While updating the hike lists for the www.hike-li.org website last month, I noticed that East Hampton Trails Preservation Society (EHTPS) was sponsoring a hike to be lead by Nick Stephens to introduce its members to the Quail Hill Farm Preserve.  Nick is a staff member of Quail Hill and an active member of the EHTPS trail crew.  Quail Hill Farm in Amagansett is a stewardship project of the Peconic Land Trust, (http://www.peconiclandtrust.org) a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the protection and management of farmland and open space on Long Island.  Farm members purchase a share at the beginning of each year, which enables them to harvest fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers throughout the growing season.  Members are not required to work, however all farm members harvest their own vegetables.

Quail Hill is an organic farm and offers its volunteers an intimacy with the land.  There are 225 varieties of vegetables, herbs, flowers, fruit trees, raspberries, beehives, and a flock of hens.  If you want to find out how to share in the harvest or get involved in the care of the farm, contact Quail Hill Preserve Manager, Scott Chaskey (631-267-8492).

The tour of the farm was a unique experience for the trails group.  Parking for the farm hike was on Deep Hill Lane north of Montauk Highway.