Key Piece of Farmland Preserved in Eastern Brookhaven

MARCH 7, 2007, FARMINGVILLE, NY-- Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley, and Councilwoman Carol Bissonette announced on Wednesday that they have joined forces to purchase the development rights for the Leuthardt Nursery in East Moriches.

“I am proud to be able to announce the protection of more farmland in the Town of Brookhaven,” said Supervisor Foley. “I am glad that I have been able to join with Councilwoman Bissonette and County Executive Levy in saving this land. Preserving family farms like the Leuthardt Nursery will help to protect the rich farming history of Brookhaven and ensure that generations to come will be able to learn about the time-honored traditions of our town.

“This is the latest of many, many purchases for open space and farmland preservation the town has made in the southeastern corner of Brookhaven Town. That is where much of our remaining open space and our remaining farmland is located, and the town has specifically targeted purchases in this part of town. We must ensure that our rich farming tradition will be a vital part of the future for generations to come, and it is families like the Leuthardts that make that possible.”

“Through this joint farmland acquisition, we not only preserve the land, but we maintain a way of life which has been passed down from generation to generation,” said County Executive Levy. "Supervisor Foley and the Brookhaven Town Board have been willing and active partners with the county in a number of preservation projects, which puts us in a better position to combat overdevelopment.”

“Today, with the joint acquisition of the development rights of the historic Luethardt farm, their legacy, past and present, will continue in the future,” said Councilwoman Bissonette. “Like their beautiful fruit trees and unique espaliers, this joint partnership intertwines their contributions to community, history and the farming industry in the years ahead.

“I am delighted and honored to celebrate the preservation of this key farming parcel through a continuing partnership between the county and the town. I thank Supervisor Foley, County Executive Steve Levy but most of all the Leuthardt family for being our partners in farmland preservation.”

“I am very happy that the agreement to buy the development rights for 18 acres of the Leuthardt family farm has been finalized,” said County Legislator Kate Browning. “This is a great deal for everyone. It insures that a great family farm will continue into the future, and it is another key piece of the puzzle as we try to preserve Suffolk County’s agricultural heritage. We will continue to work together with Brookhaven Town to preserve farmland and open space in Suffolk County.”

“I am hopeful that these critical purchases of open space and farmland will continue into the future after the passage of a Community Preservation Fund this coming November,” added Supervisor Foley. “I have formed a task force including all interested parties—environmental, civic and business leaders, and government officials—to draft that CPF proposal, and I expect to unveil within a month’s time.

“We have brought all the stakeholders to the table to design this CPF, and I am hopeful the proposal will receive wide bipartisan support.”

The Leuthardt family, long-time members of the farming community in East Moriches, will continue to farm the land.

The Leuthardt Nursery is the fifth farm the town has protected in the last year and brings the total amount of farmland and farmland buffer preserved to 94 acres. The town is in contract to purchase an additional 217 acres of farmland this year.

Left to right in front of the historic 1840 barn at the Leuthardt Nursery in East Moriches are Brookhaven Town Department of Environmental Protection head John Turner, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley, County Executive Steve Levy, Councilwoman Carol Bissonette and John Leuthardt.

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Office of the Supervisor
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