Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm
About
From 23 acres acquired from the Charnews family in 2008, the Agricultural Center has grown to 80 acres of productive farmland along Young's Avenue north and south of Route 48.
As one of the locations for the Trust's Farms for the Future Initiative, the Ag Center provides farmers, both established and start-ups, affordable access to productive land. Farm operations at the Ag Center have ranged from 1-acre start-up vegetable farms to organic poultry operations to larger multi-crop established farm operations.
Hear from Priscilla and Leslie Howard of Priscilla’s Farm. They currently farm 3.5 acres at the Ag Center as part of the Trust’s Farms for the Future Initiative.
Community Gardens at the Ag Center:
2024 will be the 16th season for the Community Gardens at the Ag Center. With over 40 individual plots — ranging in sizes — there is something for growers from the novice to the experienced.
Garden Plot Sizes:
- Small - 5’ x 10’
- Small Plus PV - 4’ x 20’
- Medium - 10’ x 20’
- Large - 20’ x 20’
- Extra Large - 30’ x 20’
For more information, contact Stewardship Manager Brendan Minogue at 631.379.9456 or BMinogue@PeconicLandTrust.org!
The Agricultural Center was one of the locations featured in Growing Farmers, a video about the Trust’s work with next generation farmers. Watch now:
The Conservation Story
In early April 2008, the Peconic Land Trust acquired 23.4 acres of farmland in Southold from the Charnews Family, which included an 1889 farmhouse, barn, and accessory buildings. The Trust purchased the farmland by borrowing from its Stewardship Fund. Following the acquisition, the Trust sold the development rights on the farmland to the Town of Southold, partially reimbursing the Stewardship Fund.
In 2009, the Trust worked with a group of local residents, The Friends of Charnews Farm, to complete the fundraising — with over 80 donations from local supporters and a generous matching donation from one of the Trust’s long time supporters to close the gap.
Given the property’s unique location and characteristics, the Trust remains committed to actively cultivating the farmland to promote local agriculture and regional food.
For more on the conservation story, see our Fall 2014 newsletter in addition to an in-depth feature story written by Carrie Miller for The Suffolk Times in April 2014.
Visitor Information
Please stop by and look around. Information can be found in the barn, and by the entrances to both the fields and the demonstration garden.
Download
Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm
3005 Youngs Ave, Southold, NY 11971
Things To Do
Birdwatching
Photography
Nature Study
Gardening
Get Involved
Interested in honoring a loved one or commemorating a milestone? Support our Memorials at Preserves program and deepen your connection to this special place.
