Monmouth Conservation Foundation Helps to Bring Allentown a New Park

Allentown, New Jersey – Monmouth Conservation Foundation announces the purchase of 2.5 acres of land that will be transformed into Allentown’s newest park.  The Borough of Allentown, County of Monmouth, and Monmouth Conservation Foundation partnered in the $250,000 purchase price.  

Nestled amongst the vast open spaces and fertile farmland is the charming, historic Borough of Allentown, an enchanting village to stumble upon for friends and strangers alike.  Although surrounded by open spaces and farmland, the Borough is nearly built out.  Pressures from surrounding towns continue to threaten the character of the Borough, which is deeply cherished by residents.  The 2.5 acre pocket of land was at risk of being lost forever to seven residential homes. 

Allentown, a treasure trove of American history, first home to Lenape Indians, became a market village for the surrounding agricultural areas after being settled by Quakers.  A central location for militia during the American Revolution, the village provided goods and services to the war effort.  Its strategic location also played an important role in the Underground Railroad. 

Today, a stroll down Main Street, dotted with quaint shops, raisesfeelings of nostalgia.  Unbeknownst to many who frequent the charismatic village, a rare, hidden gem, sat nestled in the heart of the village, a short distance from Main Street.  The parcel of land sat frozen in time, beholden to the history and the remaining natural resources of the village. Now that the land has been acquired by the Borough, it will become a place for passive recreation for residents and visitors to enjoy. 

Allentown recognized the open space and historical importance of this rare property and was determined to transform the site into a park with assistance from the Monmouth Conservation Foundation and Monmouth County through their Municipal Open Space Grant Program.  The Borough’s vision ensures that the property, one of the last large remaining tracts of land, will remain as it is and offer passive recreational opportunities.

This “pocket park”, within walking distance from all corners of this unique rural village, will offer members of the community and its visitors a place to visit frequently, as you would a friend, to intimately connect with nature and the history of the village of Allentown - forever. 

Monmouth Conservation Foundation, founded in 1977 by Michael Huber and Judith Stanley-Coleman as a 501(c)(3), is an accredited land trust dedicated to preserving open space and farmland in Monmouth County.  For the past 40 years the organization has been steadfast in saving land, creating parks, preserving ecosystems, and protecting the wildlife for your enjoyment and that of future generations.

For more information please visit www.monmouthconservation.org or call Monmouth Conservation Foundation at 732.671.7000.  Please “like” us on Facebook and “follow” us on Twitter and Instagram.

Monmouth Conservation Foundation Leads Efforts to Preserve Conover’s Christmas Tree Farm

Wall Township – The Christmas season may have come and gone, but we have another reason to celebrate Christmas – trees specifically – this spring. 

The Conover homestead, circa 1843, encompassed most of Wall Township’s Hurley Pond Road at one time.  As the Conover Family expanded, smaller farm parcels were given to children to begin their own families.  When John Conover Sr. began farming his 14-acre farmstead, the neighborhood was still predominately farmland.  Over the years, the area around the Farm continued to develop and his Farm became an oasis, a hidden treasure nestled amongst a sea of development.  

Almost 50 years ago, John Sr. made the decision to begin growing Christmas Trees.  Today the Farm is home to over 3,000 beautiful Trees which require regular, hand tailored shearing.  Each Christmas season, new and long withstanding family traditions bring families to the Farm to select and cut their perfect Christmas Tree.   

In the early 90’s John Conover Jr. took over the business from his father and continues to run the business on the Farm that he grew up on.  Having called this area home since the 1840’s, the family fondly recalls many stories that have been passed down through the generations.  Local mobsters escapades, tall tales of prohibition, the Hindenburg casting its shadow over the Farm on route to Lakehurst that historic day and Calvary ammunition dating back to the Revolutionary War found in the Farm’s soil are just a few of the family tales that connect to the historical context of the area.  The land with its fertile soil and rich history, cannot authenticate these stories, but the family’s decisions to preserve the Farm will ensure that the land will remain in perpetuity as a haven to the stories of the past, present and future.  

The Foundation led the efforts to preserve Conover’s Christmas Tree Farm, working collaboratively with the State Agriculture Development Committee, Township of Wall and the Monmouth County Agriculture Development Board, all of whom contributed to the $242,630 cost to purchase the development rights to the 14 acre Farm.  

In 2014, preservation partners preserved the 35-acre Conover Farm adjacent to the Christmas Tree Farm, once also part of the larger Conover homestead.  With few remaining farms in Wall Township, the preservation of these 49-acres in total ensures the land will forever be available for farming and preserves the Township’s farming heritage.  Each additional acre of preserved farmland further protects the quality of life in Monmouth County and sustains the environmental integrity of the area.  

