Farm at risk: Legal battle drags on between Samrock Stables, Howell Township
Samrock Stables in Farmingdale is a nonprofit farm and animal sanctuary that specializes in animal therapy for children with special needs, veterans with PTSD and students in Collier schools.
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A farm in Monmouth County and the township it operates in are at odds with each other over a legal battle.
Samrock Stables in Farmingdale is a nonprofit farm and animal sanctuary that specializes in animal therapy for children with special needs, veterans with PTSD and students in Collier schools.
The owners say Howell Township is accusing them of functioning as a school – and therefore is not protected by the state’s Right to Farm Act.
The act allows farmers to have animals, produce and sell crops, and offer agritourism, like educational and farm-based recreational activities.
Despite the owners saying they're not a school, the township took Samrock Stables to state Superior Court in Monmouth County this past fall to shut them down.
The judge dismissed the case in November, ruling the township lacked legal right – but the township isn't backing down.
Those who own the farm say they are using all their resources to fight this battle.
"I'm not a school. I've never been a school. Do I teach children how to ride? Absolutely. I teach them about livestock and chickens and planting seeds? Yeah, it's part of farming,” said co-owner Julia Angelov. “We're about to lose everything. We can't function. We can't operate. We can't make the money we need to feed the mouths in this farm and these animals are our family.”
The township says they are pursuing an appeal.
