1 Farm. 4 People. 8 Hands.

Photos by David KorchinWhen we first stumbled upon 8 Hands Farm, our thought was, a little bit of Scotland has landed on the North Fork. Small rolling hills of green, dotted with full coated sheep in white, grey and black bucolic beauty. But after meeting Tom Geppel and his wife, Carol Festa, owners of the farm, it turns out actually to be a bit of Iceland, with their ever-growing herd of Icelandic sheep. 28 sheep and counting - this spring they’ll be adding to the flock with the birth of an expected 50+ lambs.

For Tom and Carol and their two children, education and sustainability are the two working mantras at 8 Hands. Their 50 acres, used for both grazing and cultivating, already supply local restaurants and green markets with fine cuts of meats and home grown vegetables.

Stop by their barn in Cutchogue, where you’ll find skeins of wool residing next to crates of farm fresh eggs. Jars of pickles alongside beautifully crafted sheep horn jewelry. And a clapboard, placed roadside, that tells passers-by of their daily selections. On most Sunday mornings you’ll find the North Fork Food Truck serving up breakfast sandwiches made with the farms morning supply of eggs.

We explore more on what’s happening at 8 Hands Farm in our upcoming Summer Issue due out June 23.

The North Fork Food Truck. On the move.

Photos by David KorchinFirst came The Lunch Truck, a food truck of sorts, parked in the parking lot of the North Fork Table and Inn serving up the best local fare to go. But Claudia Fleming, founder and owner of the NFT&I along with Chef Cindy Halloran put the pedal to the metal, taking their delectables on the road, with their new roaming truck called The North Fork Food Truck.
 

On a crisp Sunday afternoon we met up with Claudia in the parking lot of Bedell Cellars where they were busy setting up for that afternoon's lunch crowd and where we talked about their new venture. "We want to support and partner with the local businesses on the North Fork", says Claudia. "We had the truck in the Hamptons but we quickly found out it wasn't where we were suppose to be. It just didn't make sense for us to be there". So thankfully for us you can find them most Saturday mornings, serving up warm croissants and yummy breakfast sandwiches at 8 Hands Farm using the farms daily pick of fresh eggs. Or find them parked at the Greenport Harbor Brewery Company where the batter for their Fish and Chips comes straight from the brewery's tap. And on most Friday evenings find them at the McCall Ranch grilling up McCall grass fed, Charolais beef burgers. To keep track of their every move follow them on their Facebook page. It’s fun and definitely worth tracking them down.

On The Town: Peconic

Photos by Joni Rentz & David KorchinA picturesque hamlet stretching from its namesake, The Peconic Bay across to the LI Sound. (Though originally its name was derived from a Native American word meaning "nut trees") It’s beauty didn’t go unnoticed and was home to the Peconic School of artists led by painters Benjamin Rutherfurd Fitz and Edward August Bell in the late 1800’s. Today it’s home to some of the best finds on the North Fork. Here are six reasons why we love Peconic.
 

1. North Found Co - A well curated "General Store" featuring new and found objects, vintage lighting, haberdashery even imported pasta and sauce.

2. Provisions and Ingredients - A small artisanal market featuring local and imported ingredients. Perfect for take-out or filling the pantry with.

3. Winemaker Studio - A cooperative tasting room where you can sample current releases, limited production wines and winemaker’s private labels.

4. Catapano Dairy Farm - Home to an award winning chevre. And we personally award a blue ribbon to their goat milk based yogurt.

5. Sang Lee Farms - One of the best organic farm stands on the North Fork.

6. Indian Neck Lane beach - Remote and breathtakingly beautiful.

The Room That Keeps on Giving

Photos by David KorchinThe Giving Room, known for their yoga classes, art installations and charitable events and contributions to the community, has now added a Juice Bar and Health Food Shop to their creds.
 
The store carries an array of healthy, organic juices, smoothies, organic foods and cleansing packages. We go for "The Great Green", made with KK Haspel's spinach, kale, parsley, ginger, celery, dandelion and lemon. Others lay claim to "The What’s Up Doc", with carrot, apple and ginger. "The Flu Shot", with a blend of pineapple, lemon, garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper and honey. And "The Sweet Heart", made with pineapple, cucumber, ginger, beet and apple.
 
Need more than one shot? Choose between a 3 or 5 day cleanse which include six healthy juices daily at a cost of $60 per day. Check out their menu options.
 
I’m a sucker for a smoothie and their Vitamix Smoothies are the best. The most popular, "The Yummy Smoothie" with vanilla protein, made with fresh-squeezed almond milk, bananas, strawberries and blueberries along with a vegetable-based protein powder and spinach. The name says it all.
 
The juice bar is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.
 
 The Giving Room Juice Bar & Health Food Shop. 56215 Main Rd, Southold, NY (631) 765-6670

Commence the Hunt

Photos by David KorchinWhen it comes to antiques and estate sales, spring is prime hunting season on the North Fork. So if you're looking to bag some mid-century piece, a farmhouse treasure, or a set of nine irons, here are some of our favorite places to put you on the right scent. Release the hounds!  
 

Beall & Bell  A great selection of mid-century furniture, flea market finds and farmhouse chic in Greenport.
White Flower Farmhouse  Very affordable painted furniture, old linen, candles, topiary, vintage garden accessories and flea market finds in Southold. 

North Found Co  A small eclectic shop carrying an array of new and found objects, vintage lighting, haberdashery, woolen blankets even imported Italian olive oils, pasta and sauces in Peconic.
Small Holdings  A barn filled with painted furniture, iron beds, vintage lawn ornaments in Aquebogue.
Material Objects  A restored farmhouse with objects and furniture both old, new and fabulous, in Jamesport.
 

Also check the Suffolk Times on Thursdays for upcoming weekend estate, yard and tag sales. And be sure to go to the EXPLORE section of NORTHFRKD for more info on these and other great places to discover.

Pitch Perfect

The Scout Single Pole Tent, the perfect cover for when you want to commune with nature. Made of natural sunforger canvas keeping it breathable and comfortable in warm weather and for keeping you dry and warm when the elements are against you. It comes with a water resistant canvas floor that can be placed down when the weather really isn't going your way. Resembling a teepee, it's equipped with a single collapsible hickory pole making it easy to put up and take down. Sleeps two comfortably so invite a friend. Happy camping!