Conservation News: Eastport Farmland and Woods Protected

Raynor Dibble Family Protects Farmland and Woods in Eastport for the Future

We have exciting news to share from Eastport! On May 4, the Peconic Land Trust acquired 13.6 acres of farmland and woodlands from the Mary G. Raynor Dibble Irrevocable Trust — including 9.4 acres of farmland that will be returned to active agricultural production this spring! The property is located between North Bay and Tuttle Avenues in the hamlet. 

Etta and her son Louis Tuttle are Trustees of the Mary G. Raynor Dibble Irrevocable Trust. In 2013, Etta came to the Trust to explore a conservation option for the family’s property, which includes prime agricultural soil and had been in the Raynor family — and historically farmed — for many generations. Working with the Town of Southampton, the Trust has acquired the land, with the Town of Southampton purchasing the development rights on all the land, including an enhanced easement for food production on the farmland. This is the first time farmland west of the Shinnecock Canal has been protected for food using this new tool!

Our thanks to Etta and Louis for choosing conservation as the late Mary Raynor Dibble would have wanted. We look forward to seeing this land back in agriculture!

“Protecting farmland is just part of the solution. Ensuring that our productive farmland is in the hands of working farmers — today and for the future — is equally important. We look forward to seeing this land back in active agriculture.” – John v.H. Halsey, President, Peconic Land Trust.