Charnews Farm

View of Charnews Farm

Charnews Farm Field

Friends of Charnews Committee members Drianne Benner and John and Sally Henry

Charnews Farm

Presentation at Friends of Charnews Meeting November 2008

Farmland News

In 2010, Fred Lee of Sang Lee Farms will again be leasing the farmland. Please visit their website or call 631.734.7001 to learn more about their CSA.

In addition to Fred Lee, two new farmers will also have a presence at Charnews this year. Chris Browder of Browder's Birds will be leasing five acres for his poultry farm.  Chris sells his birds through Sang Lee's CSA, through other local farmers, and at the Westhampton Farmers Market.  Please email Chris or call 917.376.1999 to learn more.

Dan Machin of The Lone Acre will be leasing one acre for his 100 variety vegetable farm and will also be taking up residence at the house. Dan sells his produce mainly through a farmers market in Brooklyn, but also locally.  Please email Dan or call 631.320.1186 to learn more. 

To receive periodic updates on Charnews Farm, join the eNewsletter list. An archive of past eNewsletter on Charnews Farm is also available.

Upcoming Activities at the Farm

April 17: Creating Raised Beds for your Garden (see calendar)
April 23: Global Youth Service Day at Charnews Farm, in cooperation with the Town of Southold. Contact Maura Doyle to learn more and volunteer!

May 15:  Vegetable Gardening with Bill Sanok.

June 26: Container Garden Workshop with Walter Gaipa of Marion Gardens. (see calendar)

July 24:  Bugs - the Good, the Bad, the Beautiful, with Dan Gilrein. (see calendar) 

Flicks at the Farm: August 5 - The Wizard of Oz; 12th - Field of Dreams; 19th - Little Shop of Horros; and 26th - Wallace and Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

Charnews Farm 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 to the Town of Southold, thereby partially reimbursing the Stewardship Fund. In 2009, the Trust worked with a subcommittee, The Friends of Charnews Farm, in the on-going fundraising efforts. The acquisition phase of fundraising for the farm has been completed, 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 its unique location and characteristics, the Trust remains committed to actively cultivating the farmland to promote local agriculture and regional food. The Trust has continued to work with the Friends of Charnews Farm Committee to formulate a plan for community uses of the farmland.  In this regard, the Trust has arranged for the planting of vegetables to continue again this spring, and has also established a "Learning Garden" for community education initiatives. Meanwhile, the Friends of Charnews Farm is working diligently with the Trust to raise funds to support the farm, as well as to envision the many community benefits that this farm could provide in the future.

If you would like to help support this important agricultural initiative, Donate Now.

Here's How:
Click here for the Online Donation Form (please read the donor information sheet prior to making a donation)
or
Click here to download a PDF of the Donation Form (file is 3.1 MB and will take a few minutes to download) that you can print out and send to the Peconic Land Trust (please read the donor information sheet prior to making a donation):
By Mail: PO Box 1776, Southampton, NY 11969
By Fax: 631.283.0235
By Phone (credit cards accepted: MasterCard, Visa, American Express): 631.283.3195

Thank you for your support!