For over 175 years, one family has stood firm on a modest but meaningful piece of land in Cranbury, New Jersey. Now, despite decades of turning down $20–30 million offers, Andy Henry finds himself fighting not against developers—but against his own local government, which is moving to seize the farm by eminent domain to build affordable housing.
The 21-acre farm, nestled on South River Road in Middlesex County, is the last agricultural holdout in a sea of warehouses, highways, and distribution hubs. The Henry family’s commitment has withstood changing economic tides, infrastructure development like the New Jersey Turnpike, and relentless buyout attempts. But in April 2025, Andy Henry received a letter from the Cranbury Township Committee: agree to sell—or the land would be taken by force.
“My family sacrificed on this land for 175 years. All the other farms disappeared. We did not. We will not,” Henry said.
The farm, still used for raising cattle and sheep, is leased and maintained—offering a rare pastoral view amid industrial sprawl. According to Henry, its preservation was not just a family decision but a civic one: “The town loves driving by and seeing something besides warehouses.”
Cranbury is under pressure to meet state mandates, including a requirement to add 265 affordable housing units over the next decade. The Committee voted on May 12 to initiate eminent domain proceedings against the Henry property, a move that Henry’s attorney, Timothy Duggan, calls “misguided and rushed.”
“Government behavior should be the opposite—preserve instead of destroy,” Duggan stated. “This is not a proper, reasonable use of eminent domain.”
He also highlighted the absurdity of replacing a producing, historically significant farm—and a beloved local landmark—with housing units in the middle of an industrial zone. “You don’t put up housing complexes beside industrial complexes,” Duggan noted.
Local support for Henry has been overwhelming. At a public council meeting, townspeople rallied behind him, opposing the township’s action. Duggan says he’s found “no one” in favor of the eminent domain grab. “The public values this farm. They see its history, its beauty, and its contribution to community identity.”
Duggan and Henry are preparing to file a formal complaint and challenge the township’s action in court. Per New Jersey law, the eminent domain process will require justification and judicial review, steps Henry is prepared to fight every inch of the way.
For Henry, this isn’t about money—it’s about family, legacy, and principle. Despite millions in potential profit, he and his brother chose preservation. Ironically, that very decision made the land vulnerable to seizure.
“I doubt the township sees the irony, but they can only try to take it by eminent domain because we saved it from development offers in the first place,” Henry said.
The fight is personal. Henry recounts the hardships endured by generations of his family—from fires, to death, to economic strain. Yet, they never gave in. “They sacrificed. So will I and my brother.”
