Last farm in Sayreville is preserved
Preserved farmland in Gloucester County. Image via the GSPT.
The last working farm in Sayreville has been preserved, Charles Kuperus, the state’s agriculture secretary, announced yesterday.
The borough purchased development rights to the nearly 17-acre Dieker Farm, off Bordentown Avenue, earlier this month for about $3.468 million, according to the Home News Tribune. Three-fourths of the money came from the State Agriculture Development Committee, which administers the state’s Farmland Preservation Program, and the rest, from Sayreville.
Margaret Dieker, who owns the land, will receive payments and continue to own the land, but won’t be able to develop it. Established in 1903, the farm yields an assortment of fresh produce and is operated by Margaret’s son Jim Dieker.
“I think it’s terrific,” Jim Dieker told the Home News Tribune. “It’s not only my livelihood, but my whole life. I just didn’t want to see it go away. My only regret is that my father was not around to see it happen. He was born on this farm and died on this farm. He lived and breathed this farm. He would have been so happy. We’re also very grateful for the help of those people behind the scene, including CME Engineers and borough officials.”
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