More Farmland Protected in Calverton: Fire Chicken Farm
June 17, 2026
By Yvette DeBow-Salsedo
We are so pleased to see that the protection of 34 acres of farmland was recently announced by Suffolk County. Fire Chicken Farm, located on Middle Road in Calverton, is currently planted in cover crops and is transitioning to a commercial horse boarding operation.
The Peconic Land Trust’s work is both in front of and behind the scenes. The Trust's Senior Project Manager, Julie Wesnofske, worked with the family and the County to move this exciting farmland conservation project forward.
In the Riverhead News Review, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said: “Farmland preservation is one of Suffolk County’s most important and enduring investments. By closing on the purchase of development rights for this Calverton property, we are helping the agricultural economy and preserving the open space and rural landscape that makes Suffolk County unique. This is exactly why our Farmland Program was created.”
The Suffolk County Farmland Program was started in 1974 – and is the oldest farmland protection program in the country. The County’s program is a model for farmland protection, and to date, over 10,000 acres of farmland have been protected through this program. We are honored to work with the county and landowners to further farmland conservation for future generations.
Our work on this effort goes back to 2019, when the former owners of the property, the Pufahl family, reached out to us after receiving a mailing to owners of unprotected farmland in the Town of Riverhead. The outreach mailing was underwritten by a grant from New York State Agriculture and Markets. Working with the family and then with the new owners, the Trust assisted them in getting the farm back into active agriculture and ready for this opportunity.
This current conservation success adds to a block of 43.5 acres of farmland the Trust helped protect in the area.
We wish Fire Chicken Farms all the best!
Yvette DeBow-Salsedo
Vice President
ydebow@peconiclandtrust.org