Our Work / Farms for the Future
Farmland Leasing Program
photo by Mallory Samson
Although the Trust has leased farmland to farmers since its inception, as part of our Farms for the Future Initiative the Trust has developed and formalized a Farmland Leasing Program for both new and established farmers.
This program provides farmers that have an emphasis on food production and who are looking to begin or expand their agricultural operations with assistance and access to affordable farmland.
For more information, including the application requirements, please read the Farmland Leasing Program Information and Application Packet. Applications will be accepted until March 1st of the upcoming growing season.
Applications received after March 1st will be considered depending on land availability, the proposed operation, and the availability of staff and the Farms for the Future Advisory Committee to review and process the application.
If you have any further questions about the Farms for the Future Initiative or the Farmland Leasing Program, please contact Jessie McSwane-Marcus, Senior Stewardship Manager, at (631) 283-3195, or Dan Heston, Director of Agricultural Programs, at (631) 734-5630. We look forward to hearing from you.
Have you had the chance to see Growing Farmers, the award winning documentary by filmmaker Michael Halsband and Hilary Leff about the Peconic Land Trust’s work with East End farmers? Check out the video here:
Farms for the Future Locations
The Peconic Land Trust currently operates centers where a mix of food production agricultural operations are working together through leases:
Quail Hill Farm Preserve and the Deborah Light & Town Lane Preserves, Amagansett:
Since 1989, the Peconic Land Trust has operated a Community Supported Agriculture Farm at Quail Hill Farm -- today, over 250 families participate in this unique CSA program on over 30 acres of land in Amagansett. The farm has graduated over 120 "apprentice" farmers.
In addition to Quail Hill, the Peconic Land Trust leases land in Amagansett to farmers growing food on the adjacent Deborah Light and Town Lane Preserves. Farmers who have leased land at the preserves include:
- Amber Waves Farm: vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers
- Balsam Farms: vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers
- Bees’ Needs: honey
- Mike Tracey: vegetables
- Ocean to Earth Gardens: vegetables, herbs, and flowers
- Sand & Soil: vegetables
- Summerhill Farm: trees and plants (nursery)
- Three Sons Farm: vegetables donated to local food pantries
Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm, Southold:
From 23 acres acquired from the Charnews family in 2008, the Agricultural Center has grown to nearly 100 acres of productive farmland on Young's Avenue north and south of Route 48.
The Trust operates a community garden and learning garden at the main site on Young's Avenue, in addition to leasing farmland to new and established farmers. Farmers who have leased land at the AgCenter include:
- Akio Shoji: Japanese vegetables
- Fire for Effect Farm: vegetables
- Hampton Oyster Co.: oysters
- Heirloom Taste: tomatoes and other heirloom varieties
- Mighty Acre Farm: organic produce, cut flowers, and herbs,
- Pastured Provisions Farm: poultry
- Priscilla’s Farm: vegetables and flowers
- Sweet Woodland Farm: medicinal and culinary herbs
- Deep Roots Farm: fruits and vegetables and pasture-raised animals
- Sang Lee Farms: vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers,
. . . and at the North Fork Stewardship Center, Peconic Escargot.
Hayground Farm, Bridgehampton:
Acquired by the Trust in 2013, Hayground Farms is 20 acres of productive farmland.
- Bonac Bees: honey
- Remi Wesnofske Farms and Yellow Farm: vegetables
Interested in leasing land at one of the centers, contact
