Nearly two years ago, a significant farmland preservation effort in Wading River ensured that nearly 24 acres of agricultural land along Route 25A would remain protected from development. The conservation project, coordinated by the Peconic Land Trust, was made possible through a combination of state funding, community support and the participation of local farming families committed to preserving the region’s agricultural heritage.
The preservation effort focused on farmland owned by the Zoumas family and land farmed by the Condzella family. Through the acquisition of conservation easements, the development rights to the land were purchased, permanently restricting the property to agricultural use and preventing residential or commercial development. This approach allows farmers to continue working the land while ensuring that its future remains tied to farming.
Funding for the project came through a mix of public and private sources. Nearly $3.95 million was provided through New York State’s Farmland Protection Implementation Grants, part of the Environmental Protection Fund administered by the Department of Agriculture and Markets. Community donations and a bargain sale agreement from the landowners also played an important role in making the preservation possible.
The effort was part of the broader Wading River Initiative, a campaign led by the Peconic Land Trust to protect farmland in the area. When completed, the initiative will preserve approximately 38 acres of farmland, including previously protected parcels and additional acreage planned for conservation.
By securing these easements, the project helps protect some of Long Island’s most valuable agricultural soils while supporting the continuation of local farming traditions. The preserved land will allow farms such as Condzella Farm, known for its produce and strawberry fields, to continue operating while maintaining the rural character that has long defined the Wading River community.
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