FRANKLIN — The 130-acre Suydam Farm, one of the township's oldest, has been placed on the state's preservation rolls, keeping it as open land in perpetuity.

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The development rights of the family owned and family run farm, on Route 27 and Cortelyous Lane, cost $12,354,218. Of that, $6,282,000 was paid by the township. Somerset County and the state's Agricultural Development Committee contributed $2 million and $4,072,218, respectively.

The purchase price, after taxes, will be split among 10 partners.

The Suydam Farm is the sixth preserved by the township in the past year, officials said. While the Suydams or subsequent owners can build barns, fences or greenhouses on the farm, part-owner Ryck Suydam said, deed restrictions preclude the construction of dwellings.

"We are pleased to be farmers in Franklin and extremely glad that our farm will remain a part of New Jersey agriculture forever," Suydam said. "Our family's goal is to keep the farm viable and an asset to our community."

The farm, bordered to the west by the 3,000-acre preserved Six Mile Run Reservoir Site, dates back nearly 300 years. It has been farmed by 13 generations of Suydams, the first of whom arrived in Somerset County in 1713.

In 1960, the Suydam farms were recognized as having the highest production herd in the country, according to the farm's Web site, suydamfarms.net.

But since its founding, Suydam said, the farm has accommodated changes in both market demands and the surrounding community.

Of late, the farm has produced anywhere from 25,000 to 35,000 bales of hay annually for the horse industry, he said.

Suydam, who started hauling milk at 3 years old and working in the fields at age 6, said that the farm's 6- to 8-acre pumpkin patch, its corn maze, Christmas trees and greenhouse business have grown to meet demands in the past few years.

"It's become more and more popular," he said. "In the beginning of May, we'll be planting tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, sweet corn and cut flowers," all of which, along with eggs from the farm's hens, will be sold at the farm and at area farmers markets.

Suydam, 47, operates the farm with his wife, Dee Jay Suydam, and their four children, Matthew, Jenna, J. Paul and Lucas. "If it wasn't for them I couldn't do this," he said.

His father, Abe Suydam, also helps. "There's three generations in the fields working together," Ryck Suydam said. "There aren't too many industries were you can see that."

Bob Puskas, chairman of the township's Agricultural Advisory Committee, said a Planning Incentive Grant from the state's Agricultural Development Committee was instrumental in the purchase of the farm's development rights.

"We knew that the state's financial contributions, when paired up with the township's Open Space Fund, would likely result in significant farmland being preserved," Puskas said.

About one-third, or 9,106 acres, of the township's land is preserved, either as open space, parks or farmland.

"The addition of this farm to the other preserved farms continues Franklin Township's and its funding partners' commitment to preserving land so that all may enjoy the beautiful landscape that still exists here in the Township," said John Loos, the township's Land Preservation consultant.

Recently, the township incorporated a farmland preservation element into its master plan. The plan outlines new preservation strategies targeting another 25 farms totaling more than 1,100 acres.

Among the next parcels to be preserved could be a 40-acre plot that also belongs to the Suydams.

But, Suydam said, the process is a long one.

"It doesn't happen overnight. It takes a lot of time and effort and ultimately I think the big winners are the people in town: They have open farmland instead of 130 acres of condos," he said before climbing onto a tractor.

"I'm going to get a little field work done," he said.