UPDATE: 'Grossmann's Farm' Contract Approved by Full Nassau County Legislature

UPDATE: The full Nassau County Legislature voted unanimously on Dec. 20 to approve the contract between Nassau County and Nassau Land Trust, the organization selected to manage the site of the old Grossmann's Farm in Malverne. (More details available soon on Patch!)

Last week it passed through two committees in the County Legislature.

Members of the Committee on Planning, Development and the Environment voted unanimously to approve the contract on Dec. 13. The item then moved onto the Rules Committee that same day, which also showed bipartisan support for the contract, voting unanimously in favor of its approval.

The Grossmann family had owned and operated their farm in Malverne 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-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.

"Grossmann's Farm has been an important part of the Malverne community for generations and this purchase means that it will remain a working farm forever," said Mangano. "By preserving our remaining open spaces, such as Grossmann's Farm, we are investing in our quality of life here in Nassau County and ensuring that future generations can enjoy them."

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 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. A contract between the two parties was constructed but must pass through the legislature before it can be finalized.

The negotiated agreement gives Nassau Land Trust (NLT) an exclusive license to occupy and operate the farm under County ownership for the next 10 years, with the opportunity to renew the contract twice in the following decade. However, the county can terminate the relationship at any time.

The contract states that "Under the agreement, NLT must use the property to operate a farm and a farm stand and conduct a community supported agricultural share program and educational programs for all ages....Though the property will be maintained as a farm by NLT, the County reserves the right to host special events on the farm."

NLT may also allow "a bona fide sponsor the use of the premises to conduct special events," but they must be of the same nature as the public programs described in the contract, mainly educational and promoting farming.

Lloyd Zuckerberg, president of Nassau Land Trust, envisions it will be a place where residents and local schools can learn more about farming practices, while also enjoying the fresh crops harvested there.

"It's our hope that it will eventually be a CSA [community-supported agriculture system] in which local residents would pay to be subscribers to the local produce the farm provides," Zuckerberg explained.

According to the contract, "a percentage of the proceeds from sales and fees charged by NLT will be placed in a reserve account to be invested back into the farm." 

It also indicates that the Nassau Land Trust will invest approximately $500,000 over the first ten year term of the agreement on capital improvements, such as a new barn and farm strand, new fencing and temporary ADA-compliant restrooms. They also are required to maintain an advertising program and spend at least $4,000 in the first year and no less than $2,000 in each of the following years on marketing what the contract refers to as a "farming gem."

They are expected to receive some help in funding the construction of the new barn from a private contributor, who will donate $150,000, according to the contract, which adds "however, the terms of the agreement with NLT are not dependent on such monies actually being donated."

In addition to these expenses, Nassau Land Trust will also be responsible for all utilities and costs and for all structural and non-structural repairs. The contract required NLT to submit a record of its receipts and expenses in a timely manner to the County, which also has the right to conduct audits.

The contract also states that the farm must be open to the public at least six days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. between June and October and on an as-needed basis the rest of the year.

"It is our dream to honor the 150-year history of this farmland and the Grossman Family, " Nassau Land Trust stated in its written proposal to the County, "to perpetuate the farming traditions, and to make a vibrant, working, educational farm in Malverne a reality."

The full agreement and related documents is available under the documents section to the right of this article.