Catapano Dairy Farm acquires nearly 7 acres of farmland from Peconic Land Trust
More room for grazing!
Catapano Dairy Farm has purchased 6.88 acres of farmland from Peconic Land Trust for $245,000. Owners Erin and Connor Burke had already been leasing it as pastureland under the trust’s Farms for the Future Initiative leasing program— which is adjacent to the farm on Route 48 in Peconic — for their goats.
The Burke’s proposal to buy the land was selected by the trust’s Farmland Selection Committee. The transfer of the land to Catapano Dairy Farm was finalized July 7.
“We are grateful to the Peconic Land Trust for the opportunity to purchase this land and for its commitment to preserving farmland and open spaces,” the Burkes said in a statement. “Expanding our pastures will help us continue caring for our herd in the healthiest way possible.”
The land was donated to Peconic Land Trust in 2019 by Anne Hubbard, who had initially sold the development rights to Southold Town for $1 in 2000.
The Burkes purchased Catapano Dairy Farm from Karen and Michael Catapano in 2020. The Catapanos started the goat farm in 2003.
”The Burkes have been a welcome addition to the agricultural community on the North Fork,” said Dan Heston, senior director of agricultural programs for Peconic Land Trust. “We are thrilled to be able to work with them to expand their farm and transition this pastureland to their ownership and stewardship.”
Mr. Heston said Peconic Land Trust believes farmers should be able to own their farmland, and frequently has land available for sale. He added that the Burkes have always been “great tenants.”
Peconic Land Trust’s Farms for the Future Initiative aims to advance agricultural viability and access to healthy food. It includes farmland leases and incubator programs. It also includes sales of protected farmland, some with additional restrictions designed to ensure protected farmland remains accessible and affordable to farmers.
The Burkes moved to the North Fork in 2018 and were already familiar with Catapano Dairy Farm when they came to learn it was for sale. When first coming in, they said they hoped to expand production and grow the number of goats on the farm to about 90.
They’re now at roughly 100.
“It is land resales such as this one that make the Trust’s Farms for the Future Initiative an important part of the agricultural landscape of the East End,” said Jessica Murphy, director of conservation planning. ”We wish the Burke family all the best as they grow their farm.”
