Suffolk County acquires two farms in Brookhaven Town

Suffolk County lawmakers have approved a bill authorizing the acquisition of two farms in Brookhaven Town under the county’s farmland protection program.

The legislature last Thursday approved the purchase of 21-acre Hamlet Organic Garden in Brookhaven hamlet for $947,600 from the Post Morrow Foundation, an environmental group. Known as the HOG farm, the parcel is within the fragile Carmans River watershed.

Lawmakers also approved buying a .09-acre farm in Mastic Beach from its owners, Vito and Anna Maria Rizzi, for $6,000. A spokeswoman said County Executive Steve Bellone plans to sign the bills.

The acquisitions would bar development of the properties and require that they continue to be used as farms.

Legis. Kate Browning (WF-Shirley), who announced the purchases, said in a news release that buying would be “a major milestone in the protection of the Carmans River, and also helps maintain the rural character of Brookhaven hamlet for years to come.”

She said preservation of the Rizzi farm, which is vacant, would help reduce the impact of flooding on nearby homes.

The HOG farm grows organic vegetables for more than 200 customers. The Post Morrow Foundation is expected to use proceeds from the sale to “further its goals of environmental protection in the greater Brookhaven area,” Browning’s news release said.