Young farmer honored by LI Farm Bureau

Center Moriches resident and local farmer Matt Gartelman, 12, recently received the first-of-its-kind Young Entrepreneurial Farmer award from the Long Island Farm Bureau.

Gartelman is a first-generation farm manager and co-owner of Barn Again Farm. He lives on the just under 2-acre farm, located at 87 Bernstein Boulevard, with his parents and older brother and sister. He raises pigs, goats, horses, rabbits, turkeys, chickens and ducks, among other animals.

In the spring, he has a small farmstand where he sells home-grown vegetables as well as flowers and plants. He also sells fresh herb and vegetable kits for customers to grow their own.

The farm is committed to sustainable and responsible farming practices. They use natural fertilizers and pest control methods to ensure the crops are healthy and free from harmful chemicals. Also, the animals are raised in spacious and clean environments, with plenty of access to fresh air and sunshine.

Upon accepting his award, he recited a quote from Thomas Jefferson: “Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness.”

According to the president of the Long Island Farm Bureau Juan Micieli-Martinez, who presented the award, the reasoning behind the award is to encourage the local young farmers.

“We need the trend to go from less farmers to more farmers,” he said.

The bureau is a grassroots, member-driven, private, nonpartisan, and not-for-profit organization.  Their goal is to protect and strengthen the nation’s agricultural industry.

Past president of the LIFB, Bill Zalakar, said Gartelman reminds him of himself when he was young. 

“Matt calls me regularly with questions about running his family farm, Barn Again Farm in Manorville,” Zalakar said, proud of the award.

Additionally, Waterdrinker owner Marc Weiss often works with Gartelman.

“He is not afraid to just pick up the phone,” said Weiss, stating that this is a big deal for a young person, also noting that when he was Gartelman’s age, he watched TV and played video games.