Golden Acres Organic Farm opens its doors with a lineup of family-friendly events and programs planned for the season
New name, same bucolic farm setting with vibrant organically grown produce tucked down a tree-lined driveway on Peconic Bay Boulevard in Jamesport. Today we welcome Golden Acres Organic Farm on its opening day.
Formerly this location was home to Golden Earthworm Organic Farm for 30 years. Beyond its beautiful bounty and plentiful CSA, Golden Earthworm Organic Farm was beloved for its inviting and family-friendly setting and one of our favorite U-picks on the Fork — we’re talking best-ever strawberries. We’re happy to learn that Golden Acres Organic Farm will keep much the same with the exciting additions of farm events and programs throughout the season.
Owner and farmer Kelly Brennan shared a bit about her and her husband/co-owner Sean Brennan’s plans for the farm with Petite North Fork.
“We will continue to grow the highest quality of organic produce, berries, and flowers that Maggie [Wood] and Matt [Kurek] have done for 30 years on this soil. This land was the first on the North Fork certified organic in 1994. Now we are obtaining the certification in our name. Most employees have been with the farm for 18 years and only know organic farming,” Kelly told us.
Being a lifelong North Fork resident, Kelly is no stranger to farming.
“My grandparents were potato farmers in Southold when I was a child. My background is in finance, and I was a mortgage underwriter in Manhattan/Brooklyn doing the LIRR commute thing for over 13 years,” said Kelly. “I always wanted to be outside instead of inside an office.”
Soon after, Kelly joined the Golden Acres Organic Farm team as office manager. There, Kelly worked for six years until Maggie and Matt decided to move north to Vermont permanently at the end of last year.
“After much discussion, all staff decided to stay on, and we would do this together. As of January 2024, my husband Sean and I became the owners of Golden Acres Farm LLC,” Kelly said. “I believe you should know where your food comes from. Know your farmer. By supporting local farms in the community, you know your food source. We love having children come to the farm and will be doing events that include them all season.”
Kicking off the season’s events is Strawberries and Stories scheduled for Saturday, June 1 with sessions at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. This free program led by Waldorf early childhood educator Maria Kata, includes a seasonal strawberry story and a puppet play. While all children are welcome to join, the story is especially best for children ages 3 to 7.
With plans for monthly children’s programming, the second program is scheduled for Saturday, July 6 at 10 a.m. “Kids can Grow!” will be a hands-on session in organic gardening for children and their parents with lifelong organic grower and father of four, Renato Stafford. There, kids will get their hands dirty starting seeds, building a compost pile, setting up a garden bed, and more. The cost is $25/child, register here.
In addition to children’s programming, the farm also has plenty of events and programs scheduled for adults. Visit the farm’s website for more details.
“We encourage families to come and picnic on our beautiful property. We have playgroups that come and hang out on sunny days. It's wonderful to see. This is a special place and if you have been here then you know,” Kelly added.
And she’s not lying. From the tree-lined driveway to the picturesque farm shop bursting with produce, gifts, and more, there is something magical about this farm. Bring a picnic to enjoy at the bistro tables while you watch your children play with dump trucks and more in the pebble sandbox or take turns swinging on the farm's two tree swings. This is a family-friendly place you’ll visit again and again, we promise.
Golden Acres Organic Farm’s U-pick strawberry season will begin in early June and extend through the month, weather permitting. The cost is $12/quart. There are no entrance fees. Check the farm’s website and Instagram for field updates before visiting.