Three generations of the McEvoy family stand on farmland they have preserved - putting Warren County over the milestone of 30,000 preserved acres. With them are, on the left, Commissioner James R. Kern III and Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla, and on the right, Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski, Warren County Land Preservation Department Director Corey Tierney, and Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio. 

McEvoy Family Milestone Reflects Generations Of Warren County Farmers Protecting the Land for the Future

WHITE TOWNSHIP, NJ – Sixteen years ago, Frank Demeter stood on his farm in White Township as Warren County celebrated the preservation of its 20,000th acre of farmland. This past Sunday, his daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Jerry McEvoy, stood on their own farm to mark another milestone: the preservation of their 120-acre property, helping Warren County surpass 30,000 acres of permanently preserved farmland.

"There's something especially meaningful about celebrating 30,000 acres here," said Warren County Agriculture Development Board Chairman Joel Schnetzer. "Sixteen years ago, Frank Demeter's farm represented a milestone for Warren County. Today, his daughter and son-in-law are helping us reach the next one, while their son is farming land his grandfather helped preserve. That's what farmland preservation is really about – keeping the land in agriculture and giving the next generation an opportunity to carry on the tradition."

The McEvoy farm is part of a much larger story that has shaped Warren County for generations. From the rolling fields of the Delaware River valley to the farms of the county's northern and central communities, agriculture is deeply woven into Warren County's identity. Farms produce food, support local businesses, provide habitat and open space, and help define the rural landscapes that residents and visitors associate with the county.

Today, that agricultural landscape remains an important part of the county's economy. According to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, Warren County had 923 farms encompassing 70,747 acres, with agricultural products generating more than $128 million in market value. But farming in Warren County continues to face pressure from private residential, commercial, industrial, and other forms of development. Once productive farmland is converted to another use, however, the loss is normally permanent.

That is why Warren County has made farmland preservation a long-term priority. Since the County's farmland preservation program began in 1989, Warren County and its partners have worked with hundreds of willing landowners to permanently protect farms throughout the county. The program is voluntary. Participating landowners retain ownership of their farms and continue their agricultural operations, while the non-agricultural development rights are permanently extinguished. The result is a growing network of farms that will remain available for agriculture regardless of future development pressures.

"Warren County has a rich agricultural heritage, and preserving farmland is one of the ways we can make sure that heritage remains part of our future," said Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla. "These are not simply acres of open land. They are working farms, family businesses and places where generations of Warren County residents have built their lives.”

"Every farm we preserve helps protect the character of our communities and the landscape that makes Warren County special," said Commissioner Deputy Director James R. Kern III. "There is increasing pressure to develop land throughout New Jersey, and Warren County must continue to be intentional about protecting the farmland, open space and natural resources that our residents value. Preserving farmland is an investment in the future of the county."

"Farmland preservation is ultimately about people as much as it is about land," said Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski. "It is about families who have farmed here for generations, young farmers who want an opportunity to continue farming, and residents who want to see agriculture remain a visible and vital part of Warren County. When we preserve a farm, we are helping to protect that economic opportunity into the future."

The County's farmland preservation efforts have made Warren County a statewide leader. Based on State figures, Warren County ranks fourth among New Jersey's 21 counties in total preserved farmland acreage and third in the number of preserved farms. The County has permanently preserved more than 30,000 acres through partnerships involving the State Agriculture Development Committee, municipalities, nonprofit organizations and willing farm owners.

"Thirty thousand acres is a tremendous accomplishment, but it is not the end of the story," explained Corey Tierney, Director of the Warren County Land Preservation Department. "There are 70,000 acres of farmland in Warren County. And there are farmers thinking about the future of their farms right now. Thanks to the County Commissioners and our partners, we are making sure those landowners have the opportunity to preserve their farms if they choose," Tierney added.

For the McEvoy family, the significance of the milestone is particularly personal. Frank Demeter's farm marked Warren County's 20,000-acre preservation milestone on September 27, 2010. Nearly 16 years to the day, his daughter and son-in-law's farm marks the County's 30,000-acre milestone. And today, their son is farming the land that his grandfather helped protect. “It was so important to us as a family,” Sue McEvoy said, as she thanked the Land Preservation Department for its efforts.

Preserving this much acreage of farmland in any county is rare, noted Charles Roohr, Executive Director of the State Agriculture Development Committee. “I could count the number of counties that have made it to 30,000 acres on one hand,” he remarked.

Tierney thanked Roohr for making a long trip from Trenton to attend the ceremony marking the preservation milestone, but Roohr replied “for 30,000 acres, I’d walk here.”

Ciesla noted it took a lot of effort from a lot of people to achieve the 30,000-acre milestone, including county staff, state officials, past County Commissioners and Freeholders, and landowners.

Sarnoski and Kern both pointed out the cooperation of farmers and landowners is critical to the preservation effort. Warren County has a dedicated open space tax and money for preservation, Sarnoski noted, but, “Without a willing seller, our money is worthless.”

To the McEvoy family, Kern said, “Thank you so much for being a partner with us.”