Jon and Tracey Stewart’s Sanctuary Plans Approved

This week, beloved comedian Jon Stewart and vegan animal activist wife Tracey appeared before the Colts Neck, New Jersey township planning board. The couple submitted their plans to turn the former Hockhockson Farm into a farmed animal sanctuary, which will also be used as an educational visitor center—with 15-acres allotted to grow food for the sanctuary’s animal residents, including chickens, pigs, cows, and sheep. Speaking in front of the board—which unanimously approved the couple’s plans—Jon thanked members for their support. “So much of the project is about community,” he said, “So you want the community that you are invested in to want you to be there and to be invested in it as well.” Last October, the couple revealed their intent to transform their 12-acre Middletown home into the fourth location of rescue organization Farm Sanctuary, and shortly thereafter, announced they would instead shift the location to the larger 45-acre property in Colts Neck. The Stewarts hope to open their sanctuary in 2018. They are now approved to host special events for up to 100 people twice per month, and fundraisers with a capacity of 250 people six times annually.