CCE Hosts First Annual Farm Festival

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County (CCE) held its first annual Fall Farm Festival on the East Meadow Farms property on Friday and Saturday.

About 500 residents were treated to two days of organic vegetables and fruits, butterfly, herb and rose gardens and horticultural, nutritional and autumn craft presentations.

"The festival was great and it was definitely a learning experience," Laura Hunsberger, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County said. "It was a fantastic two days."

The free event will took place at the new East Meadow Farm and Horticulture Center, which was occupied by the former Friendly Farms at 832 Merrick Ave.

The property was preserved under the Nassau County Environmental Bond Act in 2008 when the county took ownership from the Marks family. Bernadette and Danielle Brennan ran Friendly Farms on the land for several years until the CCE won a request for proposal in October of 2010 to operate on the property.

"We were granted the land for the next ten years," Hunsberger said.

The property also has six garden beds for students of the East Meadow School District.

"We want students to come and plant and learn where their food comes from,"  Hunsberger said. "Next year we hope to bring in school groups for the farm festival," Hunsberger said.

The event also included the sale of fall treats such as apple cider, doughnuts, pumpkins and hay stacks.

Julie Nappy of Garden City enjoyed the festival with her daughter, Anna.

"She loved the butterly garden," she said. "This is just fantastic"

Hunsberger said that the community appreciated the event.

"We have been getting a great response from the neighborhood," she said. "They are happy that we are here and they are happy with the educational programs that we offer."