Trump Administration Targets NJ Town Over Plan To Seize Family's Historic Farm

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — Federal officials are intervening in Cranbury's efforts to acquire a historic family farm for affordable housing development, with the Trump Administration calling on the township to halt the process.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced on social media platform X on June 26 that she had sent a letter to Cranbury officials urging them to stop what she characterized as the "seizure" of the 175-year-old Henry farm. The 21-acre property is being considered by the township as part of its strategy to meet state-mandated affordable housing requirements.

The federal intervention is the latest in the local controversy over the township's affordable housing obligations and its potential impact on the historic agricultural property.

“USDA is currently investigating whether any portion of this project-including funding or planning support-has involved or will involve the use of federal funds, including but not limited to grants administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the State of New Jersey,” Rollins said in her letter.

She said if federal funding is involved, then the township and any administering entity has to complete and submit Form AD-1006 (Farmland Conversion Impact Rating Form) to NRCS before any commitment of funds or advancement of the project. But to date, no such form has been submitted to USDA by the Township or its partners, Rollins said.

“Let me be clear: advancing this project without complying with federal farmland protection requirements could place your township-and any funding partners-in violation of federal law,” Rollins said in her letter.

“Depending on the outcome of our ongoing review, that noncompliance may subject the project to federal enforcement actions, including the freezing or clawback of funds, and could jeopardize the township's eligibility for future federal assistance.”

Last week, the owners of Henry Farm filed a lawsuit against the township to block the municipality's efforts to acquire the property through eminent domain.

Henry Realty Company, which owns the farm on South River Road, filed suit in Middlesex County Superior Court, challenging the Cranbury Township Committee's decision to seize the historic property through eminent domain.

The lawsuit argues that neither state law nor the state and federal constitutions permit the use of eminent domain powers to implement what it describes as a "facially unconstitutional" affordable housing plan.

Henry Realty contends that the township lacks the legal authority to seize private property for housing development purposes.

The farm has been in the Henry family for three generations — since 1850. The 21-acre farm is off Exit 8A of the New Jersey Turnpike and currently sits between massive warehouses and busy roads.

The property is co-owned by Andy Henry and his brother Christopher, who grew up in Cranbury but currently live in New Mexico. They lease the land to a local who raises sheep and cattle.

The Henry Farm consists of about 21 acres of land, with a historic home and outbuildings, and is an operating farm.

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