7-Acre Duchess Farm In South Brunswick Preserved As Open Space

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — On April 9, the Middlesex County Farmland Preservation Program officially preserved a 7-acre farm located in South Brunswick Township.

The farm is called Duchess Farm and it is located on Davidsons Mill Road; it is owned by Candice Howard and Thomas Brys.

On April 9, Middlesex County purchased the development rights for the farmland for $235,438. The state of New Jersey contributed $141,262, Middlesex County paid $47,087 and South Brunswick Township paid $47,087 towards the purchase.

This means that property will always be preserved as open space, and will not be developed into houses.

With the addition of Duchess Farm, more than 5,494 acres of farmland have been preserved throughout Middlesex County. More than 3,700 of those acres were specifically preserved through the state of New Jersey's Farmland Preservation Program.

“Middlesex County continues its steadfast commitment to conserving the natural beauty in each of our communities, and this acquisition is yet another testament to that,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “Preserving farmland and open space is crucial for sustaining abundant natural resources for future generations.”

Middlesex County’s program is strictly voluntary; farmland owners interested in participating in the program must submit a formal application to the Middlesex County AgricultureDevelopment Board. Farm owners interested in the program can contact Laurie Sobel, supervising planner, of the Middlesex County Office of Planning at 732-745-4014 or Brady Smith, senior environmental planner at 732-745-3843.