Nassau County Stays True to its Roots
Nassau News Staff Writer
With the go-green movement influencing our generation, many Long Islanders seek new ways to give a little back to their environment. Whether it means driving a hybrid car, eating natural organic foods or even volunteering as a way to give back to Mother Nature, taking the right action towards making the world a better place lies within Nassau County's own back yard.
To view this article as a video, click on the embedded player below. To read the transcript of this clip, click here
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Restoration Farm came to fruition in May of 2007 when Daniel Holmes, head grower at Restoration Farm, and his partner Caroline Fanning, assistant grower, learned that they had won Nassau County's bid competition for the farmland. Holmes and Fanning spent the remainder of 2007 preparing their fields for this summer, when farm operations begin full force at Old Bethpage Village Restoration.
For more information about Caroline Fanning and Daniel Holmes click here
To locate the farmland in Nassau County, explore the map below:
Click on the embedded video player below to view Daniel Holmes, the head grower at Restoration Farm, discuss the type of produce, goals, and purpose the farm has on Long Island. To view a transcript of this clip, click here
Thomas R. Suozzi, Nassau County Executive, is a driving force in Nassau County’s 'Healthy Nassau' campaign. The project's goal is to make Nassau the healthiest county in the nation.
In 2007, Restoration Farm was launched as part of the “Healthy Nassau” campaign. The farm encompasses seven non-contiguous acres at the southern tip of Old Bethpage Village Restoration.
The county signed a six-year use and occupancy permit contract with Restoration Farmers LLC, a new company formed by Daniel Holmes and Caroline Fanning, two young but experienced Long Island farmers. As part of the “Healthy Nassau" campaign, Restoration Farm will sell its produce to the public through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and a farm stand.
To view a video interview with Daniel Holmes talking about the CSA and the farm stand at Restoration Farm, click on the embedded player below. To view a transcript of this clip, click here
Restoration Farm operates on sustainable methods and adheres to the Farmers Pledge of NOFA-NY (the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York) for use of the land.
Restoration Farm will pay a percentage of its revenue to Nassau County. For more information about the farmstand click here.
Accompanying Old Bethpage Village Restoration, which is modeled after a 19th century-village, Restoration Farm is a separate operation committed to modern growing methods but it stays true to its organic roots. Those who volunteer on the farm do their part in maintaining the history of the Old Bethpage Restoration, but it also reminds visitors that faming is not just a thing of the past.
Click on the embedded player below for interviews with Restoration Farm workers and Long Island natives Irv Apgar and Joanne Graves. To view a transcript of this clip, click here.
Daniel Holmes and Caroline Fanning are native Long Islanders who seek innovative ways to get the community involved in the going green movement. They offer many volunteer opportunities to work hands on at Restoration Farm. For more information on ways to volunteer, click click here. To view the transcript of this clip click here
For the newly updated calendar of events at Restoration Farm, click (click here.
Take a virtual walk through the Restoration Farm by clicking on the embedded player below:
Here are some useful links for some additional information:
To view still images of the Restoration Farm, click here
To view the production memo for this article, click here