For more information on the Christmas Tree Farm located at 3105 Hurley Pond Road in Wall Township, visit their website at www.conoversfarm.com.  Be sure to mark your calendars for the first Saturday in November to reserve your tree.  Trees can be cut and purchased beginning on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. 

Monmouth Conservation Foundation, founded in 1977 by Michael Huber and Judith Stanley-Coleman as a 501(c)(3), is an accredited land trust dedicated to preserving open space and farmland in Monmouth County.  For the past 39 years the organization has been steadfast in saving land, creating parks, preserving ecosystems, and protecting the wildlife for your enjoyment and that of future generations.

For more information please visit www.monmouthconservation.org or call Monmouth Conservation Foundation at 732.671.7000.  Please “like” us on Facebook and “follow” us on Twitter and Instagram.

Monmouth Conservation Foundation Brings You a New County Park

The Monmouth Conservation Foundation is pleased to announce the preservation of a 14-acre waterfront site to become Monmouth County’s newest Park

 Middletown - Over a decade ago, the Monmouth Conservation Foundation began working to preserve Chris’ River Plaza Marina, located on West Front Street in the River Plaza section of Middletown. After many years of complex negotiations, MCF is happy to announce that the well-known site will soon be acquired and ultimately transformed into a new Monmouth County Park, called the Swimming River Park, that will be within walking distance to many Red Bank and Middletown residents.

 Chris’ River Plaza Marina has been a local landmark to the River Plaza section of Middletown and has long served as a de-facto park for local residents and small boat enthusiasts.  Locals often reminisce about using the site to watch Red Bank’s once famous Fourth of July fireworks, families launched small watercraft, canoes or kayaks to enjoy a day on the river in the summer months, and in the winter children spent their school snow days, snow sledding on the steep river bank.

Judith Stanley-Coleman, co-founder and long-time president of the Foundation, envisioned the property as an opportunity to bring open space and water amenities to an otherwise underserved neighborhood.  With a potential to yield twenty plus townhomes, West Front Street, an already busy thoroughfare leading into the Borough of Red Bank, would have become even more congested with the additional traffic that increased infrastructure would bring.

The long-time vision of the Foundation only became a reality when the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders agreed to purchase the property as an addition to the Monmouth County Park System’s Swimming River Greenway. “The preservation of this property is an important location and rare opportunity to purchase a park that will be particularly accessible by bike and foot to many Monmouth County residents,” remarked Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, Freeholder liaison to the Monmouth County Parks System and member of the Monmouth Conservation Foundation Advisory Council.

 The Monmouth County Park System and MCF partnered to purchase the land for $3,810,000.  MCF contributed $200,000 towards the project including a $100,000 Green Acres grant to the Foundation.  “This was a collaborative effort between the County of Monmouth and the Monmouth Conservation Foundation.  This couldn’t have been accomplished without this partnership between non-profit and government entities,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone.

The property is situated at the confluence of the Navesink and Swimming Rivers. The upstream component of the Swimming River, has a Category 1 designation to prevent water quality degradation and discourages development where it would impair or destroy natural resources and water quality, and flows into the County’s critical water resource, the Swimming River Reservoir.  The waterways and their wetlands create habitat for native and endangered marine, estuarine, avian and insect species forced by development into scarce remaining open space, water, and coastlands.  Permanent protection of the site ensures that the natural habitat are better protected, allowing them to also be enjoyed by the community.

The property will need to undergo significant environmental clean-up and restoration.  Once completed within two to three years, this property will become the site of a newest County park providing passive waterfront recreational opportunities – complete with parking (including boat trailers), and improved boat launch ramp and sledding hill – for the public to enjoy. Other amenities are planned as well. For the time being, and until the site work begins, the County plans to continue to allow boat launching.  Hours and ramp fees are posted on the Park System’s web site at monmouthcountyparks.com.

Monmouth Conservation Foundation, founded in 1977 by Michael Huber and Judith Stanley-Coleman as a 501(c)(3), is an accredited land trust dedicated to preserving open space and farmland in Monmouth County.

MCF has directly preserved more than 6,500 acres while collaboratively preserving 16,000 acres throughout Monmouth County. MCF remains steadfast in its mission of saving invaluable farmland and open space, protecting waterways, preserving ecosystems, creating and/or extending parks and greenways for the past 38 years.

Monmouth Conservation Foundation and Monmouth County Park System Partner to Expand New County Park

30 acres purchased in Marlboro Township adding to Freneau Woods Park.

