Owner of 175-year-old farm left in ‘shock' as New Jersey town wants to seize his land for affordable housing
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Andy Henry and his brother Christopher own a 21-acre farm in Cranbury, New Jersey — land their maternal great-grandfather purchased in 1850. But after 175 years of family ownership, their legacy is now under threat as the local government tries to seize the property for an affordable housing project.
"We got a letter on April 24 informing us of this unfortunate decision that [Cranbury officials] wanted to take the entire 21 acres," Henry told Fox & Friends.
Henry described the notice as 'a shock.' The family pushed back, but the town hasn't backed down.
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'Now they're saying, 'Well, actually, we'll just take half of it and leave you the house.' That would leave us with a non-viable farm for at least 40 cows and many sheep,' he said.
Cranbury Township is seeking to seize the Henry family farm through eminent domain to make way for a developer to build state-mandated affordable housing, NJ.com reported. Eminent domain refers to the government's power to take private property for public use — with compensation but without the owner's consent.
The situation has drawn the attention of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.
In a post on X, Rollins said she had spoken with Henry and pledged to support the family in their legal battle.
'Whether the Maudes, the Henrys or others whom we will soon announce, the Biden-style government takeover of our family farms is over,' Rollins wrote.
'While this particular case is a city eminent domain issue, we @usda are exploring every legal option to help.'
As home prices and rents continue to climb — and local governments scramble to meet state housing mandates — tensions are mounting between development goals and property rights. The Henry family's fight in New Jersey is just one example of a broader issue playing out nationwide: America's deepening affordable housing crisis.
Many experts point to a fundamental lack of supply.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell emphasized this at a press conference last year, stating, 'The real issue with housing is that we have had and are on track to continue to have, not enough housing.' He highlighted the difficulty of finding and zoning land in desirable areas, asking, 'Where are we going to get the supply?'
A recent Realtor.com analysis indicates a shortfall of 3.8 million homes in America's housing supply.
Yet despite elevated prices, real estate remains one of the most sought-after assets — and for good reason. It's a tangible, income-generating investment that has historically performed well during periods of inflation.
When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts with inflation.
And while owning a home may feel increasingly out of reach, investing in real estate doesn't have to be. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived have made it easier than ever for everyday investors to access the market.
Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.
The process is simple: Browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you'd like to purchase, and then sit back as you start receiving positive rental income distributions from your investment.
Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.
With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.
Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.
Read more: This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases.
Henry said his farm is now surrounded by warehouses, and that his family has been 'turning down developers for years.'
That's no coincidence. Farmland in the U.S. has been steadily disappearing as urban sprawl swallows up agricultural land for commercial, residential and industrial use. In 1997, there were 955 million acres of agricultural land in America. By 2024, that number had dropped to 876 million — a loss of 79 million acres.
Savvy investors have taken note. After all, no matter what happens in the economy, people still need to eat.
According to the USDA, U.S. farmland values have steadily climbed over the past few decades, driven by increasing demand for food and limited supply of arable land.
These days, you don't need to buy an entire farm — or know how to grow crops — to get in on the opportunity.
FarmTogether is an all-in-one investment platform that lets qualified investors buy stakes in U.S. farmland. The platform identifies high-potential agricultural properties and then partners with experienced local operators to manage the land effectively.
Depending on the type of stake you want, you can get a cut from both the leasing fees and crop sales, providing you with cash income. Then, years down the line after the farm rises in value, you can benefit from the land appreciating and profit from its sale.
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