Story and photos by Joseph Sapia
COLTS NECK – Entertainer Jon Stewart and his wife, Tracey, are now the owners of the historic Hockhockson Farm, where they plan to open a farm sanctuary-education center.
The Stewarts’ company, FSP LLC, also known as JTS Land Trust, bought the 45- acre farm, which is on Route 537 between Laird and Swimming River roads, for $4 million Sept. 16, according to the deed on file with the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office.
Hockhockson Farm consists of a farmhouse, two smaller houses, barns and farm outbuildings, horse corrals and the Laurino Farms farm stand. The farm dates to 1780, according to a sign formerly posted there. Attempts to reach the Foss, San Filippo and Milne law firm of Red Bank, which represents the Stewarts, for comment were unsuccessful. Stewart is the former host of “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central television.
In the past, the Stewarts, who live in Red Bank, have expressed an interest in building an 8,400-square-foot, two-story education-visitor center, among making other improvements on the property to educate visitors on farming and healthy eating, protecting farm animals and growing crops.
The Stewarts paid $4 million for the 45-acre farm in Colts Neck last month.
The Stewarts received approval from the Monmouth County Agriculture Development Board in May. Now, they are to appear before the township Planning Board for site plan approval – which could happen as early as the Nov. 10 or Dec. 13 meetings, said Timothy Anfuso, the township planner.
The Stewarts bought the farm from Hockhockson Farm LLC, or various members of the Cooke family which has owned the property for a “couple hundred years,” according to the testimony of Robert Cooke III before the county Agriculture Development Board. Cooke III had lived on the farm until recently.
Tracey Stewart, an animal advocate, is a former veterinary technician who lived on a farm as a child. Jon Stewart grew up in Mercer County.
Attempts to reach the Foss, San Filippo and Milne law firm of Red Bank, which represents the Stewarts, for comment were unsuccessful. Stewart is the former host of “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central television.
Attempts to reach the Foss, San Filippo and Milne law firm of Red Bank, which represents the Stewarts, for comment were unsuccessful. Stewart is the former host of “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central television.
