Friendly Farms Still in Conflict with Nassau County

A drew approximately 130 people to show their support for Friendly Farms on Merrick Avenue. After purchasing the land in late 2008 and going through a request for proposal solicitation process, the county farm to non-profit Cornell Cooperative Extension in October. The rally was a peak in support for the mother-daughter duo, Bernadette and Danielle Brennan, who have operated the business for several years.

"After the rally there hasn't really been anything," Danielle Brennan said. "No one has contacted us. We are still in the same position we were in before. Now they aren't even responding to our customers calling them."

According to Carl Schroeter, the Director of Nassau County's Real Estate Planning and Development Division, the Brennans are slated to be off of the property by Dec. 31 and the eviction process has already begun.

"They want us out by the end of the year," Brennan said. "Our lawyers are appealing that now. We were told at the end of October. How are we supposed to move all of this stuff at the end of October while still operating a business?"

Since taking over operations of the land, the Brennans' have built several freestanding structures, including an Italian ice stand and a greenhouse that would have to be moved by the eviction date.

The appeals process Brennan referred to is an Article 78, part of New York Civil Practice Laws and Rules, which enables petitioners to file an objection to a decision on a "fair hearing." In the case of Friendly Farms, this would be the request for proposal and bid decision process.

Friendly Farms had also organized a petition that had not been sent to any particular person, but rather showed a cross community solidarity from local East Meadow residents.

"People are really upset about this. They keep sending us letters and seeing if there is anything that they can do," Brennan said.

Another source of confusion since the bid was awarded to Cornell Cooperative Extension pertains to what the exact future of the land will be. Schroeter explained that the land will continue to be used for farming purposes and that an educational resource center will allow residents to work in a "community garden, see best growing practices and buy organic and locally grown vegetables in season."

"The County plans to construct a new farm stand and agriculture education barn to replace current facilities located on the farm," Schroeter continued. "This barn will contain kitchen space for nutrition education demonstrations for elementary school groups and community classes, space for Cornell Cooperative Extension staff to answer agricultural and horticultural questions posed by residents and storage for farm equipment and supplies."

Calls to Cornell Cooperative Extension did not yield an immediate response about their future plans for the East Meadow Farm property.

Concerns that are still apparent include the details about the exact amount of land that will be used for new construction, accessibility to the public and how much of the land will be used for organic farming.

"They say it is still going to be a farm but they are not saying how much will be. For all we know it will be half of the farm and half a building," Brennan said. "They are using tax dollars to buy the place and telling the taxpayers that they have no say in what becomes of it. You're going to tell us what is best for the community and then close it to the public?"

East Meadow residents will have to wait and see what happens with Friendly Farms in the ensuing weeks, pending eviction and possible litigation in court.

"The County is confident that management of the East Meadow Farm by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County will not only honor the County's historic farming traditions, but will provide generations of County residents the opportunity to learn about those traditions hands-on," Schroeter said.

The Brennans, uncertain due to what they call "a lack of communication", continue to operate the farm stand that sits on one of the area's only remaining pieces of farm land, preserved permanently by the Environmental Bond Act.

"Growing up in East Meadow, I always came here, my mom always came here," Brennan said. "I cannot imagine this not being here and it just being an educational center."