Politics & Government

County Nears 200 Preservations with Browning-Hess Farm

Moorestown's farm is the latest notch in the Burlington County farmland preservation program's belt.

Moorestown’s Browning-Hess Farm became the 190th farm saved from development under Burlington County’s farmland preservation program.

County freeholders gave their OK this week to the preservation deal. Moorestown’s Town Council previously approved the move.

Between Browning-Hess and 10 other properties in the preservation pipeline, Burlington County is closing in on 200 preserved farms during its 25-year-old preservation program.

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“Obviously, farmland preservation is alive and well in Burlington County,” Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio said in a statement. “It speaks volumes about our farming community, and its dedication to keeping agriculture alive and active as an industry.”

Moorestown had its eye on the multigenerational, 42-acre Browning-Hess Farm for some time. The town will pick up 20 percent of preservation costs at $467,310. Burlington County will pay the remainder of the $2.33 million deal, and apply for state reimbursement with the hopes of recouping 60 percent of its outlay.

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The deal puts a permanent restriction on development on the Lenola Road farm, something the family who runs it was very keen on happening. Co-owner David Hess earlier told Patch it’s been the family’s “dream” to see the farm preserved.

“While it is not within our traditional farm belt, the Browning-Hess Farm is a great asset and working farm,” Garganio said. “So, it is certainly a worthy addition to our preservation program.”

The other 10 farms near preservation deals are in seven towns throughout Burlington County and span 800 acres. County freeholders authorized securing appraisals on the properties, which is a first step to making an offer to buy development rights.

The farm owners, location, acreage and production, according to the county, are:

• Vincent Haines, Flyatt Road, Tabernacle, 138 Acres, grain

• George and Deborah Kucowski (North), Chesterfield-Jacobstown Road, North Hanover/Chesterfield, 60 acres, grain and vegetables & (South) 38 acres, grain and vegetables

• Robert and Francis Bush, Magnolia Road, Pemberton, 62 acres, blueberries

• Alloway Family, LP, Old Indian Mills Road, Shamong, 103 acres, grain and sod

• Mill Creek (Lou & Sandy Muckenfauss), Medford-Eayrestown Road, 96 acres, organic grain/vegetables

• Anthony DiTullio, Route 68, Mansfield, 85 acres, grain

• Estate of Jane Baker, Eayrestown Road/Church Road, 59 acres, grain and equine operations

• Howard and JoAnn Stevenson, Pointville Road, Pemberton, 113 acres, grain and hay

• Black Dog Industries (Michael Stavola), Catesville Road, Pemberton, 46 acres, grain


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