In celebration of Earth Day, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi joined volunteers at Restoration Farm at Old Bethpage Village Restoration to begin planting next season's crop - potatoes. The 7-acre farm at Nassau County's Old Bethpage Village Restoration produces vegetables, flowers, and herbs using sustainable practices without the use of pesticides or chemicals. Creation of the farm was initiated in 2007 by County Executive Suozzi as part of "Healthy Nassau," Nassau County's campaign to sustain a healthy environment and encourage healthy living.

County Executive Tom Suozzi joins Caroline Fanning, left; Daniel Holmes, right; and the children of some of the 100 CSA members at Restoration Farm who will receive vegetables on-site from June to November.

Restoration Farm is run under permit from the County by farmers Caroline Fanning, Daniel Holmes and a team of hard-working volunteers. "The enthusiasm we've witnessed is amazing; it really shows how much Nassau County has been wanting a farm of its own. And it'll be great to show people what's actually involved in small-scale farming," stated Fanning.

Restoration farm is partially supported by members who pay in advance for weekly shares of fresh produce. This type of arrangement is called "community supported agriculture," or CSA. Members share in the farm's inherent risks that some crops may do poorly or fail. This risk sharing allows small farms to thrive in otherwise unfavorable conditions, and it connects consumers more intimately with the source of their food. Given the alarming disappearance of farmland on Long Island and across the nation, more and more people are abandoning the supermarket and joining CSAs.

As of early April, Restoration Farm has sold out all CSA shares for the 2008 growing season. About 100 CSA members at Restoration Farm will receive vegetables on-site from June to November. Full shares ($700) are picked up every week and are recommended for families of 4-6. Half shares ($350) are picked up every other week and are recommended for families of 2-3. Members are welcome and encouraged to volunteer at the farm, especially during the Tuesday and Friday morning harvests. Seasonal contributions of 12 hours or more are greatly appreciated. Anyone who missed out on this year's CSA can email info@restorationfarm.com to be placed on the waiting list.

Operations at the farm adhere to the Farmer's Pledge of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York. Vegetables being grown this year include arugula, asian greens, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, edamame, eggplant, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, onions, peas, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, spinach, string beans, sweet potatoes, swiss chard, tomatoes, turnips, winter squash, yellow squash, and zucchini. To learn more, visit www.restorationfarm.com. Fresh produce can be purchased at a farm stand starting in June, which will run Saturdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Old Bethpage Village Restoration parking lot.