Marlboro and Aberdeen Townships – Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF) announces the acquisition of a 30 acre parcel.  The piece is the last in a set of properties acquired in furtherance of a new Monmouth County regional park called Freneau Woods Park.  The property was purchased as a collaborative effort by the Monmouth County Park System and the Monmouth Conservation Foundation.  To date, 154 acres have been purchased, being acquired like pieces of a puzzle, that with future acquisitions will one day become a 250-acre regional County Park.

The property was funded collaboratively by MCF and the County of Monmouth.  MCF contributed $200,000 of the total purchase price of approximately $1.4 million, $100,000 of which is Green Acres funding awarded to MCF.

Located at the headwaters of Matawan Creek, including Lake Lefferts, this and surrounding properties are rich in both environmental and historical importance.  Local non-profits and government officials have long touted the importance of protecting the land that surrounds this unique coastal wetland that also provides a habitat for a diverse set of local species.  Keeping the headwaters safe from development is vital to the future water quality.

“MCF is proud to have facilitated this acquisition and its recent predecessor for Monmouth County and to have provided funding toward both these magnificent and ecologically significant additions to Freneau Woods Park.” Said MCF’s Executive Director, Bill Kastning.

During the American Revolutionary period, the land was part of a larger area owned by the Freneau family.  Freneau was an influential poet and newspaper writer whose works were clearly influenced by the natural beauty of the area.  In the July 4, 1795 edition of the Jersey Chronicle newspaper Freneau remarks, “I frequently walk into the fields over the cultivated farms and through the little forests that lay beyond the two rivers…What most of all disgusts me in these excursions is that men seem too much to have strayed from the grand simplicity of Nature…”

Monmouth Conservation Foundation, founded in 1977 by Michael Huber and Judith Stanley-Coleman as a 501(c)(3), is an accredited land trust dedicated to preserving open space and farmland in Monmouth County.  Monmouth Conservation Foundation has directly preserved more than 6,500 acres while collaboratively preserving 16,000 acres throughout Monmouth County.  MCF has been steadfast in saving invaluable farmland and open space, protecting waterways, preserving ecosystems, creating and/or extending parks and greenways for the past 38 years.

The Stone Foundation of New Jersey renews its support of Springwood Avenue Park

The Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF) is deeply grateful to receive a renewal grant of $15,000 awarded by The Stone Foundation of New Jersey for the advancement of MCF’s Springwood Avenue Park project.

This timely and generous grant helps MCF to achieve the Board of Directors matching challenge grant of $25,000, and helps MCF meet the project’s fundraising goal of $150,000.

In making the grant, The Stone Foundation of New Jersey expressed “…enthusiasm for MCF’s move into the vital world of urban greening and open-space access in underserved areas of Monmouth County. It is a testament to our belief in the importance of this kind of work as part of the conservation portfolio.”

In partnership with Monmouth County, the City of Asbury Park, and Interfaith Neighbors, Monmouth Conservation Foundation is participating in the groundwork for a 1.3-acre park within the 16-block Springwood Avenue Redevelopment Area. The park will include a playground, courtyard, walking path, civic plaza, and recreational lawn panel. It also will feature an amphitheater and raised stage area, with a mural panel, for outdoor performances.

Springwood Avenue Park will be the first City-owned and City-maintained park ever established on the West Side of Asbury Park. A key goal of Springwood Avenue Park is to help spur development of vacant parcels in the Springwood Avenue Redevelopment Area. This grant awarded by The Stone Foundation of New Jersey is a major contribution to helping MCF and our partners achieve this long-term vision for this neighborhood.


triCityNews/ Monmouth's News & Arts Weekly: PUBLISHER'S MESSAGE

A must-go social event: Monmouth Conservation Foundation fundraiser for Asbury’s Springwood

BY DAN JACOBSON

Here’s a great sign of the growing cohesiveness and shared values of the triCity region of eastern Monmouth County.

It’s the new activism in Asbury Park of the once old-money Monmouth Conservation Foundation [MCF]. The group has committed to provide at least $150,000 toward the development of the Springwood Avenue Park in Asbury’s West Side.

The needs of urban areas are a new priority for MCF, and one which its board has enthusiastically embraced. This is indeed unity of progressive thought in our region. And you can be a part of the action by attending MCF’s annual fundraiser for the Springwood Park at Talula’s on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park on Sunday, May 3 at 6 p.m.

The fundraiser is billed as “Pizza and Pasta for a Purpose”, and Talula’s is one of this newspaper’s favorite places to write about. Tickets are $60 per person and children under 12 are $25. Visit the MCF website to reserve tickets at Monmouthconservation.org, and then click on events and then click Springwood Park. Or call MCF at 732-671-7000.

