Great News for Local Food
November 24, 2025
By Yvette DeBow-Salsedo
In early November, NYS Department of Ag and Markets announced a new round of grants to 51 organizations around the state as part of it’s Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program – and the Trust’s Ag Center at Charnews Community Gardens is among the award recipients!
The funding will assist the Trust in expanding and improving the Southold-based community garden program, including the redesign of the garden plots for accessibility, expansion of the cultivation area, installation of irrigation and a greenhouse, and the planting of a small fruit orchard.
“With assistance from this funding, we aim to increase both the farm’s food system diversity, resilience and capacity and provide more food to local families and individuals. The Ag Center’s Community Gardens are truly a community space. The new funding will allow us offer this vital program to more people,” said Dan Heston, Director, Agricultural Programs.
The community gardens at the Ag Center are overseen by Robin Harris, Senior Stewardship Office Manager and avid gardener. “Gardening has been in my blood since I was a young girl. Meeting and working with the gardeners at the Ag Center has been a real joy and with this new grant, I’m looking forward to us building on the community we have established here and providing the space, access and programming to more people,” added Robin.
A portion of the $49,500 grant will be shared with another local organization, Hallockville Museum Farm in Riverhead. “Through a sub-award to Hallockville, the Trust is able to share the benefits of this program beyond our own garden program – creating a stronger regional network to address food insecurity and promote the benefits of sustainable agriculture to the broader community,” Dan adds.
Yvette DeBow-Salsedo
Vice President
ydebow@peconiclandtrust.org