Sylvester Manor Annual Report 2018 by Tracy Persson McCarthy

SYLVESTER

MANOR EDUCATIONAL

FARM ANNUAL REPORT 2018 VOLUME NO.2

W W W. S Y LV E S T E R M A N O R . O R G cultivate | preserve | share

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO ALL WHO DEMONSTRATED THEIR COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM BY CONTRIBUTING TO OUR SUCCESS. Those who made gifts in the 2018 fiscal year (November 1, 2017 – October 31, 2018) are listed on the pages that follow.

2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Benjamin Dyett, Board President Marc Robert, Vice President Elly Karp Wong, Secretary 1 Peter Vielbig, Treasurer Eben Fiske Ostby, Founding Chair Ingrid Brody Bateman

| Whitney Browne | Thomas F. Carrier | Kathleen DeRose 3 | Steven Eisenstadt

2018 STAFF Jo-Ann Robotti, Executive Director | Stephen Searl, Incoming Executive Director (1/1/18) Tracy McCarthy, Director of Operations | Courtney Wingate, Director of Development Bennett Konesni, Co-Founder / Chief Ambassador | Kim Folks, Director of Programs & Community Outreach Donnamarie Barnes, Curator / Archivist | Sara Gordon, Planning & Conservation Consultant Jocelyn Craig, Farm Manager | Tom Hashagen, Musical Events Coordinator | Carrie Wood, Retail Manager Caroline Scudder, Educational Coordinator | Gunnar Wissemann, House & Grounds Manager | Virginia Gerardi, Office Support Joseph O’Byrne, Office Administrator | Scott Feierstein, Staff Photographer, Red Sweatshirt Photography Deborah Lajda, Bookkeeper

OUR MISSION

We preserve, cultivate and share the history of Sylvester Manor to ensure that food and art remain connected to community and the land. 1

Term as Secretary began January 2018 | 2 Joined Board January 2018 | 3 Joined Board August 2018 |

Term ended October 2018

A MESSAGE FROM THE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear Friends, My first year as Executive Director at Sylvester Manor is complete, and it’s difficult to express the impact it has had on me, both personally and professionally. There are days when I come to work and have to pinch myself. Consider this: I grew up on a 300-acre farm on the North Fork; Sylvester Manor is 240 acres. My European descendants date back to the 1600s; the Manor can trace its colonial roots to the mid-1600s. I was raised in a 1735 farmhouse; the Manor House was built in 1737. Coincidentally, I worked with Peconic Land Trust on the initial land-use and conservation planning work 10 years ago for Sylvester Manor. How lucky am I now to be back here, a property that is remarkably similar to my own family farm and one that truly feels like home. The year began with a seamless transition from retiring Executive Director Jo-Ann Robotti, who helped professionalize the organization. By mid-January our full slate of programming had begun! Throughout the year, we held numerous concerts, cultural events and community gatherings. Included in this was our 2018 “Place in Pictures” exhibit which brought a record number of visitors to the property. The farm and farmstand had a highly productive year, thanks in part to the capital improvements we made. Another highlight was that the restoration of our 1810 Dominy Windmill began and will continue in earnest in 2019. But some of the most exciting work is yet to come. The organization’s priorities and the Board’s strategic plan mirrors that of our mission: To PRESERVE and maintain our historic structures, including the Manor House and windmill; to CULTIVATE and grow our farm and the connection we have to community through the food we grow, and; to SHARE our mission by expanding our programming in history, arts and education. As we look to shape our collective future it’s become clear that one of our greatest limitations is our infrastructure. To that end, we are in the very early stages of working with a preeminent landscape architect to develop a master site plan, a blueprint for the next 30 to 50 years that will comprehensively address these challenges and ensure that this historic landscape is preserved and our mission can reach its full potential. I am confident in our future, in large part because of your support and the extraordinary people that are involved. Not only do we have a dedicated team of Board and staff, but we are heavily reliant on a core group of apprentices, interns, volunteers and partners. At the heart of it all is a place, a landscape, that we intend to preserve and maintain as a refuge from the everyday, where secrets of our past can be revealed and a sustainable and resilient future developed. I look forward to having you join us in this journey to bring Sylvester Manor and its mission to life. Sincerely,

Stephen Searl Executive Director PRESERVE | CULTIVATE | SHARE

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

CONTENTS Message from the Executive Director...................................................1 Thank You to Our Partners.......................................................................2 Financial Overview.....................................................................................3 Volunteer Appreciation.............................................................................4 Membership..................................................................................................6 Internships at Sylvester Manor................................................................7 Little Kittie: 2018 Maritime Festival Debut.........................................7 A Place in Pictures......................................................................................9 An Elegant Evening of Philanthropy Palm Beach, Florida................................................................................10 Cobblestones on the Circle Lawn.........................................................11 The Farm at Sylvester Manor.................................................................13 Place-Based Learning...............................................................................14 Where Are They Now?........................................................................... 15 Cultural Events and Concerts................................................................16 Farm to Table 2018...................................................................................18 Summer Youth Program......................................................................... 22 The Forest School.................................................................................... 23 The Clean Water Project Continues................................................... 25 1810 Dominy Windmill Restoration.....................................................27 2nd Annual Cocktail Party at the Windmill...................................... 28 Donor Acknowledgements.................................................................... 30 Letter From Our Co-Founder................................................................ 32 2019 Calendar........................................................................................... 33

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS Sylvester Manor Educational Farm appreciates the support, knowledge and expertise of our local partners who help build connections to the wider community and also enhance the experience of visitors at our site.