Last year’s MCF event for the Springwood Park at Porta — another triCity favorite — was shockingly well attended. Attendees were not your usual suspects at an Asbury Park fundraiser, but they were enthusiastic and positive about being here. It’s a great thing, as this is an organization with many connections in government and the private sector. Asbury now gets the benefit of that reach.

The Monmouth Conservation Foundation was founded about four decades ago by the late Judith Stanley, among the most prominent of local Republican royalty who lived in a spectacular mansion on the Navesink River off Navesink River Road. Cofounder was the late Michael Huber of Middletown, a gem of a philanthropist who was close with influential environmentalists of his generation. [The late Dery Bennett of the American Littoral Society — one of my role models — always spoke exceptionally well of Mike Huber.]

Since its founding in 1977, the MCF has done wonderful work in preserving tens of thousands of acres of open space in Monmouth County. Fun fact: This Publisher was on the board of trustees in my late twenties about twenty-five years ago.

Most of MCF’s work, however, was in blue-blooded horse country. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Such land was the most threatened, and you see the tragic results of overdevelopment in once beautiful places like Middletown, Holmdel, and Colts Neck. Hell, even Marlboro and Manalapan were, once up on a time, beautiful open land. All this didn’t have to go down exactly as it did — it’s a result of decades of political bullshit — and at times outright corruption — from influential development interests getting their way at the state and local levels. But I digress. The leadership and trustees of MCF have been a varied lot — like the Publisher of this wacko alternative weekly newspaper — but we’ve all had a strong commitment to open space preservation, and a willingness to fight the good fight against powerful developers.

But it’s time to direct part of MCF’s focus and resources to serving those in challenged urban neighborhoods who need open space — specifically, attractive and safe parks — as much, if not more, than the rest of the county needs open space in their towns.

MCF Executive Director Bill Kastning said that beyond the $150,000 committed to be provided by his organization, there’s a shortfall in available funds to do a remaining $100,000 worth of landscaping.

“We are now reaching out to nurseries and growers in Monmouth County and elsewhere, primarily those whose farmlands have been preserved through the use of state, county and nonprofit t moneys,” Kastning said. “We are hopeful through our outreach efforts to achieve the in-kind donations and thereby eliminate the remaining shortfall identified by the city.”

Lisa McKean, MCF’s Managing Director for marketing and development, said the new stress on urban areas is very much in the vision of MCF cofounder Mike Huber. [MCF is also working on a project at Chris’ Landing in Red Bank, she said.]

“Caroline Huber is a close, wonderful family friend of mine,” said McKean. “Caroline’s husband, Mike Huber, was co-founder of MCF in 1977. Caroline went to a meeting with Bill and me last week to hear more about Springwood. The meeting included Paul McEvily of Interfaith Neighbors. Caroline was very impressed with the Springwood Park project and plans for Asbury Park, overall.”

“Subsequent to that meeting, I had dinner with Caroline...she explained to me how she knows that these kinds of recent initiatives that MCF is pursuing are very much in line with what Mike had in mind when founding MCF,” McKean said.

“According to Caroline, the vision which Mike had for MCF included related projects in underserved areas where MCF could aid in creating pockets of open space and green...such as in the West Side of Asbury. [These projects are] for those who cannot readily access the parks and space MCF is also preserving in more traditional areas. It is about an even greater good,” she said.

McKean said the Springwood Avenue project is a turning point in the history of MCF.  “The MCF board, until Springwood, did not actively pursue such projects, but they are realizing how important it is to broaden the scope of MCF’s work and are more willing to explore appropriate opportunities attached to social causes – in keeping with Mike Huber’s overall vision,” she said.

Asbury Park Press: Talula's to host a fundraising dinner

SARAH GRIESEMER

@SARAHEGRIESEMER

Sometimes, a simple meal can make a big difference.

This Sunday, the Monmouth Conservation Foundation will host its annual Sunday Supper at Talula’s in Asbury Park, and the evening will help raise funds for the construction of Springwood Avenue Park, a long-awaited community park on the city’s west side. The foundation is working to raise $150,000 for the park’s construction, said Lisa McKean, a foundation managing director, and they hope to achieve that goal at Talula’s.

The evening will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $60 per person, and $25 for children younger than 12. The dinner will include pizza, pasta and salad, served family style.

Talula’s is at 550 Cookman Ave., Suite 108. McKean said seating is limited; to purchase tickets or for more information, call 732-671-7000 or visit MonmouthConservation. org.

​

Paul R. Brown, President of Monmouth University, named to MCF's Board of Directors

Monmouth Conservation Foundation named Monmouth University President Paul R. Brown, Ph.D., to its board of trustees on April 19.  The non-profit organization has collaboratively preserved more than 22,500 acres of open space and natural habitat throughout Monmouth County since its founding in 1977.  

