Isabella Rossellini turned a 27-acre New York farmstead into a protected community farm after conserving 20.8 acres (Image Credit: Mama Farm)
The project is Mama Farm, founded by actress Isabella Rossellini in Brookhaven, New York, in 2013. Rossellini donated a conservation easement in 2012 that protects 20.8 acres of the property, according to the Peconic Land Trust.
The animals are not slaughtered, although eggs and honey are among the products offered through its community-supported agriculture programme, according to Mama Farm. A wooded property on Long Island has become a place where farming, animal care and community activities share the same space. The farm combines food production with biodiversity initiatives and educational activities for families and children. Its community-supported agriculture programme also connects members with the food grown on the land, making the property a working example of how conservation and community life can go hand in hand. Animals are another part of the property. Its sanctuary includes heritage-breed chickens and turkeys, sheep, goats, quail, ducks and other animals. The use of heirloom seeds and heritage breeds also highlights the importance of agricultural diversity. By keeping traditional varieties and breeds part of a working farm, Mama Farm connects food production with the preservation of older agricultural practices. Mama Farm runs a community-supported agriculture (CSA) programme through which members receive shares of the farm’s produce (Image Credit: Mama Farm) Mama Farm runs a community-supported agriculture (CSA) programme through which members receive shares of the farm’s produce. The model creates a direct connection between the people growing food and those who consume it. Mama Farm offers eggs and honey through its CSA programme, while vegetable shares are arranged with farmer Patty Gentry. The programme connects members with local food production and gives them a closer understanding of where their food comes from. Mama Farm’s work extends beyond food production. Its activities include workshops, children’s programmes, theatre and avant-garde films, offering visitors different ways to explore environmental themes and community life. The farm’s website describes its atmosphere as inspired by the Italian piazza, a traditional public square where people gather and exchange ideas. This concept reflects the intention to create a shared space where visitors can spend time together, learn and engage with their surroundings. Children can encounter farm animals and explore the outdoors, while workshops provide opportunities to learn about nature and agriculture. These activities bring environmental themes into the farm’s community programmes. The conservation easement provides a foundation for these initiatives by helping protect the land on which they take place.
