Peconic Land Trust Announces Sale of Protected Farmland to Catapano Dairy Farm
August 20, 2026
By Yvette DeBow-Salsedo
Peconic Land Trust announced the sale of 6.88 acres of farmland in Southold Town to Erin and Connor Burke of Catapano Dairy Farm. The farmland was made available for purchase to qualified farmers by the Trust in a Request for Proposals (RFP) process in February 2026.
The Burkes had been leasing the land as pastureland for their goats -- under the Trust’s Farms for the Future Initiative leasing program -- and submitted a proposal that was selected by the Trust’s Farmland Selection Committee. The transfer of the land to Catapano Dairy Farm was completed on July 7, 2026. The farmland sits adjacent to the Catapano farm on Route 48 in the hamlet of Peconic.
“We are excited to announce this sale and to see this farmland transfer to Erin and Connor,” said John v.H. Halsey, President of the Peconic Land Trust. The land was donated to the Trust in 2019 by Anne Hubbard, who had sold the development rights to the Town of Southold in 2000 for one dollar. For years, the Trust worked with Anne and her husband Tom on land protection initiatives, especially farmland conservation.
“Anne and Tom saw land for its best purpose, agriculture and natural landscapes, and were proactive in buying and protecting land here on the North Fork. We are honored to be able to carry their legacy forward,” added John.
In 2020, Erin and Connor Burke purchased Catapano Dairy Farm from Karen and Michael Catapano who started the goat farm in 2003 – and who graciously allowed the Burkes to keep the Catapano name. The farm has produced award winning cheese since its second year in operation. Today, Catapano Dairy Farm’s herd sits at approximately 100 and is open to the public three days a week. The Burkes have made the North Fork their home and are raising their children on the farm. In addition to cheese, the farm produces a line of soaps and skincare products.
"We are grateful to the Peconic Land Trust for the opportunity to purchase this land and for its commitment to preserving farmland and open spaces. Expanding our pastures will help us continue caring for our herd in the healthiest way possible," said Erin and Connor Burke, owners of Catapano Dairy Farm.
“The Burkes have been a welcome addition to the agricultural community on the North Fork. We are thrilled to be able to work with them to expand their farm and transition this pastureland to their ownership and stewardship,” added Dan Heston, Senior Director of Agricultural Programs for the Trust.
“It is land resales such as this one that make the Trust’s Farms for the Future Initiative an important part of the agricultural landscape of the East End. We wish the Burke family all the best as they grow their farm,” said Jessica Murphy, Director of Conservation Planning for the Trust.
Dan Heston
Senior Director of Agricultural Programs
dheston@peconiclandtrust.org
Jessica Murphy
Director of Conservation Initiatives
jmurphy@peconiclandtrust.org
Yvette DeBow-Salsedo
Vice President
ydebow@peconiclandtrust.org