Donor Spotlight | Bobbie Braun: Supporting Access to Food and Art on the East End

Attracted by the views, light, air, and seasons of the South Fork, Bobbie Braun moved to Bridgehampton 30 years ago. The area was planted with potatoes, cows, and corn when she first got here. Over the past three decades, she has seen rapid development take over.

However, as the 4th generation to run her family foundation, The Neuwirth Foundation, Bobbie has been able to counter some of the change. She makes targeted donations like those through her membership to Bridge Gardens and the Trust’s Quail Hill Farm Farm to Food Pantry Program, and serves on committees and boards of local non-profits, including the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center (The Center). Her guiding principles are to help people – of all ages, for all reasons – through art, education, conservation, and science. “We need to preserve what we can. I’m thrilled with what the Trust is doing and grateful I can do this kind of work through the foundation.”

A member of Bridge Gardens since 2011, she always starts her tours at the community garden plots. “The amount of food they’re capable of growing on these small plots – pounds and pounds of vegetables – is amazing!” There are many aspects of agriculture and gardening that Garden Director Rick Bogusch is able to highlight throughout the 5-acre property, including a focus on native plants and herbs and the food values they present. “Bridge Gardens is the best kept secret around here. I only hope that more people could learn about it.” Thanks to Bobbie, a collaboration between the garden and The Center is in the works that will enable Rick to share his knowledge.

Connecting people, young and old, to local food is essential to her and the Foundation. As Quail Hill Farm’s Farm to Food Pantry Program enters its third year, support from donors like Bobbie allows us to continue this partnership free-of-charge to The Center. In addition to providing fresh produce to The Center, this year’s program will include monthly cooking demos for client families of The Center.

One focus of Bobbie’s that cannot be missed is the value of art. This summer you’ll see Bobbie and her fellow members of The Wednesday Group paint en plein air at Bridge Gardens. Their artwork will be displayed and available for sale at one of the Members-Only music nights this summer. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the gardens.

We are thankful to Bobbie Braun for sharing her story with us. Your support, along with Bobbie’s, allows us to continue to protect and share natural resources on the East End.

To learn more about the Farm to Food Pantry Program, contact Amanda Abraham, Director of Development at AAbraham@PeconicLandTrust.org.

Interested in becoming a Bridge Gardens Member? Visit our website to join and contact Kathy Kennedy, Senior Manager of Outreach at KKennedy@PeconicLandTrust.org to learn more.