As a trustee, Brown will help set broad policies for the Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF), approve an annual budget, and help the Foundation succeed in its mission to create a permanent legacy of open space, farmland, woodlands, wetlands, wildlife and parks throughout Monmouth County, including establishing parks in under-served local neighborhoods for families who lack the resources and ability to access the land saved and parks created in other areas of Monmouth County. 

Brown will work with his fellow board members to ensure the Foundation continues to implement its ongoing efforts to preserve and protect the county’s fragile ecosystem through partnerships between public and private entities.

“The mission of the Monmouth Conservation Foundation aligns well with the overarching goals of Monmouth University’s Urban Coast Institute (UCI),” Brown said.  The UCI serves the public interest as a forum for research, education, and collaboration in the development and implementation of science-based policies and programs that support stewardship of healthy, productive, and resilient coastal ecosystems and communities.

Among the projects on the MCF agenda are the 62-acre former Aeromarine facility in Keyport Borough, and the 14.6 acre Chris’ Landing property in Middletown Township, which provides access to the Swimming and Navesink Rivers.

During his tenure at Monmouth, Brown has completed a comprehensive strategic plan, overseen substantial campus improvements, and recently led the university to its highest levels of outside financial support, including a $5 million Marine Science & Policy Challenge Grant for the UCI. In 2014 Monmouth University received the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award in the Clean Air category for its contributions to improving air quality in New Jersey.

The first independent university in New Jersey to sign a comprehensive green operation agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Monmouth University has distinguished itself as a leader in conservation and environmental stewardship among academic institutions. In 2006 the University installed a 454kW solar photovoltaic system—at the time, the largest solar array on any campus east of the Mississippi River.  In 2012, the University installed an additional 600 kW solar panel system on seven University buildings under a Power Purchase agreement with Torcon Energy Services.

Monmouth was named the New Jersey Clean Energy School of the Year in 2006 by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and in 2007 received a Merit Award from the Monmouth County Planning Board for its Solar Panel Installation Project. 

Brown is one of five new trustees elected to the Foundation’s board.  The others include Meredyth R. Armitage, Mai Cleary, Mark Forrest Gilbertson and Bob Sickles. 

William Kastning, executive director of Monmouth Conservation Foundation, commends the entire board of trustees for their commitment to Monmouth Conservation Foundation and for tirelessly carrying out its mission.

“The members of Monmouth Conservation Foundation’s Board of Trustees are outstanding individuals who are exceptionally accomplished and represent a range of professional, personal, and philanthropic fields,” Kastning stated. “The Foundation is especially thankful to the board for both their support and for the role they serve as ambassadors of Monmouth Conservation Foundation and its ongoing mission to acquire, hold, develop, save and protect land throughout Monmouth County.”

Join us!

TALULA'S: 550 COOKMAN AVE. #108 . ASBURY PARK
Talula's is the new, celebrated restaurant where
everyone gathers for fantastic food and fun!

$60 PER PERSON
CHILDREN UNDER 12 - $25 PER CHILD

TO PURCHASE TICKETS CLICK HERE:

For more information
CALL: CHRIS OR KIM AT 732.671.7000

Seating is limited.

Monmouth Conservation Foundation Unveils Preschool Winners of Kids for Conservation Contest

Monmouth Conservation Foundation Unveils Preschool Winners of Kids for Conservation Contest

 

Preschool students earn grants for their conservation creativity

Click here for The Patch article.

By Heather Keefe (Open Post) March 16, 2015

Monmouth Conservation Foundation, a non-profit organization that collaboratively has preserved more than 22,500 acres of open space and farmland throughout Monmouth County, is proud to announce the young winners of its Kids for Conservation contest. As part of the contest, Monmouth Conservation Foundation provided $2,500 in academic grants for Monmouth County students.

Kids for Conservation is an academic enrichment program that Monmouth Conservation Foundation created for preschool and kindergarten students in Monmouth County. The program was funded, in part, with a Franklin Parker Conservation Excellence grant given by New Jersey Conservation Foundation.

The purpose of Kids for Conservation is to teach children and adults about their environment and how to care for it. The program emphasizes the importance of land conservation, wildlife protection, and the preservation of farms, farmland, and open space.

From September 3 to November 7, 2014, Kids for Conservation was open to all preschool and kindergarten students in Monmouth County. The schools were challenged to implement one of the lesson plans provided by Monmouth Conservation Foundation (pertaining to rainwater, wildlife, trees, and other topics) or develop their own lesson plan. They created projects and shared artwork demonstrating what they had learned about preserving and protecting a clean environment.

