Farmland Conservation

Bridgehampton

Thanks to community members and the Town of Southampton, the Peconic Land Trust acquired 27 acres of farmland in Bridgehampton from the Topping family in April. “When we realized that the Topping Farm Property was about to be sold for residential development, our family became determined to find a conservation alternative. We were very fortunate to be introduced to the Peconic Land Trust who worked tirelessly to put a deal together and helped the neighbors raise the necessary private funds,” said Lew Frankfort who lives adjacent to the farm.

In December 2023, the Trust entered into a contract with the Topping family to purchase 27 acres of productive farmland located on Halsey Lane in Bridgehampton. The farmland, which has been farmed for over 150 years by the family, has some of the most productive soils on Long Island – Bridgehampton silt loam and haven loam. This farmland preservation effort was a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve land in an area with some of the most expensive real estate indicative of the agricultural history and landscape of eastern Long Island.

The donation of $18 million from community members — over 25 donors — along with $30 million in funding from the Town of Southampton’s Community Preservation Fund made this conservation possible. In addition to the traditional development rights restrictions for agricultural land purchased by the Town, this easement also includes enhanced restrictions limiting the land to food production farming while ensuring that it will always be affordable to farmers.

“This is truly a conservation deal of a lifetime. We are thankful to the Town of Southampton and the many, many community members who saw how special and important this opportunity was and came together to make it happen. We especially thank Lew Frankfort and his family, along with Greg Holbrook, who were instrumental in the fundraising for this conservation success,” said John v.H. Halsey, President of the Peconic Land Trust. 

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A Request for Proposals to purchase the protected farmland was issued earlier this month.

To learn more about this project, contact Kim Quarty, Director of Conservation Planning at KQuarty@PeconicLandTrust.org.

Protected Farmland in Cutchogue Sold

to Will Lee

“This is a great opportunity for our family, which is about to embark on the 4th generation, to continue and expand our farm operation,” said Will Lee, the third generation of his family to farm and who is expecting his first child soon with partner Lucy Senesac.

This May, the Peconic Land Trust sold 41.78 acres of farmland in Cutchogue to Will Lee through our Farms for the Future Initiative. The property, located within the Oregon Road Farm Belt, was acquired by the Trust from Mattituck Farm Holdings and is protected with Suffolk County Development Rights Easements. This follows similar acquisitions and farmland resales to qualified farmers announced in January. The January announcement involved 151.93 acres that were conserved in perpetuity by the Town of Southold with the assistance of the Peconic Land Trust. Collectively, these parcels are part of over 240 acres protected by the Bacon Family Trust / Mattituck Farm Holdings in this area.

“Once again we thank the Bacon Family Trust and the team at Mattituck Farm Holdings for putting their faith in us to ensure that this productive agricultural land will be accessible to farmers and in production for generations to come,” said John v.H. Halsey, President, Peconic Land Trust.

To learn more about the Farms for the Future Initiative, please contact Dan Heston, Director of Agricultural Programs at DHeston@PeconicLandTrust.org.

New Farmer at Edwards Farm in Orient

The Peconic Land Trust is pleased to welcome Bishudat Jaikaran – Jai – to the five-acre Edwards Farm in Orient. Originally from Guyana, Jai and his wife Sandra have lived in New York for 20 years, raising two children, owning restaurants and being part of their Richmond Hill community in Queens. Jai has always wanted to farm, something he did from the earliest age back in Guyana. “Jai has a real passion for growing and we are so pleased to welcome him to the Edwards Farm this season,” said Dan Heston, Director of Agricultural Programs at the Peconic Land Trust.

Prior to joining the Trust’s farming program, Jai farmed both in western Suffolk County and southern New Jersey. This month, starter plants that Jai has cultivated in a greenhouse were transplanted into the fields at Edwards Farm. With a focus on peppers and long beans, Jai and Sandra will also be growing complementary vegetables and fruits, including spinach, bok choy, okra, squash, pumpkins, and watermelons, that will be sold in markets in Queens. He also hopes to provide produce to local food pantries as the season progresses.

“You have to love what you do, know what you will do with it, and grow what the people will want to buy. I’m so happy to have met Dan and to find this beautiful place to grow food and look forward to the opportunity,” said Jai.

Come and say hi to Jai when you see him out working in the fields.

To learn more about the Farms for the Future Initiative, please contact Dan Heston, Director of Agricultural Programs at DHeston@PeconicLandTrust.org.

Stop & Shop Community Bag Program

We’re excited to share that every $2.50 Community Bag purchased this month at the Stop & Shop located at 167 Main St., Southampton, will send a $1 donation to us!

The Stop & Shop Community Bag Program, launched in May 2019, is a reusable bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work. The Trust is honored to be selected as the June 2024 beneficiary of the program by store leadership at the Southampton Stop & Shop.

You make our work possible. Thank you!

Peconic Land Trust | 631.283.3195 | Info@PeconicLandTrust.org

Peconic Land Trust conserves Long Island’s working farms, natural lands, and heritage for our communities now and in the future. To learn more, visit us online at www.PeconicLandTrust.org.

The Peconic Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The majority of our support comes from our donors! We do not receive the 2% real estate transfer tax. Click here to learn more.

Financial Disclosure Statement: A copy of the last financial report filed with the New York State Attorney General may be obtained in writing to: New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau, Attn: FOIL Officer, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005 or Peconic Land Trust.