Trump Administration steps in to defend a 175-year-old family farm from government seizure as New Jersey officials attempt to bulldoze history for affordable housing.
Key Takeaways
- The Henry family’s 175-year-old farm in Cranbury, New Jersey is being targeted for seizure through eminent domain to build affordable housing units.
- USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has pledged to explore all legal options to help the family preserve their historic property.
- Despite receiving offers up to $30 million, the Henry brothers have refused to sell the farm where they’ve invested $200,000 in improvements.
- The farm is situated in a warehouse district, which critics argue makes it an inappropriate location for residential housing development.
- The case represents a significant test of property rights versus government-mandated housing requirements under the Trump Administration.
Historic Family Farm Faces Government Seizure
A New Jersey family farm that has stood for 175 years is now at the center of a heated battle between property rights and government housing mandates. Brothers Christopher and Andy Henry own the farm in Cranbury Township, which has been in their family since 1850 when their great-grandfather purchased the land. Despite investing $200,000 in farm improvements and turning down offers from developers as high as $30 million, the Henry brothers now face the prospect of losing their heritage to eminent domain as local officials eye the property for affordable housing development.
The township’s plan calls for a 130-unit affordable apartment complex on the Henry farm as part of New Jersey’s mandate requiring municipalities to add or rehabilitate affordable housing units. Andy Henry expressed his shock at the town’s actions, stating the decision “totally shocked us,” according to Fox Business. The Henrys have maintained they have no interest in selling the property that has been their family’s legacy for nearly two centuries, regardless of the price offered.
Trump administration pushes back on New Jersey town moving to seize 175-year-old family #farm via eminent domain —USDA's Rollins said she had been 'on the phone' with one of the farm's owners.https://t.co/9QFPFOaCMC
— FarmPolicy (@FarmPolicy) June 25, 2025
Trump Administration Pledges Support
President Trump’s administration has mobilized to support the Henry family in their fight against the local government’s use of eminent domain. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has taken a strong public stance on the matter, directing her department to investigate potential federal avenues to protect the historic farm. The administration’s involvement signals a significant shift in federal policy regarding property rights and government overreach, particularly in cases involving agricultural heritage.
“While this particular case is a city eminent domain issue, we at USDA are exploring every legal option to help,” said Brooke Rollins, U.S. Agriculture Secretary.
Rollins went further, drawing a clear distinction between the Trump Administration’s approach and that of the previous administration: “We must protect family farms at all costs. Whether the Maudes, the Henrys or others whom we will soon announce, the Biden-style government takeover of our family farms is over.” This decisive statement underscores the administration’s commitment to defending agricultural property rights against government appropriation for housing developments.
Questions About Development Suitability
Critics of Cranbury Township’s plan have raised serious concerns about the suitability of the location for residential housing. The Henry farm is surrounded by industrial warehouses, creating what many consider an inappropriate environment for affordable housing residents. Timothy Dugan, an opponent of the seizure, highlighted this contradiction in the town’s planning: “This affordable housing’s going to be by itself, surrounded by warehouses. How is that a good decision and how is that fair to the low-income people who are going to live there?”
“No one is in favor of eminent domain. No one wants to see a farm disappear,” said Lisa Knierim, Mayor of Cranbury Township.
Despite Mayor Knierim’s acknowledgment of the unpopularity of using eminent domain, the township has partnered with Walters Group for the proposed development and continues to defend its decision as necessary to comply with state housing mandates and avoid potential lawsuits from developers. The township has indicated it would offer fair market value for the property if eminent domain proceeds, but the Henrys maintain no price would be sufficient for their family heritage. The situation has rallied community support for the family, with public opposition growing and fundraising efforts underway to support their legal battle.
