Shelter Island - Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy will be joined by Town of Shelter Island officials and the Peconic Land Trust in announcing the purchase of development rights to a 26.4-acre farm field at Sylvester Manor that is part of a family-owned, 243-acre educational farm on Shelter Island.

The Historic Sylvester Manor was established in 1652 on fertile land at the head of a protected harbor on Shelter Island, and it is one of the few places in America to have been in the hands of the same family since it was first set up. The site has served as a residence for one of America's first food industrialists (and the inventor of baking powder), Eben Norton Horsford, as well as functioning as a farm for the past two centuries, serving regional markets. The manor also sponsors educational programs that explore the history and culture of food, both on Shelter Island and across the region.

"The purchase of development rights at Sylvester Manor for $2.4 million is, in effect, the preservation of 358 years of Long Island's history," said Levy, noting that this is the 76th farm preserved during his administration. "The agriculture and the educational program at the farm are an agro-cultural blessing to Suffolk and to Shelter Island residents and visitors who regularly support the facility, and we are proud to preserve all of this for future generations."

According to Congressman Tim Bishop's office, there was an infusion of a $1.09-million federal grant from the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program. Suffolk County and Shelter Island Town are providing the additional funding to preserve this unique, 26.4-acre tract.

Manor operations currently include the management of a flock of 65 fertile hens and a flock of guinea fowl, and 60 acres of old field are being cleared. Future plans include widespread livestock management on the property and the production of wheat via wind-powered gristmill from the year 1810, plus the growth of the facility into a fully diversified small farm selling direct-to-market vegetables and meats.