The first-place winner of Kids for Conservation is Janet Ford’s Midstreams class at Atlantis Prep School in Manasquan. The students (4½-5 years old) created an interactive water cycle project and earned a $1,500 academic grant from Monmouth Conservation Foundation.

The second-place winner is the Learning Experience of Wall. A “seasons tree” project, led by teachers KristyLyn Krais and Kelly Lord, incorporated nature into learning the alphabet. The preschool students earned a $500 grant from Monmouth Conservation Foundation for their school.

A second component of Kids for Conservation is Discovering Nature at Home. Monmouth Conservation Foundation encouraged preschool and kindergarten students to draw, paint, or photograph an aspect of nature that they discovered while outside. Richie Wagner, a four-year-old resident of Manalapan, earned a $500 academic scholarship from Monmouth Conservation Foundation for his depiction of a dinosaur as “nature from the past” and leaves as “nature from today.”

According to Lisa McKean, Managing Director of Marketing and Development for Monmouth Conservation Foundation, the foundation is eager to continue motivating children and adults to participate in environmental education.

“At Monmouth Conservation Foundation,” McKean explains, “we want to inspire children to engage in and become passionate about nature – to play outdoors and make their own discoveries about the environment.

“With the Kids for Conservation program,” McKean continues, “Monmouth Conservation Foundation educates young students and their families about the importance of land conservation, open space preservation, and wildlife protection. It is our goal to create an ongoing legacy of open space for our own families and all the families of future generations so everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Monmouth County.”

William Kastning, Executive Director of Monmouth Conservation Foundation, reiterates this mission. “Engaging young children at any early age instills an appreciation for nature, conservation, and protecting the land,” Kastning states.

The late Michael Huber and Judith Stanley – longtime residents of Monmouth County – founded Monmouth Conservation Foundation in 1977. The mission of Monmouth Conservation Foundation is to create a permanent legacy of open space, parks, farmland, wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife throughout Monmouth County.

Monmouth Conservation Foundation is the only countywide land trust in Monmouth County. The organization achieved land trust accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance.

In the fall of 2015, Monmouth Conservation Foundation plans to offer the Kids for Conservation program once again. For more information, please contact Christine Horrigan at Monmouth Conservation Foundation (732-671-7000) or visit Monmouth Conservation Foundation on line: www.monmouthconservation.orgor www.facebook.com/MonmouthConservationFoundation.

Gimbel family works with MCF to preserve property as farmland and open space

MCF purchased an agriculture easement on this 35 acre farm in Middletown Township with the help of the State Agriculture Development Committee and the Monmouth County Agricultural Development Board.  The donation of a conservation easement on the remaining 6 acres of the farm from the Gimbel Family ensures that the property will forever remain as farmland and open space.  The Gimbel tract is not only valuable to our farm community, but it also falls within the Foundation’s Navesink Highlands Greenway project area, which stretches from the shores of Atlantic Highlands to the inlets of the Navesink River and the farm landscapes of the Chapel Hill section of Middletown Township.

Monmouth Conservation Foundation Welcomes New Trustee

Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF) is pleased to welcome Patrick Lyman to its Board of Trustees, adding specialized environmental expertise to its roster of volunteer overseers. Lyman came aboard in January 2025 to assist MCF with its nonprofit mission of acquiring and preserving open space and farmland and conserving natural habitats throughout Monmouth County in support of outdoor recreation, agriculture, clean water, and wildlife for long-term sustainability.

Lyman is an environmental protection specialist with the federal government, responsible for conducting environmental reviews for federally funded projects, like storm recovery, in New Jersey and New York. He worked as an environmental consultant at a local company for nearly twelve years prior to this. Since 2013, he has also served as a marine science technician for the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve – Sector New York, focusing on marine safety and pollution response.

“Patrick is an outstanding addition to MCF’s Board of Trustees. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in environmental issues and policy, along with a deep appreciation for land conservation and stakeholder concerns for land use,” said MCF President Matthew Cohen.

A resident of Monmouth County or its surrounding area since early childhood, Lyman values our green spaces and believes in conserving land to promote ecosystem health and to provide sustainable uses by society, including fishing, hunting, birdwatching, exercise, and recreation. He holds a B.A. in environmental studies and history from the University of Colorado Boulder and an M.S. in homeland security from Monmouth University.

“I value the idea of a land ethic, where people are motivated to care for the land as part of our role in society. If something is beneficial for the natural environment, while society benefits, I see that as a win,” said Lyman. “I look forward to working with MCF to help preserve the remaining land in Monmouth County and educating more of our community on the many benefits of green space.”

Lyman’s favorite green spaces in and around Monmouth County include Holmdel Park, where he has enjoyed running since middle school, and Cheesequake State Park, which offers beautiful wooded and marshland habitats. In his spare time, he enjoys trail running, fishing, birdwatching, and spending time with his wife, Ellen, and their dog, Harper.

