Mattituck, NY, Suffolk County
Acres Available
Open Tillable Acres
Wooded (or other) Acres
Condition & Current Use
The Farm at Deep Hole Creek has not been in recent production. The land was recently made available to a young oyster farmer, Will Peckham of West Robins Oyster Company (WROC), through an RFP process created by a local land trust organization. WROC and Dirt Capital Partners, an impact investor that facilitates land access for farmers, created a joint venture to acquire the land and begin the work of converting the land into a multi- producer site that would support WROC as well as a land-farmer partner. We are planning to build storage, production, and processing facilities on site as well as a dock attached to the land; the land farmer would have access to the remaining land for cultivation and the joint venture would be interested in supporting the land farmer by investing in additional infrastructure.
Soil Types
Farm History & Past Use
The Farm at Deep Hole Creek has most recently been out of production. The previous tenant has affirmed no production and no non-organic approved inputs have been applied on the land. The farmland is currently fallow and has been mowed annually in the fall for the past three years.
Tenure Options
Our ultimate goal is to find a long-term partner for this land but we would like to begin with an affordable short-term lease option (3 years) as part of a “mutual trial period” with a discussion at the end of year 2 to identify future options. Future options could include a long-term lease or the opportunity for the farmer to co-own the land-holding LLC alongside WROC. As part of this lease, we are willing to discuss infrastructure improvements and investments to support the viability of the farm operations.
The farmer will hold a sub-lease with WROC. As part of the RFP process, we will request farmers to propose per acre lease terms for the 10 acres in the initial “mutual trial period.”
Price for Lease Per Acre
Are you willing to mentor a new or beginning farmer?
Do you require a farmer who qualifies for agricultural assessment?
Production Preferences
Crops Permitted
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Vegetables
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Fruits
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Flowers or Ornamentals
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Grains
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Other Crops
Livestock Permitted
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Bees
Preferred Farming Method
Farm Infrastructure
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Electrical access
Additional Property Information
There are no current restrictions on agricultural activities but farmers will need to be mindful of neighbors who border the property on two sides of the land. There will be a strong preference for farmers who share an interest in ecosystem restoration; the oyster farmer is passionate about environmental remediation and is hoping the land farmer can be a partner in helping to reduce runoff into nearby Deep Hole Creek through strong ecological stewardship practices. Priority will be given to farmers with experience and desire to conduct no-till or low-till agriculture with long-term goals of increasing water absorption and building soil health.
Since the land has been fallow for a number of years and is planned as a multi-producer site, overall property design is important to maintain an attractive and ecologically productive farm for the public, neighboring community and all stakeholders. The successful farmer applicant will share a desire and willingness to participate in an evolving, flexible site-wide design exercise including field and crop planning, infrastructure siting and circulation.
Preference will be given to a farmer applicant with a willingness and desire to plan and conduct collaborative marketing with West Robins, including participation in agri-tourism, farm education and private events highlighting agricultural production and local food systems.
Is the Property Conserved
Current Land Zoning
Is the property located in a NY Agricultural District?
Can the public be on the property as a part of the farm business?
Additional Information About This Property
Interested farmers can inquire more about the property by emailing Martin Lemos via [email protected]. Interested farmers will ultimately respond to a brief RFP through this intake form and applications will be ranked based on the following considerations:
- Alignment with the Dirt Capital Partners' impact priorities;
- Commitment to environmentally responsible farming practices;
- Strength of existing farm business and capacity to grow farm operation; and
- Training and technical farming knowledge and expertise.
All applicants meeting basic criteria will be contacted for further discussion about their farm operation, land, and opportunities for partnership on this or other land parcels. The most qualified applicants will be asked to prepare a detailed business plan for the property and meet for an in-person interview with the oyster farmer, Will Peckham. We hope to have an agreement in place by early 2024; this will be a rolling application process.
