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Farmland home of Pike’s Farmstand in Sagaponack preserved

SAGAPONACK – Just in time for the fall harvest, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, in conjunction with the town of Southampton and the Peconic Land Trust, this week signed legislation forever preserving an iconic farmstand in Sagaponack and the agricultural land it sits on.

The 7.6-acre Hopping Farm – home to Pike’s Farmstand – had its development rights purchased, with the town contributing $1,322,400, the county paying $3,085,600 and the Peconic Land Trust purchasing the underlying fee (agricultural rights) for $1,592,000. By purchasing the development rights, the county and town are effectively preventing it from ever being used for anything other than agriculture, while the current owners of the property will still own the land and turn a profit from the crops they produce.“Suffolk County has the distinction of being the number one agricultural county in New York State in terms of the dollar value of goods sold,” Levy said. “With every farm we preserve, we are ensuring our continued dominance of the agricultural industry. Pike’s Farmstand has been a staple of the community for years, and I’m pleased to say that through this preservation, it will remain that way for years to come.”

“This farm and farm stand have come to symbolize the past, present and future of agriculture here on the East End,” said Legislator Jay Schneiderman, whose district includes Pike’s Farmstand. “It reminds us of our farming heritage, it provides a place to purchase fresh produce, and employs a young farm family representing the future of local farming.” 

The Peconic Land Trust is currently in contract with the owners to first purchase the entire property and in turn, as contract vendee, sell off the development rights to the town and county.