The Truth About DePalma Farm...

On June 13, 2025, the Holmdel Township Committee plans to discuss a new lease of the farm currently leased by the DePalma family – a well-known and beloved Holmdel farming family. The Township Committee will be doing so without first offering the DePalma family an opportunity to submit a renewal application – in complete disregard of Holmdel’s longstanding relationship with the family, who have lived and worked on the property for generations.

The DePalmas bought the land in 1917 - over 100 years ago - They sold it to Holmdel Township in 2000 under a 25-year lease back agreement. That lease expires in several weeks - on June 30, 2025, and the DePalmas will be evicted.

According to Monmouth County tax records, DePalma Farm (Block 50), lots 48.01 & 52 consists of about 61 acres that was acquired by the Township in 2000 without any Green Acres funding. Because this land was NOT purchased by Green Acres, the Township can award the land to a developer who has no intention of farming the land but may wish to build housing instead – all contrary to what the Township Committee has conveyed to the residents.

The remaining 34 acres of Block 50 were purchased, at least in part, with Green Acres assistance

The Township Committee has informed the DePalma family that they have no rights as the legacy owner of the land to extend its lease with the Township. We disagree.

We believe that the law provides an alternative which would permit the Township to extend the lease for the DePalmas and let them farm the land as they have for the past 100 years – rather than evict them.

Holmdel residents should urge the Committee to follow this path immediately to honor the DePalma family’s enduring legacy and maintain the bonds between Holmdel’s residents and one of its famed farming family.

Help the DePalmas keep their farm. Keep Holmdel green. Save the Farm.

Prakash Santhana

Former Deputy Mayor

Please vote for Santhana and Buontempo in the upcoming Republican Primary.

Note: Unaffiliated voters are eligible to participate in the Republican Primary. Your involvement is crucial to shaping Holmdel's financial future.

Mark your calendar: early voting kicks off today- June 3, 2025, and the primary election takes place on June 10, 2025.