Cranbury farm eminent domain fight gains attention of US agriculture secretary
In a social media post, Secretary Brooke Rollins wrote that the USDA is "exploring legal options to help."
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A fight over eminent domain in Cranbury Township is grabbing the attention of the United States secretary of agriculture.
The township is looking to take ownership of a 175-year-old family farm to build affordable housing. But brothers Chris and Andy Henry say that they do not want to sell the farm.
“Two 70-year-old men who are Air Force veterans, and they are reduced to tears on a daily basis,” says Jay Taylor, the former mayor of Cranbury.
Taylor is a friend of the Henry family and has been advocating for the brothers. He says that the farm’s location in an industrial area is not ideal or safe for people to live.
The 21-acre farm is sandwiched between warehouses on South River Road. The town is looking to fulfill its 265-unit affordable housing mandate plan by June 30.
RELATED: Community members make one last plea to save Cranbury Township farm from eminent domain
RELATED: Cranbury Township family fights to save 175-year-old farm from eminent domain
Taylor says they are working with tight parameters.
“This farm goes, now you have environmental damage. You have all the issues with the traffic that’s being added to it. It’s not a sustainable project,” he says.
But as the deadline looms, the Henry family is feeling hopeful after the issue got the attention of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. In a social media post, Rollins wrote that the USDA is "exploring legal options to help."
"Secretary Rollins getting involved yesterday is a game-changer, for not just for the Henry family, but any farm that is facing this situation,” says Taylor.
Andy Henry was not able to speak on camera on Wednesday but told News 12 that his conversation with Rollins went well. He says it was a good conversation and that the secretary was even willing to make calls on the farm's behalf.
There will be a few meetings next week to vote on eminent domain and the affordable housing plan before it is sent to the state.
