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On Hegeman's Lane in Old Brookville stands Youngs Farm, founded in 1893
by John H. Youngs, the great-grandson of Thomas Youngs who ran an apple
orchard in nearby Oyster Bay. The 1893 Youngs Farm, which has been cited
as a "Century Farm" grew bibb lettuce, potatoes and sweet corn and raised
cows, chickens and pigs. These crops were the main staples of the operation
until the 1950s. However, Arthur Youngs, says his son John "was very
conscious of new ideas. And I must credit without reservation Cornell
Cooperative Extension Service because they have helped us immeasurably."
After World War II supermarkets began to open on Long Island and many
residents started shopping in them. "Fortunately there is a segment
of the population that has tasted freshness and knows what it is. All
of our product is picked fresh the same morning."
In order to retain their customers the Youngs and other farmers opened
farm stands so that residents could buy fresh produce including sweet
corn, strawberries, tomatoes and various kinds of lettuce. As John Youngs
recalled "around 1960 my two young daughters [Jo-Hanna and Paula] got
the idea of selling sweet corn along the highway and it did very well.
It finally got through to me 'why am I hauling all this stuff to the New
York market when they come right to my door and buy it?'" A few years
later the Youngs farmstand encompassed a large shed that was enlarged
and increased. Today the Youngs grow tomatoes, peaches and berries, bake
pies and muffins and sell items such as pasta, cheese and other foods.
The farm is run by Jo-Hanna Youngs and her sister Paula Youngs Weir.
The Youngs farmlands once included sections of Planting
Fields State Park and additional acres in Old Brookville. The family had
to sell a portion of their 100-acre farm in 1980, in order to settle an
estate. Unlike other farmers from the once thriving agricultural community,
they sold their land to Banfi vineyards so that the land would remain
in agricultural use. Paula and Jo-Hanna Youngs Gooth are also strong preservationists,
as is their father John. "I am very fortunate in having two such brilliant
daughters who have the heritage in their hearts."
Their commitment to heritage and preservation includes and extends beyond
the farm. Jo-Hanna Youngs restored the family homestead, an expensive
effort that has made her father proud. "You could have built a new
house cheaper but it wouldn't be good for the heritage here." In 1995
they restored their barn for both practical needs and to satisfy their
late grandfather's wishes. John Youngs died in 2000. He served as President
of the Agricultural Society of Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, as
a member of the community's Zoning Commission and as President of Nassau
County's Cornell Cooperative Extension Service. Jo-Hanna Youngs is currently
secretary of the Agricultural Society of Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties
and Paula Youngs Weir is active in local historical groups, serving on
the boards of Raynham Hall, the Society for Preservation of Long Island
Antiquities.
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