Suffolk County Farm and Education Center Celebrates New Interactive Walkway

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk (CCE Suffolk) held the unveiling of a new, interactive walkway at its 272-acre Suffolk County Farm and Educational Center in Yaphank as well as the announcement of a new visitor center. The walkway and the painting of the visitor center was funded by National Grid Project C. National Grid has been a long time supporter of the Suffolk County Farm, and this is one of many projects that have been supported.

Designed with multiple, life-size elements designed for children’s engagement, the walkway features a series of stations that highlight a wide range of programs offered at CCE. Among them a wooden ship with children’s slide showcasing marine science, sensory walkway that includes gardening, agriculture and horticulture. The walkway will provide family learning and fun for children of all ages.

The farm has several educational programs for children ranging from pre-K to 12th grade, summer day camps, a nature-based preschool, and special events, among many other offerings.

State Senator Dean Murray, State Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, and County Legislators James Mazzarella, Sarah Anker, Nick Caracappa, Sam Gonzalez, and Jason Richberg were among the elected officials who participated.

“Thanks to National Grid, the Suffolk County Farm now features a dynamic, new walkway providing an immersive experience that captures the essence of CCE’s multifaceted programs,” said Vanessa Lockel, Executive Director of CCE Suffolk. “The visitor center and walkway will together help the farm carry on its tradition of community learning that dates back more than a century.”

“We're proud to partner with CCE Suffolk to create an interactive walkway that’s designed to educate and inspire visitors to the Suffolk County Farm,” said Kathy Wisnewski, Director of Customer and Community Engagement at National Grid. “Community learning is deeply aligned with National Grid's values, and we're delighted to contribute to an initiative that broadens public understanding of such critical subjects as sustainability, history, and science.”

“Visited by tens of thousands of people each year, the Suffolk County Farm is one of Suffolk’s true gems,” said County Legislator James Mazzarella. “National Grid deserves praise for underwriting a beautiful new walkway that stands as a testament to CCE Suffolk's ambitious program of community outreach and education.”

“The Suffolk County Farm is emblematic of the leadership role that this county plays in New York State’s agricultural sector,” said Rob Carpenter, Director of the Long Island Farm Bureau. “Its far-reaching educational agenda deepens Long Islanders’ understanding of the world of agriculture. We applaud CCE Suffolk and National Grid for the tremendous work they’ve done here.”

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