Merrick Farm

Howell
Completed in 2001, 66 acres

Susan Keymer owned 66 acres of land being farmed for herbs and organic vegetables. She applied to the County for the sale of the development rights on her property. The county approved her application in the amount of $600,000 for those rights. The money was not forthcoming for several months. Meanwhile, the farm was to be put up for Sheriff’s sale and Ms. Keymer could have lost it to a developer.

Monmouth Conservation Foundation provided a bridge loan to pay off the arrears and to carry the mortgage until the funds came through from the County. In September 2001, the monies from the County were distributed and MCF was paid back for the loan with interest. Now, the farm is preserved forever.