The East Amwell Farm Project

• Click HERE to watch the video from the Township Committee/Planning Board Special Meeting on 28th January, 7.30pm
• Click HERE for meeting related documentation/presentations
• Click HERE for all project related documentation to date

Summary

For more than 20 years, East Amwell has been known for its unprecedented efforts and unwavering dedication to preserving farms. Now is a great time to build on the achievements of the past, take our commitment to the next level and help the next generation of farmers succeed. By making farming profitable, we can ensure that East Amwell will remain a farm community long into the future.

With this goal, the Township has launched a new project to identify ways to make farming economically sustainable. It’s a multi-faceted problem that needs a multi-faceted solution. We began by developing the most complete farm inventory the Township has ever had. We are currently conducting outreach, hoping to speak with anyone who has interest in this endeavor – farmers, farm owners, farm neighbors, farm lovers. Everyone’s opinion is valuable to us. As we learn more about the current state of local farming, its history as well as our farmers’ future aspirations, we’re developing new ideas for new initiatives, like an interactive, web-based map of local farm stands and a have/need directory for people who have farm-related services to offer or who need services for their farms.

We’re also starting to envision a bigger picture of what a sustainable farming community might look like. It now seems clear that farmers need easier and better access to services and their markets, so there may be value to coordinating the Town’s zoning to promote farm-related uses within the community; that, in turn, would support local farms.

The work that we’re doing will help define the character and quality of life for East Amwell. We invite everyone to express your thoughts, share your ideas, tell us about your concerns, problems or hopes for the future. Farmer or land owner, resident or businessperson, everyone’s opinion will help make this a better and more successful project. If you’d like to participate, or if you simply want more information about the project, please contact the principle project coordinator, Tam Lee at eafarms156@gmail.com or 609-333-0678. Thank you!