Long Island Small Farm Initiative

The Long Island Small Farm Initiative is a consortium that brings together a diverse group of Long Island organizations all sharing an interest in local food, land use, the farm-to-table chain, and the social interaction between farmers and community residents. The Initiative has the potential to connect thousands of like-minded people in Nassau and Suffolk Counties as well as in Westchester County and New York City. Our aim is to facilitate gatherings and dialogue among these groups and individuals in order to advance efforts to preserve local agriculture and to expand the sources of locally grown food for our community.

Several successful land and food-oriented programs are already well underway. For nearly eight years, North Shore Land Alliance, the lead sponsor of the Small Farm Summit, has worked to preserve open space by building stronger relationships between land and the people it supports. Sustainable Long Island partners with a student-run market in underserved communities. Long Island Community Agricultural Network created a community garden in Huntington Station. Suffolk County founded a Victory Garden Task Force and the Girl Scouts of Oyster Bay are growing vegetables for a food-bank. The Long Island Small Farm Initiative hopes to be the avenue through which these and other similar groups can interact and grow stronger.

 

Mission Statement

The 2011 Small Farm Summit marked the beginning of an on-going effort to cultivate active community support of sustainable local agriculture. The Summit will feature a full day of educational discussions and networking opportunities aimed at building community awareness and facilitating positive environmental action. We seek to secure commitments by residents, businesses, municipalities, schools, religious entities, and civic associations to support sustainable efforts in local food productions, farmland preservation, food waste reduction and recycling, water conservation, and agricultural education.

 

Goals and Objectives

The help strengthen the local food system and to increase community awareness of and access to more locally-produced food. Our two-year objectives are as follows:

• Increase awareness of both organic and conventional agricultural efforts in our community and encourage interest in local food sources including CSA, retail markets, farm stands, and restaurants.


• Educate the community on the skills and resources needed to grow healthy fruits and vegetables on small farms as well as in home, school, and community gardens.


• Advocate for legislative initiatives that protect agricultural land and promote sustainable farming.


• Support efforts to make local food affordable and available to hunger action organizations, schools, and hospitals.

 

Who Should attend the Summit

Educators, Farmers, Parents, Municipalities, Restaurant owners, Chefs, Land Trusts, Not-for-Profits, Community Leaders, and Concerned Citizens.

Why You Should Attend the Summit

Nutritious food from local, fertile farms is important to the vitality of our community. By choosing to eat locally, individuals can bolster the local economy and can help preserve agricultural land in the Long Island/NYC food shed. This conference is an oportunity to share your knowledge and to network with others.