Concern Over Potential New Brewery Sparks Conversations In Mendham 

MENDHAM, NJ — The ongoing process aiming to convert a local preserved farm into a farm-based brewer has recently sparked a new round of conversation as members of the public spoke out in concern about potential environmental impacts.

Backer Farm has been seeking permission to establish a brewery operation on their property, which currently has produce and livestock. The farm's plan was initially approved by the Mendham Township Zoning Board of Adjustment last year with a 5-2 vote.

Local resident Melissa Rainis spoke before the township committee on Monday evening, requesting that the environmental committee weigh in on the environmental impacts and aspects of the application.

"The township environmental committee has weighed in on Hillandale and recently Mendham Mushrooms and Irene’s Spring Tree Farms, all of which are much smaller projects and have less impact on the environment than this brewery project," Rainis said.

The Backer Farm brewery project is currently still on the docket for the Morris County Agriculture Development Board, although the official application has not yet been heard.

After months of waiting, the Morris County Agriculture Development Board scheduled a virtual hearing on the farm's proposal for a brewery and tasting room on Aug. 11, but it was canceled.

According to Katherine Coyle, Director of the Morris County Agriculture Development Board, the reason for the delay was that the Morris County Agriculture Development Board needed time to review additional information that was submitted.

"Yes, this project is not going before the town board, like the planning board, but the environment does not care who will be negatively impacting it. This will be on the land of our township, and we ask you to defend it and protect it as needed from this commercial development," Rainis said.

Following her remark, resident George Koenig expressed similar sentiments, stating that a project like the brewery would typically have to go through the Mendham Township Planning Board. Under that process, applicants would be required to hire a consultant who would oversee the entire project from an environmental and stormwater management standpoint, according to Koenig.

"That is not the case here because the jurisdiction has now moved to the agriculture board, but I believe that that base still needs to be tagged. I am fully in support of the request to have the environmental committee be designated for a review," Koenig said.

To view Backer Farm’s application on the county’s website, click here and here for the County Agriculture Development Board meeting agendas and schedule.