Eli Zabar of the Zabar markets in New York City reopened the Amagansett Farmers Market in 2008 with the help of the Peconic Land Trust, a nonprofit conservation organization that allows Amber Waves Farm to farm the seven acres behind the market. A retail farm stand, the market sells produce, fish, bread, and other products from the North and South Forks. A butcher and catering service also works out of the market, and the market sells coffee, breakfast pastries, sandwiches, drinks, other prepared foods, flowers, and plants. There is a terrace for picnicking.
Cherry Lawn Farm Nursery features a wide array of floral and luscious plant and tree varieties. Its garden center also carries a selection of gardening supplies and statuettes. Customers can also find a variety of herb and vegetable seedlings ready for transplanting. A knowledgeable staff is available to address customers' gardening and landcaping questions.
This historic farm was owned and operated by the Grossmann Family from 1895 to 2007. In recent years, uncertainty over what would become of the village landmark troubled many of Malverne's residents, but in late 2009, Thomas Suozzi, then current Nassau County Executive, announced that the County intended to purchase the property and preserve its farming roots. Soon after taking office, Suozzi's replacement, Ed Mangano finalized the deal on Feb. 8. 2010.
Nassau County purchased the five-acre farmland for $6,538,233. The Grossmann family retained 0.2 acres of the property, which includes the original homestead, the white house that faces the intersection at Hempstead Avenue and Ocean Avenue. The village of Malverne secured slightly less than a half acre.
The County acquisition was made possible through the 2006 Environmental Bond Act, a $150 million dollar environmental program that has enabled Nassau County to purchase and protect open spaces and renovate parks. After putting out a call for proposals in the summer of 2009, the County selected Nassau Land Trust to operate the farm and a contract between the two parties was finalized in late 2010.
The Nassau Land Trust hired a farmer, Bill Walsh, established committees and recruited local volunteers and opened the farm again on April 30, 2011.
On July 1, 2011 the trust announced that in cooperation with the Grossmann family, they changed the name of the farm to Crossroads Farm at Grossmann's to reflect both its roots and new beginning.
Located in Amagansett, Amber Waves Farm is a non-profit organic farm which provides its community with educational information about food, farming issues and organic growing techniques. Programs and projects include the Amagansett Wheat Project, educational programs, tasting tours, community supported agriculture and more. For additional information, be sure to call the listed number or visit the Web site provided.
