The future of Grossmann's Farm

Community members packed the Malverne Historical Society for a forum that addressed the future of Grossmann’s Farm.

The 10-year license agreement between Nassau County and the Nassau Land Trust was executed in January, but some residents in attendance said they have not seen any progress. Lloyd Zuckerberg, founder and chairman of Nassau Land Trust said, I “really admire communities who appreciate their history.” Zuckerberg grew up in the Five Towns and has family members across Long Island. He said, “We hope to make the farm a place you’ll be proud of.”

Malverne, a farming village since 1895, is home to Grossmann’s Farm, the longest running farm in Nassau County that has worked on by five generations of the family. The Grossmann’s have occupied the homestead on the farm since the 1860s and still live there to this day. Everyone knows where the farm is, said Robert Powers, Malverne’s village historian. They have been “neighbors and merchants [in Malverne] for over 100 years,” he said. “We’re happy it’s going to be a farm again.”

Zuckerberg stressed to residents that results on the way. “We need your patience,” he said. “We feel the anxiety in the community. This is the most exciting project we’ve ever been involved in.” According to Zuckerberg, the farm is planning community outreach, education and community supported agriculture (CSA) programs. A CSA program usually means people can buy a share of the farm in late winter or early spring and get a basket of produce every week during the season. For the upcoming growing season, he said a modest version of the CSA should be in place, incorporating a system of coupons rather than the purchasing of farm shares to cover operating costs. Zuckerberg said he is “excited about building on the legacy of Grossmann’s.”

Farmer Bill Walsh, who was hired by the Nassau Land Trust in August, said getting the farm going again was “like pulling a freight car with your teeth.” Walsh grew up in New Jersey but said he has family all over Long Island. He said his farming will adhere to organic principles and inspectors will periodically visit the farm. The farmer said he also hopes to bring more variety of fruits and vegetables to the property. Walsh said he has been growing garlic since October and estimates that a complete CSA program will be in place by 2012. “The place will always look nice as long as I’m there,” said Walsh. He added that “the support here is much better” than in other farming communities he has worked with.

Both Zuckerberg and Walsh hope that community members will volunteer and help out at the farm. Zuckerberg also mentioned that the farm plans to have summer interns. In addition, the farm will host school trips and service projects. A group of local eighth-graders is already scheduled to visit the farm every Friday starting this month. Zuckerberg said he plans to hire a volunteer coordinator in the near future .

Zuckerberg said the best way to be contact for volunteer work is through the Nassau Land Trust website, www.nassaulandtrust.org or by signing up for the volunteer email list. “We’re going to crawl before we walk,” Walsh said.

Walsh also said that there are plans to eventually bring animals to the farm and sell crops to residents, schools and local restaurants.

The farm operators would not provide the operating cost for the farm at the meeting, but Walsh said it will “be as economically viable as possible.” The farm’s budget is currently not posted on the Nassau Land Trust’s website. Walsh said he plans to make his prices “better than anything you can buy.”

Walsh said he plans to open Grossmann’s Farm for business on April 30.

According to the farm operators, they experienced a major setback when a car crashed into part of the barn complex last July.

Walsh, who is currently overhauling the greenhouse, said it still requires woodwork and paint. Nassau Land Trust is contractually obligated to add bathrooms, a kitchen and repair the cold room, used for storing vegetables, within the next 10 years.

Walsh said he already has plans to utilize  the kitchen for cooking demonstrations, such as a pizza-making workshop for local children.

The farm is not being financially supported by Nassau County, Zuckerberg said, and is currently running on gifts, donations and grants from foundations.

Zuckerberg and Walsh also emphasized the importance of monetary and equipment donations to help operate the Nassau Land Trust’s effort to continue the legacy of Grossmann’s Farm in Malverne.