Trump Administration Intervenes to Protect 175-Year-Old Family Farm from Eminent Domain
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the Trump administration, has stepped in to oppose a local government’s attempt to seize a 175-year-old family farm in Cranbury via eminent domain.
Brothers Christopher and Andy Henry have owned the property for over a decade, currently leasing it for cattle farming. Despite rejecting offers up to $30 million from developers, the brothers say Cranbury Township plans to take the land to construct state-mandated affordable housing.
They argue that the site—near existing warehouse facilities—is unsuitable and that other locations would be more appropriate. Township officials, however, claim eminent domain is necessary to avoid costly legal challenges from developers.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has become directly involved, contacting Andy Henry and assuring him that federal support will explore every legal route to safeguard the farm. Rollins emphasized that “family farms must be protected at all costs,” even as she acknowledged that eminent domain falls under local jurisdiction.
Officials have indicated they would pay fair market value if the seizure proceeds.
With input from Fox Business
