Last Updated: January 20, 2010

Groundswell of Local Support Saves Banfi

On New Year's Eve 2009, Nassau County, together with the North Shore Land Alliance and a private investor, acquired one of Nassau County's most emblematic properties. The 60-acre Banfi Fields, located at the corner of Chicken Valley Road and Hegeman’s Lane in Old Brookville, is Nassau County's largest remaining farm as well as one of its most treasured scenic vistas.
This property was purchased from the M & M Company owned by the Mariani family, proprietors of U.S. wine importer Banfi Vintners. Cristina Mariani May, co-CEO of Banfi Vintners said “My family and Banfi are proud to be part of this community and to have farmed this land for almost thirty years. Today, we are pleased to do our share to help preserve the bucolic surroundings of where we all live. We wish to thank the North Shore Land Alliance and Nassau County for working with us to forever protect this beautiful piece of land.”
This acquisition should nearly double the amount of locally grown food produced in Nassau County and, potentially, feed scores of needy people annually. Though many details remain to be determined, the intention is to continue the current farming operation. “Eating locally grown food is healthier all around and reducing the distance food has to travel keeps our air cleaner and lessens our dependence on foreign oil,” said Sarah Lansdale of Sustainable Long Island.
The Nassau County Legislature approved the county's participation in the acquisition in a unanimous vote on Monday, December 21, 2009. Funding for the transaction was provided through a portion of the 2006 Nassau County Environmental Bond Program, the North Shore Land Alliance Conservation Action Fund, and a private investor. Richard Amper, Long Island Environmental Voters Forum, who addressed the legislature that day, called the acquisition “one of the best Christmas presents ever."
The Village of Old Brookville held special meetings to assist in the acquisition process and Mayor Bernard Ryba asked to express his appreciation on behalf of the Village of Old Brookville by "thanking the Mariani family, their representatives, Nassau County, and the North Shore Land Alliance for their efforts in preserving these agricultural fields. “These beautiful views and the agricultural heritage of our village and Nassau County will be protected by the county's purchase of this property," said Mayor Ryba.
The Marianis planted a vineyard on the property after purchasing it in 1983 from the Youngs Family. The Youngs had farmed it since 1893 and continue to grow produce on an adjacent parcel. For several years, Banfi marketed Old Brookville Chardonnay from Nassau County’s only vineyard until irregular weather patterns and limited demand led them to uproot most of the vines and convert a small section to tree farming. Grapes from the remaining 20 acres of vineyards were sold to wineries on the east end of Long Island.
In March 2009, representatives for M & M Company appeared in front of the Old Brookville Planning Board to propose an 18-lot residential subdivision on this same parcel of land. In response to community concerns for this beloved parcel, the Marianis agreed to an adjournment of that application in order to share further information about the proposal with their neighbors and discuss alternate ideas.
In the subsequent months, North Shore Land Alliance worked with the Mariani Family, their legal counsel and Nassau County to put together a conservation plan that will protect the majority of the property.
Lisa Ott, president of the North Shore Land Alliance, said “We are very grateful to the Mariani Family who have been such great stewards of the land and to the individuals and groups that have worked to expedite this transaction which had to close by December 31st. We are also very grateful to the community that attended meetings, signed petitions and contributed funds to make this acquisition possible. It really does take a village to do something this great!”
Pat Aiken, Friends of the Bay, said "The preservation of the Banfi Fields as open space is a major contribution to the protection of the water quality in the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor watershed. That these fields will continue to be used as farmland and preserve our agricultural heritage is a remarkable achievement. Congratulations to all involved."
"The Nature Conservancy applauds the North Shore Land Alliance and the community in their efforts to preserve Nassau County's last remaining open spaces," said Kevin McDonald, for the Nature Conservancy on Long Island. "The legislature and County Executive are to be commended for making this deal happen as it needed to before the end of the year." he said.
"As we rung in the New Year, the Nassau Legislature gave us one final gift in 2009—the preservation of a large part of the Banfi Fields. Located in a Special Groundwater Protection Area, the Banfi Fields are a key acquisition and exactly what the public wanted when 77% voted yes for the Environmental Bond Act. Protection of open space, farmland, and our drinking water should continue to remain top priorities in the new decade,” stated Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

 

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