Treiber Farms

Jul 17, 2019 / Photo: Courtesy of Michael Mallette and Leah Pellegrini

When Peter Treiber Senior and his family started Treiber Farms in 2014, plenty of other farmers told them they wouldn’t be able to grow successfully without using pesticides, soil-destroying machinery and other environmentally harmful means. But they respectively disagreed and are now in their fourth season, growing fruit, vegetables, eggs, honey, herbs and flowers using sustainable methods that work with nature, not against it.  

Striving to be “stewards of the land,” they use low-till farming methods and as little machinery as possible on their 60-acre farm in North Fork. Eager to go beyond conventional organic growing standards, they refuse to use chemical fertilizers and herbicides—even the ones approved by national organic standards. They also use mesh fencing, scrap wood crates, and other resourceful tools that make as little impact as possible.

Expanding off his father’s methods, Peter Junior is continuing to experiment with new production methods, and farm sustainably against the odds. He and his sister Kelly oversee almost every aspect of the farm from harvesting to HR with Peter Junior’s black Labrador Peaches.

In addition to operating a farm stand across the road from their main fields, they supply restaurants in the area with farm-fresh food. They also show off their produce in Brooklyn several times a month.  

The farm has also started an artist residency program in collaboration with Cooler Gallery in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Cleverly named Cooler Ranch, the program allows artists to use the farm as their own organic studio and encourages them to take inspiration from and all of its sustainable impact to create their art. 

More about Treiber Farms can be found on their website.