Sylvester Manor’s new farm director Cristina Cosentino isn’t entirely new to Shelter Island. She spent 2015 working as a Manor apprentice, farming and learning tractor and machinery maintenance.
“My apprenticeship at Sylvester Manor changed my life,” she said, in a Manor news release announcing her hire Tuesday.
“I think farming is a field of mentorship and find it to be the most rewarding part of the job,” she said. “At this point I’m not only interested in cultivating the land, but also the next generation of farmers.”
A new role at the Manor
Cosentino was hired as Director of Farm Operations. That’s a new position at Sylvester Manor, which anticipates significant expansion of the community farming program begun 10 years ago.
Sylvester Manor Executive Director Stephen Searl says Cosentino will be responsible for all aspects of farming at the 240-acre site. That includes produce, small fruit, livestock, a 125-member CSA program, and education of seasonal farm apprentices and volunteers.
“Today, we’re looking to rapidly grow this part of our mission,” Searl said, noting “it’s our team that will ultimately determine the success of that growth.
“We’re so excited to have Tino rejoin the Manor as Farm Director. With her help we will increase production across the board,” Searl said. “And continue to provide the community with fresh, Island-grown food.”
About the new farm director
Also known as “Tino”, Cosentino has worked on various vegetable and livestock farms in the Northeast including The H.O.G. Farm, an 18-acre CSA and vegetable farm in Brookhaven.
In 2018, she managed production, operations, and sales for Acabonac Farms. The pasture-finishing beef producer leased 60 acres of Sylvester Manor land for the past couple of years. Most recently, Cosentino managed a vegetable market garden in Smithfield, Rhode Island providing fresh produce for Fidelity Investments’ cafeteria.
An accomplished musician, Cosentino said she hopes to employ her talent to further Sylvester Manor’s cultural mission to “ensure that food and art remain connected to community and the land.”
Sign up for the Manor’s CSA
Sylvester Manor has opened its CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program to existing members who want to renew for 2020. On February 1, registration will open to new members. Find details about CSA registration in this Gazette post.
Questions? Contact info@sylvestermanor.org.
