From the Trenton Times:
Farmland auction attracting interest
BY LISA RICH
The rolling pastures nestled between dense woods on Bayberry Road will be sold at auction Oct. 27, but developers need not bid.
In a state better known for its industries and suburban sprawl, the auctioning company selling the Martin tract has received interest from more than two dozen bidders who want the 166 acres of preserved farmland.
“When you think of New Jersey, believe it or not, we’re an incredibly vibrant agricultural state,” said Lynne Richmond, public information officer for the state Department of Agriculture. “Farming here is far from dead, it’s very much alive and well.”
The township has owned the Martin tract since 2004 when the municipality dipped into its budget and bought 250 acres for $5.4 million. After the 166 acres of preserved farmland is sold later this month, the leftover land will remain open space.
Setting aside 166 acres as preserved farmland that cannot be developed made the township eligible to receive $2.1 million in state aid. The money from the auction also will go back into the township budget, said Committeeman David Sandahl.
“It’s basically going to help recoup a major part of the original cost and help alleviate our debt,” Sandahl said. “But I’m really glad we did it this way; we’ve had a lot of interest from bidders who want to buy the property.”
So far, the Max Spann Real Estate and Auction Co. has spoken with a “couple dozen” parties who want the site formerly used for hayfields for various reasons, ranging from organic farming and orchards to wildlife preservation, said President Max Spann.
“It’s one of the most sought-after communities in the state,” Spann said of Hopewell, “and this tract is one of the best properties.”
“In the state, there’s also an inherent scarcity of farms that keeps the demand good for selling this kind of property,” he said.
Lynne Richmond’s hype about vibrancy in the ag sector aside, the interest in the so called Martin tract has nothing to do with agriculture in the state. Most farmers in NJ could not afford to buy their own farms at today’s prices, even as deed restricted preserved farms if they were to start over without the security of existing land equity. The interest in Martin is not a sign of agricultural health, rather it is an indication of weakness in the deed restrictions which do not require any agricultural production whatsoever. That’s right, not a grain of wheat, not a single tomato plant is required to grace a preserved farm. The interest in Martin is largely coming from prospective buyers who decidedly do not farm for a living but are attracted to the peace, privacy and protection (in the words of the real estate mogul Bryce Thompson) which acreage in the country can provide. To catch a glimpse of the future of preserved farmland in the state, check out MLS# 10042020m on Nurko Road in Roosevelt which had an 11.000 square foot “farmhouse” constructed on it, replete with conservatory, maid’s quarter’s and home theatre. If that’s farming, no wonder so much “vibrant” and giddy interest in Martin!