Grossmann's Farm to open its doors once again

Rain or shine, Grossmann’s Farm is opening its doors next month.

Farmer Bill Walsh will be at the Malverne farm on April 30 at 9 a.m. ready to answer questions and share his plans and activities with community members, who will have the opportunity to purchase bedding plants and flowers, and Community Supported Agriculture coupon books.   

Andrea Panaritis, community liaison to the Nassau Land Trust, said that the farm will open as scheduled even though there is still some work to be done. She said all the buildings have been painted and repaired. They’ve had new windows and doors installed, and all gutters and awnings replaced. The greenhouse is still under repair and the inside of the main barn still needs to be painted before opening.

“We currently need volunteers to help refurbish the greenhouse and to prep and paint the inside of the barn,” Panaritis said. She added that much of the work is weather dependent so the volunteer times and dates may vary.

The barn that was partially demolished last August when a car crashed into it has not been rebuilt. “[It was] the place that we had hoped to use as a classroom,” Panaritis said, adding that right now there are no plans to rebuild the barn because the farm does not have enough funds.

But even without a classroom, students are visiting the farm to learn and help out. Eighth graders from Waldorf School of Garden City and ninth graders from Malverne High School visited the farm last Friday, and planted onion seeds in flats.

In a recent email, the Nassau Land Trust encouraged residents and farm supporters to get involved in making Grossmann’s Farm a working farm once again.

“To help make the farm a success we need your support,” the email read. “We know many of you are excited to get your hands dirty.”

It urged community members to sign up for the volunteer email list through its website, www.nassaulandtrust.com. Those interested in helping out at the farm should stop by or contact the Nassau Land Trust at 1-888-547-5757 or info@nassaulandtrust.org.