After loss of grandparents, fourth generation keeps Schmitt’s Farm growing
Philip and Anne Schmitt spent decades turning a family vegetable farm — Schmitt’s Farm — into an East End institution.
Their deaths, two months apart, have not altered the plan. Their grandson Matt intends to keep the farm in the family.
“They built this and put their entire lives into it,” Matt Schmitt told the Riverhead News-Review as he watched shoppers stop at the farmstand on Sound Avenue. “We want to keep it going for the future. The plan is to keep farming.”
Philip, whose father founded Philip A. Schmitt and Son Inc. in Queens in the 1920s, died July 2 at age 93. Anne, his wife of more than 70 years, died Sept. 17 at age 94. The business moved from Queens to Farmingdale and eventually Riverhead in 1979.
“Together, they set an incredible example throughout their lives of all the things that matter most: family, faith and the farm,” the farm’s Facebook page posted. “We hope to honor their legacy by carrying forward the values they lived by and aspiring to lead the same kind of meaningful, generous lives they did. We are honored to continue the farm and business they built together, and to carry on the work they cared so deeply about and the lasting contributions they made to Long Island agriculture.”
The Sept. 17 post received more than 500 comments filled with memories, condolences and warm wishes from community members.
“It makes you feel proud,” Matt Schmitt said. “It’s great that people really cared so much that they did so much.”
Matt Schmitt, a fourth-generation farmer, and his wife, Ashley, have handled the day-to-day operations for years. The family’s current retail farm stand at 3355 Sound Ave. opened in 2003. It also has stands on Main Road in Laurel and in Westhampton.
Matt grew up on the farm and, in 2010, revived his grandfather’s horseradish recipe as a retail product after it had long been shared with family and friends. Holy Schmitt’s Horseradish helped expand the longtime wholesale business into a more direct connection with customers.
Even after Anne began easing back from the farm, she could not completely step away. Right up until she was admitted to the hospital before her death, Matt said, she was still taking orders and helping with payments.
“She was down here once in a while, but she did a lot,” he said with a smile. “She was answering the phone at night, taking orders, helping me with the payments, doing all types of stuff with the farm.”
Matt’s father, Philip Schmitt Jr., is much the same way. He turns 70 in a few months and said he is trying to ease back a little, but still shows up seven days a week.
“Instead of 80 hours, I’m only here 65,” he joked.
Matt’s brother, Philip Schmitt III, also helps out.
Philip Jr. said his parents were the same way, trying to slow down but continuing to show up. Not because they had to, but because they wanted to stay together as a family.
“One part that was a little different in our relationship is I didn’t see them once a week. We were working together every day,” he said. “My mom was doing the bookkeeping at 93 years old, and she was still sharp as a tack. Dad didn’t really come down to the farm anymore, but I still would ask his opinion on certain things right up until he died.”
The Schmitts said carrying the farm forward will be somewhat of a challenge due to rising costs across the board, but family will keep them going as it always has.
Matt hopes to eventually hand the farm to a fifth generation: his sons, Matt Jr., 12, and Thomas, 8. Both already help with customers, stocking the stands, roasting corn and loading trucks, while Matt Jr. also helps with tractor work.
“I don’t want it dying on my shoulders; we want to keep it going for the future,” he said. “Maybe one day I’ll have the opportunity to pass it on, which is my goal.”
