175-Year-Old Henry Farm Saved from Eminent Domain in New Jersey Following Agreement

Cranbury, New Jersey – The 175-year-old Henry Farm in Cranbury, New Jersey, has been saved from being acquired through eminent domain for an affordable housing development, following a multi-party agreement. The resolution, announced in late October 2025, involves the Henry family, Cranbury Township, and Fair Share Housing, with significant intervention from state and federal officials. This outcome ensures the historic farm will remain under family ownership while the township seeks alternative locations to fulfill its affordable housing obligations.

The dispute arose when Cranbury Township identified 11.58 acres of the 21-acre Henry Farm as a site for 130 affordable housing units. This plan was part of the township's mandate to meet its "fair share" of affordable housing, a requirement under New Jersey's Mount Laurel Doctrine, which necessitates municipalities provide housing for low- and moderate-income residents. The Henry family, who have owned the farm for generations, strongly opposed the seizure of their ancestral land.

The situation garnered national attention, drawing support from various political figures. Social media commentator Jack Posobiec highlighted the federal involvement, stating, "> ANDY'S FARM: Trump admin saves 175-year-old NJ farm from being taken over for affordable housing," in a tweet. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, from the Trump administration, actively advocated for the farm's preservation, stating, "America’s farmland will be protected."

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also opposed the use of eminent domain for the farm, emphasizing the state's commitment to protecting farmland. The breakthrough in negotiations came when the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) agreed to relax a rule preventing affordable housing financed by the agency from being built within 250 feet of a warehouse. This adjustment created new opportunities for Cranbury to evaluate other sites.

Mayor Lisa Knierim of Cranbury Township confirmed that this rule change "creates a meaningful opportunity for Cranbury to evaluate alternative sites to the Henry Farm." Governor Murphy expressed pride in the collaborative effort, noting that the agreement "will ensure the farm remains under the family’s ownership, while local leaders look elsewhere to meet the town’s affordable housing obligations." Fair Share Housing Center Executive Director Adam Gordon also welcomed the agreement, commending the parties for finding a path forward that protects farmland and upholds affordable housing goals.