Cain Farm

Richard Cain is outstanding in his field.

This barn is one of the oldest four in the county.

The Hunterdon Land Trust beat the clock and preserved one last farm in 2008, adding another 53 acres of prime farmland to the thousands of acres of permanently protected farmland in Hunterdon County. The farm, owned by Richard Cain on Milford-Mt. Pleasant Road in Holland Township, was long a priority for both the land trust and Hunterdon County, having been considered for preservation as early as 2004 but regularly missing the cut due to state funding constraints. Preservation of the farm was finally made possible through the efforts of the land trust and specifically by a grant to the trust from the State Agricultural Development Committee’s non-profit funding program.

“Mr. Cain has been more than patient through this process and we were very happy to pick up the project after funding to the county from the state fell through” said Margaret Waldock the executive director of the land trust. “It’s a nice way to end the year, another farm preserved in Hunterdon County.”

The Hunterdon County Agricultural Development Committee and Holland Township both provided funding to match the land trust’s grant to make this project possible. In addition Mr. Cain accepted a bargain sale price for the development rights on his farm that will permanently restrict development of the farm, the realization of a long held dream.

When Mr. Cain acquired the old Greco Farm in 1999, the property was worse for wear.  Farm buildings were collapsing on the property and it was overgrown with multi-flora rose and other invasive plants, but still seemed like a good purchase for Mr. Cain. “I always liked this area. I was living in Belle Mead where there was so much development going on all around my family home. I wanted a more rural life. I worked on a dairy farm as a kid.” Mr. Cain had a vision for his property and he’s been busy cleaning it up ever since he became its owner. His first battle: the multi-flora rose bushes and piles of debris. “I found 4 old cars in the underbrush.” He said. He also demolished the collapsing buildings of little value to the farm but did invest in a new roof for the impressive barn. It was later revealed that the barn on the property is one of the four oldest in the county, with the original structure dating back to the late 1700’s.Today, the property consists primarily of open fields planted in hay and two pastures with horses.

After Mr. Cain revitalized his farm, he wanted to keep it “forever rural”.  “There is so much development going on. I believe in being a good steward of the land so we can pass it onto the next generation in decent shape,” said Mr. Cain. Back in 2004 he attended a workshop on farmland preservation sponsored by the Holland Township agriculture committee. He then applied for preservation funding but the state ran out of money to fund his farm, even though it was ranked high by both the county and the township. Through this process Mr. Cain met Larry LaFevre, who has been involved with historic preservation in Holland Township for many years and is now on the board of trustees of the Hunterdon Land Trust. Mr. LaFevre visited the Cain farm and discovered the historic significance of the barn and also the beauty of the land.

Mr. LaFevre shared Mr. Cain’s interest in seeing the farm preserved. In mid-2007, Mr. LaFevre put Mr. Cain in touch with the Hunterdon Land Trust’s land acquisition specialist, Kate Buttolph. The Hunterdon Land Trust received a grant from the State Agricultural Development Committee in 2006 specifically to preserve farmland in Holland Township. This funding could be used for 50% of the cost of purchasing a farmland easement on Mr. Cain’s property. Ms. Buttolph worked with Holland Township and Hunterdon County to provide the balance of the funding. “It was a nice partnership working together,” commented Mr. Cain. “The land trust provided money and imagination.”

The Hunterdon 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 are grateful to Richard Cain for his vision and determination to preserve his farm for future generations. Working farms are one of New Jersey’s most precious assets and protecting them is critical to sustaining our communities,” said Margaret Waldock, Hunterdon Land Trust executive director.