Seven Farmland Parcels Purchased in Cutchogue

“This is a remarkable project for which we are very grateful to the Bacon Family Trust and the team at Mattituck Farm Holdings for putting their faith in us to ensure this productive agricultural land will be accessible to farmers and in production for generations to come.” - John v.H. Halsey, President, Peconic Land Trust.

This January, the Peconic Land Trust purchased 151.93 acres of farmland from Mattituck Farm Holdings, owned by the Bacon Family Trust. These 7 separate parcels are within the Oregon Road Farm Belt in Cutchogue. They are protected with Town of Southold Development Rights Easements. These acres will be available for farming forever.

We are pleased to have immediately sold some of the land to local farmers, Fred Lee of Sang Lee Farms and Anthony and Lisa Sannino of Sannino Vineyards, through our Farms for the Future Initiative.

“I am extremely pleased to be involved with the Peconic Land Trust on the acquisition of this 26-acre Mattituck Farm Holdings farm parcel in Cutchogue. Having worked with Dan Heston and John Halsey for many years, I can say that it is a confirmation of their continuing commitment in helping family operated farms, like Sang Lee Farms, remain in food production,” said Fred Lee, adding: “Farmland ownership does not guarantee, but most certainly aids, our resilience in growing food for our community in the challenging industry and landscape of eastern Long Island.”

“We are extremely appreciative of the opportunity to work with the Peconic Land Trust and especially Dan Heston. As a growing vineyard in Southold Town, it is essential to expand our production on land that we own to secure the ongoing success of the Sannino family,” said Anthony Sannino, adding, “The second generation of Sannino’s is becoming actively involved in our operation with hopes of continuing its expansion. We hope to see more of these opportunities for the broader farming community so that we all thrive in our town.”

The Trust is looking forward to working with the local farming community through leases and additional sales for farmland in the months and years to come. Some of the farmland will be leased to farmers in our incubator program looking to move into the next phase of operations.

To learn more about the Farms for the Future Initiative, please contact Dan Heston, Director of Agricultural Programs, at DHeston@PeconicLandTrust.org.