Turnquist Farm Permanently Preserved

The Morris County Agriculture Development Board permanently preserved, on Oct. 18 2007, the Turnquist Farm in Washington Township by purchasing the development rights and restricting the land from non-agricultural uses.

The 28 acre Turnquist Farm preservaction purchase was made in conjunction with a grant from the State Agriculture Development Committee, which provided 60 percent of the $560,240 acquisition price, with 40 percent funded by the Morris County Preservation Trust Fund.

The Turnquist Farm is the 62nd farm to be preserved in Washington Township. In contrast to open space preservation, the farm owner retains ownership of the preserved land with a deed restriction ensuring that the land will not undergo non-farm development.

Agricultural development of the farm is permitted and the type of farming activity can change in the future. The preservation of the Turnquist farm increased the total preserved farmland in Morris County to 6,441 acres on 99 farms.