Four additional farms will be added to the county’s Farmland Preservation Program, bringing the total number of protected parcels to 47.

The four farms, three in Jackson Township and one in Plumsted Township, will add 130 preserved farm acres to the county’s rolls. To date, the Farmland Preservation Program has easements on 3,124 acres, including the new properties.

“The county doesn’t actually purchase the farmland,” explained Freeholder Director John C. Bartlett Jr. “Instead we buy easements that will guarantee that the property will remain agricultural and cannot otherwise be developed.”

Bartlett, who is also liaison to the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund, said that besides preserving open space, the Farmland Preservation Program protects the character of rural sections of mostly western Ocean County.

“Thanks to the efforts of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, miles and miles of rolling farms will be saved for future generations to enjoy,” he said.

The total purchase price for the four farms is $2,584,000. About 60 percent of the total cost, or $1,550,400 will be paid by the state.

The county portion of the money comes from the dedicated 1.2-cent Natural Lands Trust Fund tax, which is earmarked exclusively for the protection of open space.

The properties where development easements will be purchased include:
· The Holgate Farm. About 33 acres off Pfister Road in Jackson Township. Purchase price – $445,500
· The Sette Farm on approximately 32 acres off Route 527 in Jackson Township. Purchase price – $992,000
· The Petruski Farm on about 37 acres off South Stump Tavern Road in Jackson Township. Purchase price – $407,000.
· The Krowicki Farm on approximately 28 acres along Route 539 in Plumsted Township. Purchase price – $714,000.

Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little said both the Natural Lands Trust Fund and the Farmland Preservation Program are investments in the county’s future.

“Not only are we protecting the environment, but we are preventing the construction of literally thousands of homes that could have been built on many of these tracts,” Little said.