March 29, 2007

Calling All Farmers: Suozzi Announces Bid for Organic Farm at Old Bethpage Village Restoration

-- As Part of ‘Healthy Nassau,’ County Seeks Bids from Farmers to Work 6-Acre Plot; Percentage of Farm’s Profits Goes to County

Old Bethpage, N.Y. – As part of his “Healthy Nassau” campaign, Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi announced that the County will tomorrow issue a request for proposals from farmers to create an economically viable organic farm at Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

To be considered, farmers must pledge to comply with the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York’s environmentally friendly rules, including the prohibition of the use of synthetic insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers. Farmers must also sell their produce at local farmers’ markets and food stores and give a percentage of the profits to the County, in return for the use of the land. The arrangement may also include setting up a produce market at Old Bethpage.

“You are what you eat, and organic produce is the best stuff you can eat,” Suozzi said. “And because organic farming doesn’t use any toxic or synthetic chemicals, it’s also good for our environment. This gives us an opportunity to re-introduce farming at OBVR. Old Bethpage gives visitors a glimpse into our past, so it’s a perfect site for the County’s organic farm. After all, before synthetic and toxic chemicals were introduced into agriculture, all farms were organic.”

Along with working the land, public outreach is a key part of this initiative. Farmers replying to the RFP must outline how they will provide information to the public about organic farming. And the farmer who secures the so-called “use and occupancy permit” for the six-acre plot will serve on Suozzi’s Healthy Nassau Stakeholders Group, which will meet several times a year.

Healthy Nassau, Suozzi’s campaign to make Nassau the healthiest county in the nation, builds upon existing initiatives and adds new ones in order to sustain a healthy environment (focusing on air, land and water), while encouraging healthy living (tending to bodies, minds and spirits). Along with the organic farm at Old Bethpage, Healthy Nassau initiatives include: working with other large municipalities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and explore mass transit options; continuing to preserve the County’s remaining open space; banning trans fats at the County’s restaurants, and seeking a state-authorized increased cigarette tax to discourage smoking.

With 55 historic buildings dotting 200 acres of rolling hills, Old Bethpage Village Restoration recreates the atmosphere of a pre-Civil War Long Island Village, illustrating agricultural, domestic and commercial activities through the real practice of mid-19th century crafts and skills.

The use and occupancy permit for the organic farm is expected to be awarded at the end of April.