township; Acres
Gerber Hawkin Rd.; Medfor; 679
Karlberg Deep Run Lane; Pemberto; 147
Cramer Rt. 206/Old Indian Mills; Tabernacle; 39
Conte Brothers Flyatt Rd.; Tabernacle; 143
Moore Butterworth's Bogs Rd.; Tabernacle; 141
Moore Moore's Meadow Rd.; Tabernacle; 465
Wilk Bozarthtown Rd.; Tabernacle; 22
Mick & Son Rt. 563; Washington; 548
Lee Brothers Speedwell Rd.; Woodland, Wash., & Tabernacle; 1760+/-

TOTAL 3,944

In December, the Freeholders approved preservation of the 30-acre Kumpel farm in Southampton Township , making it the first farmland easement that the County will purchase in the Pinelands.

In addition, the County is waiting for the state committee to certify appraisal values on six other Pineland farm easements totaling 790 acres that received preliminary funding approval last year. Two of the farms are in Shamong: Abrams on Indian Mills Road, 115 acres, and DiMeo on Rt. 206 and Stokes Rd., 52 acres.

The other four farms are: Albert-Puleo on Issac Budd Rd. in Southampton , 158 acres; Thompson (Fenwick Manor) on Rt. 530 in Pemberton, 114 acres; Eckert on Carranza Rd. in Tabernacle, 63 acres; and Wading River Cranberries (Cutts) on Ridge Rd. in Washington Township , 288 acres.

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Author: Press Release