About

Out on the south fork of the East End of Long Island in New York state, there’s a small town called Hampton Bays. I have lived in this town, and on this “farm” for about twenty-five years. And for every year that I have lived here, I have played around with naming it, so that it would be a legitimate farm. My husband, John, and children, Emily and Joe (now both adults), have always assisted with the naming process. At different times we called it Sunnyside Egg Farm, because we have chickens and they have always been the center of activity, Barking Dog Farm (you can use your imagination here), Less Than 3 Acre Farm, and most recently, Turtle Refuge Farm. Except we wanted Turtle Refuge translated into German for the sign we would eventually create to mark the entrance to our property. There’s a story behind that and maybe I’ll write about it in a separate post.

Turtle Refuge Farm turned out to be the most favored by me, and it elicited the most laughter. Apparently there is no word “turtle” in German; rather they use the phrase “shielded toad.” I cannot remember how it actually translates, but we laughed heartily every time we said Turtle Refuge Farm in German, which became a problem. I did not want to laugh every time I told the name of our farm to an interested listener, nor did I want any of them to laugh in response!

The other problem is the turtles themselves. Despite the fact that Eastern Box turtles are in serious danger around these parts due to an absurd amount of development, we did not want every one of them, rescued by concerned drivers (whom I applaud for their efforts!) dropped off at our gate. I have been told by more than one naturalist that they do not transplant well. They are very territorial, and will risk death in their efforts to return to the place from which they were plucked.

For a long while, the “farm” had lots of names, but none was very successful at sticking. Until last summer. The honeybees that we keep (about 5-6 colonies at any given time) had been incredibly productive, and like any farmer with a surplus, I wanted to share it. If you know anything about beekeeping, you know that it is extravagantly expensive.  While I wanted to share, I really could not afford to give it away. I was familiar with a local green market, and solicited John’s help with securing a spot there for the last few weeks of its season – early November 2007.

We bottled the honey, and after carefully searching the shelves of places like Wholefoods and Wild By Nature, and checking the going rate for pounds of honey, practically gave it away at $5.00 a pound. Of course, we sold a very large number of bottles, and decided to return in 2008 with the next year’s crop. Throughout the winter of 2007, and into the early spring of 2008, we returned again and again to naming the farm. While Firefly Farm (something new) was indeed a favorite, we all agreed that the melody of Oystercatcher Farm, and the very cool shorebird after which the farm is named (see picture above) was best. Besides, the growing season synchronizes pretty well with the arrival and departure of oystercatchers.

Some day, when you have the chance, drive along Dune Road in Hampton Bays and look north toward Shinnecock Bay. From April through October you will see and hear oystercatchers as they play around in the tidal pools seeking, but not always finding, their favorite food. Oysters.

And if you are a person who enjoys greenmarkets/farmer’s markets, stop in to see us at the Westhampton Beach Farmer’s Market which runs from June 13 through November 22, 2009.  I am always happy to meet new people and talk about whatever comes up: food, honeybees, sustainable living practices, and often politics.