The Samaha’s Farm Story: Preserving Local Farms to Improve Our Way of Life

Photo courtesy of Samaha’s Farm

Samaha’s Farm, famous for its sweet corn, has been a mainstay in Monmouth County, New Jersey for over 60 years. Today, three generations of the Samaha Family are involved in farming their own land in Aberdeen, as well as farms across the County, and running their beloved farm market. Our team at MCF has gotten to know the Samahas very well in recent years, as they work with us and partners to permanently preserve their farmland and carry on their community-oriented legacy of hard work, sustainable farming, and delicious produce. The Samaha family’s story is a quintessential example of the many, increasing challenges farmers face, and how their strong will and the public’s support keep farmers and their farms going – for everyone’s benefit.

Samaha’s Farm History

Samahas’ farming story began in 1958 when 12-year-old John Samaha fulfilled his dream of working on a farm after his mother shared a newspaper ad for “Farm Hand: $1 Per Hour.”  In 1963, John officially opened Samaha’s Farm as a small wagon on the side of Lloyd Road in his hometown of Aberdeen – just a few hundred feet from the location of today’s farm market.

John Samaha, 1962. Photo courtesy of Samaha’s Farm.

Original Farm Wagon. Photo courtesy of Samaha’s Farm.

Fruit and vegetable sales from the farm wagon supported John’s college pursuits, and he ultimately earned a music education degree in 1967 from William Paterson College (now William Paterson University). John continued farming to supplement his salary as a music teacher, as he built his family. He married the love of his life, Yvonne, in 1976, and three years later, expanded the business into a permanent, open-air farm market that still stands today, known to many as “The Corn Store.”

Samaha’s Farm Store in the 1970s. Photo courtesy of Samaha’s Farm.

Yvonne and John had three daughters together, each of whom grew up helping with the farm and market. Their middle daughter, Nora, really took to farm life – so much so, that in a third-grade project, she vowed to become a teacher and a farmer, and she has made both a reality! Through her high school and college years, Nora began taking on an increasingly integral role in the family business.  Between semesters, and then as she began her teaching career in Hazlet, Nora ran the farm market.

Nora’s husband, Marcus Pettyjohn Jr., felt the same draw to farming and began learning the secrets of farming from John, while he ran his successful landscaping company and studied horticulture. Several years later, Marcus transitioned his career to full-time farming, as Nora continued teaching and ultimately took over management of the farm market and the marketing and IT aspects of the business.

The couple has three children of their own, who love taking part in the farm and market. Their family lives on their own small farm in Morganville, where they recently opened a small satellite farm market – Samaha’s on the Homestead. Marcus also serves on the Monmouth County Board of Agriculture, which seeks to preserve the agriculture industry and farming throughout the county relevant to the County’s Farmland Preservation Plan.

The Pettyjohn Family. Photo courtesy of Samaha’s Farm.

“It is wonderful to pass the torch within our family and keep our farm going when farms across the country are dwindling. Nora has always had an affinity and the skills to oversee the store, and Marcus was never afraid to get his hands dirty,” said John Samaha.

The Fruits of Labor

Brothers Richard and John Samaha collectively own 17.4 acres of land in Aberdeen, which serve as the family farm headquarters and the location for the main farm store. Sweet corn is their biggest product, but their tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and zucchinis are also popular. Samaha’s Farm exclusively grows produce that is not genetically modified – meaning the genetic makeup of their crops has not been altered, known commonly as non-GMO.

Corn field at Samaha’s Farm.  Photo courtesy of Samaha’s Farm.

The Samaha’s Farm famrs a total of 120 acres, working their own land and leasing land locally in Colts Neck, Holmdel, and Marlboro – much of which is preserved farmland. Additional, locally sourced produce, flowers, and other farm products are sold at the farm market. Samaha-grown produce can be found in local stores like Dearborn Market and Delicious Orchards. The Samahas also regularly donate surplus items from their harvest to local food pantries.

Jersey Tomatoes growing on fields leased by the Samahas in Holmdel.  Photo courtesy of Samaha’s Farm.

Richard and John Samaha as children.  Photo courtesy of Samaha’s Farm.

“The Samaha Family’s role in farming lands across our county is a valuable service that helps maintain our Garden State’s agricultural industry and fosters an important network of farmers,” said MCF’s Director of Acquisitions, Jena Cosimo.

Preserving Farm Life

Both Richard and John feel strongly about conserving farmland and their way of life. While Richard finds passion tinkering with heavy machinery, the brothers’ values are aligned, and their support for each other is unwavering. Richard, who owns the lion share of their farmland in Aberdeen, has fended off developers wanting to buy their land and build high-density housing for decades.

