Middleton-Ramirez Farm

From left to right: Kate Buttolph, Hunterdon Land Trust land acquisition specialist, Barbara and Mike Middleton and Pat Ramirez.

An unexpected visitor to the Middleton-Ramirez farm.

December 2008 - Siblings Michael Middleton and Patricia Ramirez have much to celebrate this holiday season. Through their coordinated efforts they have realized their father’s dream of permanently preserving his farm in Kingwood Township. Using funding it received from the State Agricultural Development Committee, the Hunterdon Land Trust purchased an Agricultural Easement from the siblings which prevents future subdivision and development and ensures the farm is available for agricultural use for generations to come.

"My mother and father would be very happy the preservation came through," said Michael Middleton. It's wonderful to have farmers out working in our county and land available for them to farm.

The properties each straddle Kingwood and Alexandria Townships, with a total of 60 acres in Kingwood and 29 acres in Alexandria. The parcels consist of cultivated farm fields and some woods which provide a buffer to the Nishisakwick Creek, a high quality tributary of the Delaware River.

Mr. Middleton and Ms. Ramirez agreed to a bargain sale of the development rights for farmland preservation at 80% of the fair market value. The land trust utilized funding from grants it had received from the State Agricultural Development Committee's non-profit program, Kingwood Township, and Alexandria Township. The land trust will hold the farmland easement and is responsible for monitoring the property annually to ensure that the current and future owners abide by its terms.

"We've worked hard to secure and invest grant funds in this county that are made available by the State Agricultural Development Committee specifically for non-profit organizations, and we are thankful that this funding exists," said Margaret Waldock, executive director of the Hunterdon Land Trust. This is the first project the land trust has closed using this funding source."What's especially rewarding is working with a family like this, with such a strong commitment to seeing their farm remain a part of the county's agricultural landscape. Farming has been an integral part of the Middleton/ Ramirez families and Hunterdon County and we should all be grateful for landowners willing to participate in programs like this."

It was the culmination of a long held dream for the Middleton's father, John Middleton, and one that his children shared. John grew up on a farm in Nebraska and he and his wife Evans, known as Nellie Evans, purchased the farmland in New Jersey in 1945 and moved their family there in 1946. They were originally poultry farmers and the whole family helped with the business. "We had 2,000 birds and I remember taking eggs to the Flemington Egg Auction," said Ms. Ramirez. "When I was eight years old, I would help with vaccinating chickens, hauling water, and collecting eggs before school." Around 1950, the Middleton's started a nursery and soon after phased out the poultry business.

John Middleton and his wife were well known in farming circles and the community. Mr. Middleton was the President of the Hunterdon Board of Agriculture. In 1965, the Hunterdon County Farmer Businessman's Picnic was held at the Middleton Farm. Years ago, John Middleton signed his farm up in Hunterdon County's Eight Year Program, a program intended to secure long term options to preserve the property after eight years. Unfortunately, after the eight years lapsed, the County didn't have the funding to preserve the farm.

"We are grateful for the Hunterdon Land Trust's help in making my father's dream a reality. It's been wonderful working with them, especially Kate Buttolph [the land trust's land acquisition specialist]. She was quick to respond and supportive throughout the whole process," commented Ms. Ramirez.