What's New
Check back often to see the latest news regarding land conservation on Long Island.
To keep up with what's happening with the Trust, sign up for our eNewsletter. You can also check out the e-Newsletter archive for updates on Trust conservation activities, upcoming events, and news about Bridge Gardens, Quail Hill Farm and the Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm.
On the Screen
Growing Farmers, a new documentary about the work the Peconic Land Trust is doing with farmers on Long Island to address the issue of affordable farmland, premiered this fall at the Hamptons International Film Festival and is now playing on Plum TV.
SAVE THE DATE for these upcoming local screeenings with panel discussions:
- June 8 at the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library
Check our online calendar for details on the screenings.
The film, co-produced and directed by Michael Halsband, and co-produced by Trust Vice Chair Hilary Leff -- in conjunction with the Peconic Land Trust -- includes interviews with Trust President, John v.H. Halsey, Quail Hill Farm Director Scott Chaskey, Katie Baldwin and Amanda Merrow of Amber Waves Farm, Alex Balsam and Ian Calder-Piedmonte of Balsam Farms, Chris Browder of Browder's Birds, Trust Project Manager Stephen Searl and Trust North Fork Stewardship Manager Dan Heston, Chef Joe Realmuto of Nick & Toni's, philanthropist John deCuevas, and many more.
To see a preview of the film on YouTube, click here. To watch the 17-minute short, click here.
In the Garden
Bridge Gardens is now open for the 2013 season. Garden Manager Rick Bogusch will offer a special talk/walk through the Gardens each month with a focus on planting in different parts of the garden -- vegetable, perennials, roses, etc. For more information, including directions and RSVP information, visit our online calendar or call 631.283.3195.
Conservation Updates
Browder's Birds/Oregon Road Farm: At the end of December, the Trust sold 13.2 acres of protected farmland to Chris and Holly Browder of Browder's Birds, The Browders', one of the first lessees through the Trust's "Farms for the Future Inititive," began their pasture-raised, organic poultry operation on five acres at the Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm in 2010. To read more about this conservation story and about the Browder's plans, click here.
South Country Farms/Isabella Rossellini Easement: At the end of December, the Trust received a donation of a conservation easement from actress/philanthropist Isabella Rossellini on a 20.8 acre parcel in the hamlet of Brookhaven. To read more about this donation, click here.
ExxonMobil Donation in Greenport: In early December, the Trust announced that Exxon Mobil had donated a two acre parcel, a former terminal property for the company, in Greenport on Shelter Island Sound to the Trust. Additionally, a conservation easement on the property was donated to the Town of Southold. The Village of Greenport will be a party to the easement as well, ensuring that the property is preserved, in perpetuity, as natural habitat and open space. To read more about this donation, click here.
Sylvester Manor Update: In November, the Trust and the Sylvester Manor Educational Farm announced the preservation of an addtional 57 acres of agricultural land through a sale of development rights to Suffolk County and the Town of Shelter Island. This followed the August sale of development rights on 26 adjacent acres at Sylvester Manor, bringing the total of permanently protected farmland to more than 83 acres, and a total of 105 protected acres when combined with 22 acres of waterfront habitat and upland subject to a conservation easement donated by the owner, Eben Fiske Ostby, in 2009 to the Peconic Land Trust. To read more about this latest conservation, click here.
Update of Suffolk County Farmland Protection Plan: Suffolk County was awarded a grant by NYS Dept. of Agriculture for its New Farmland Protection Plan. The $50,000 grant, in combination with in-kind services from the County and a $10,000 grant from the Long Island Community Foundation to the Peconic Land Trust, will be used by the Department of Economic Development to identify specific strategies to strengthen the agricultural sector and expand its economic viability while ensuring that farmland and natural resources will be available for future generations. "In furtherance of our efforts to conserve Long Island's working farms, the Trust is honored to assist Suffolk County in updating its Farmland Protection Plan. Our thanks to Governor Cuomo, Commissioner Aubertine, Suffolk County, the Long Island Community Foundation and the Long Island Farm Bureau for making it possible. We look forward to fulfilling our role in this effort," said Trust President John v.H. Halsey. To read the County's press release on the grant, click here.
Farms for the Future/Farm Incubator Program: As part of our ongoing Farms for the Future Initiative, the Trust is developing and implementing an incubator for the next generation of farms and farmers. The Farm Incubator Program formalizes this work and provides farmers that have an emphasis on food production and who are looking to start or grow their commercial agricultural operations with access to productive farmland. Click here to learn more about this innovative program.
Connections Events:
Visit our Upcoming Calendar page for more information on programs this spring, summer and fall.
Keep in mind:
Bridge Gardens has reopened for the 2013 Season!
The Community Garden program at the Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm is taking applications for the 2013 season. Please contact Denise Markut if you are interested in joining this group in 2013.
We are accepting new applications for Summer CSA shares at Quail Hill Farm. Contact Robin Harris for more information at 631.283.3195.
For an online listing of Connections events . . . or
The July/August and May/June issues of Connections is available. Please note this is a PDF file (2MB).
The Peconic Land Trust's calendar of recreational & educational events.
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