Samaha’s Farm stands today as the only remaining farmland in the Aberdeen area. Facing continuous development pressure, John suggested preservation, and the family reached out to us at MCF. Since 2022, we have been working with the Samahas, Aberdeen Township, and Monmouth County to collaboratively preserve their land, forever.  We continue to work to secure the necessary funding to purchase conservation easements on the land and hope to preserve Samaha’s.

Aerial of a portion of Samaha’s Farm. Photo by Fred Yahn, Eagle Drone Solutions.

Support Your Local Farmers

Since childhood, the Samahas have watched farmland and green space get developed repeatedly – a scenario most of us know all too well. Monmouth County’s farmland has shown a significant decline since the 1950’s. One example - the historic Hop Brook Farm in Holmdel, a plot of land the Samahas currently farm, once boasted roughly 140 acres. Today, only 25 acres remain.

Many times, public outcry comes too late when news breaks of a farm being sold or a green space being developed, and they are lost forever. We must be proactive, before it's too late. Residents can speak up for farmland and green space preservation and support open space programs through their local government. They can also support nonprofit land trusts like MCF who help facilitate land preservation.

Nora and John Pettyjohn, Jr. Photo courtesy of Samaha’s Farm.

Another big part of the solution is to support local farms. Purchasing local farm products and participating in agritourism activities creates a demand for farmers and farms. In an age of convenience with big box stores and ultra-fast delivery, it’s easy to be persuaded to forego local options, but building your local farm(s) into your routine puts fresh, nutritious food on your table and keeps the farming profitable – keeping farmers in business and developers at bay.

“As a mom, I want convenience, but I also want the healthiest options for my family. Shopping local farms ensures I am getting the freshest produce, without the additives and packaging,” said Nora Pettyjohn.

Patronizing local farms is also an enriching experience. It’s a great way to teach children where our food comes from, and many local farms like Samaha’s offer fun and educational agritourism activities. From pick-your-own experiences to farming demonstrations, to hayrides and corn mazes, to petting zoos and pony rides, there is so much to see and do.

At Samaha’s Annual Fall Festival, guests can enjoy a pumpkin patch, music and entertainment, narrated hayrides complete with kids’ jokes and an animated hunt for the Witch of Aberdeen, animal encounters, bounce houses and slides, and more.  To learn more about local farms and agritourism in our area visit Grown in Monmouth, a program of the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners developed to promote our agricultural industry.

Samaha’s Farm Pumpkin Patch. Photo by Karen Keene.

Photo courtesy of Samaha’s Farm

Farming Challenges

Farming offers countless benefits but comes with myriad challenges. Year-round, farmers are planning, innovating, and implementing to prepare for the upcoming growing season and combat these challenges.

“We are at the mercy of the Lord, and I talk to him every day,” said John Samaha. 

Aside from development pressures for housing and commercial uses like warehouses, farmers must navigate the earth’s changing climate and unpredictable weather. Last year, New Jersey experienced a record-setting drought, which impacted harvests, and in other years, damaging storms have knocked down or washed away fields.

Wildlife poses additional obstacles. Farmers must employ innovative strategies to fend off destructive populations of animals like deer, geese, and blackbirds, who would otherwise ravage their crops.

Farmers are constantly battling pests and diseases. The Samaha’s utilize integrated pest management (IPM), a science-based method using a variety of techniques to control pests that do not rely primarily on pesticides. Like many farmers, the Samahas seek guidance from experts at the Rutgers University New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. 

Corn field at Samaha’s Farm. Photo courtesy of Samaha’s Farm.

As in most industries, farmers are also at the mercy of the supply chain. Prices for seed, equipment, fertilizer, fuel, and almost every other input continue to rise. Maintaining a skilled workforce and reliable farm workers is also a challenge. Samaha’s Farm participates in the H-2A Visa program, which allows foreign workers to legally come to the United States on a temporary visa to perform agricultural labor. The program is intended to help employers who are unable to find enough domestic workers.

Nora and Marcus Pettyjohn Jr.
Photo courtesy of Samaha’s Farm.

Farm to Family

With the average age of farmers on the rise and fewer young people looking to become farmers, the future of many farm operations is unknown. Unlike many farmers, the Samaha family (and our community) are blessed to have their family-owned and operated farm business with next generation farmers committed to the farm.

Farming is a year-round, sunup to sundown labor of love. Through and through, the Samaha Family is dedicated to farmland, farm life, and our community. After spending just a few minutes with the family, it’s abundantly clear that the Samahas are in this together and in this to stay. It truly is a family affair.