THE PERLMAN MUSIC PROGRAM

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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In compiling our list of contributors, volunteers and partners, we have strived to be as accurate as possible. Please accept our apologies for any inadvertent omissions.

TABLE OF

FINANCIAL

TOTAL EXPENSES: $1,673,177

OVERVIEW Fiscal Year: November 1, 2017 - October 31, 2018 At Sylvester Manor Educational Farm we seek to demonstrate sound fiscal management and accountability measures to ensure our long-term sustainability.

TOTAL REVENUE: $1,438,118

 Special Events

 Direct Public Support

 Farm & Apprentice Program

 Farm & Apprentice Program  Cultural & Educational Programs

19%

 Retail (Farmstand & Gatehouse)  Facility Use Fees  Capital Expenditures Restricted Donations

The FY2018 operating budget shows a deficit, not uncommon in fast-growing nonprofit organizations of this size. We have tightened our belts to significantly reduce the deficit in the FY2019 projected operating budget, and are on a course to balance the budget in the foreseeable future, through systematically increasing revenues and contributions, and watching spending closely. Every dollar saved or contributed makes a difference. Your help—with your expertise, your time and/or treasure—is critical to our success! Thank you.

43%

 Endowment  Grants  Other

 Capital Expenditures 4%

13%

5% 10%

 Retail (Farmstand & Gatehouse)  Facilities / Organizational Support

1% 9%

 Cultural & Educational Programs

22% 9%

41%

 Development Communications

8% 5%

Data based on preliminary, unaudited financial information. Audited Financial Statements will be available in June, 2019, for fiscal year 2018. Planner Sara Gordon took (L-R) Donald J. Leopold, Sam Quinn and James Gibbs from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry on a sitewide trek of the Manor’s diverse ecology in August 2018.

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SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

VOLUNTEER

APPRECIATION The following individuals generously contributed their time, efforts and services in the 2017-2018 fiscal year to directly benefit our many programs and events for no other reason than a dedication to our mission. They are the muscle of Sylvester Manor, and we could not do what we do without them. They deserve all of our thanks and recognition.

ABOUT

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM Since 1652, Sylvester Manor Educational Farm on Shelter Island has been home to eleven generations of its original European settler family and is now considered to be the most intact plantation remnant north of Virginia. In 2009, Sylvester Manor, with its 1735 Manor House, 240 acres of woodland, waterfront, meadows and farmland, became a non-profit. In its latest iteration, it encompasses an organic educational farm that provides the community with fresh produce much of the year, a Summer Youth Program and numerous educational arts and cultural initiatives. The Manor House, still full of family history, artifacts and possessions, is open on a seasonal basis with exhibitions and tours, while its grounds, gardens and trails provide a respite for visitors April through December.

Jonnet Abeles Diane K. Anderson Ronit Avneri Alyssa Barker Renee Bartlett Ali Bavaro Keith Bavaro Lori Beard Raymond Terry Becker Brenda Bergman Chuck Berry Penny Berry Liz Bevilacqua Lou Bevilacqua Jackie Black Julia Brennan Jason Brewer Jeff Brewer Rob Brewer Adam Bundy Carol Butston Sally Calvin Paul Carberry Lisa Cholnoky Judith Christ John Christensen Dave Clark Harry Clark Mitchell Clark Roger Clark

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

Sean Clark Jessica Mariana Colantonio Michael Coles Laura Correa Gabrielle Costa Kim Costa Susan Coursey Anthony Crane Nora Creedon Holly Cronin John Cronin Janet Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Amato Jay Damuck Patricia Damuck Pete Dandridge Larry Davis Renata de Dalmas Phil Denara Isabel Diaz Laurie Dobson Laurie Dolphin Laury Dowd Margaret Doyle David Doyle Anne Dwoskin Benjamin Dyett Donna Emma Kim Feierstein Kate Findlay-Shirras Cynthia Flynt

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Alex Fontaine Karla Friedlich Nadean Funk Virginia Gerardi Liz Gewirtzman Linda Gibbs Sharna Goldseker Deborah Grayson Bruce Greenwald Karyn Greenwald Judith Grodowitz Brenda Grosbard Robert Grosbard Christine Guelton Philippe Guelton Linda Hacker Brenda Harms David Harms Stephen Harvey Catrina Heimann Carolyn Herbst Rick Herbst Susan Hine Sadie Houston Nancy Jaicks Debbie Jamieson Howard Johansen William Johnston III Justine Karen John Kaasik Matt Kast Mark Kaufman Anna Kelly John Kerr Penny Kerr Kerry Kinney Eric Koszalka David Kriegel Edie Landeck Kate Lawless

Lynn Leary Samuel Lebowitz Stephanie Lebowitz Heather Lee Charlie Lenardi Martin Levenstein Samara Levenstein Valerie Levenstein Donovan Li Yi Lin Tracy Lovatt Kathryn Lynch James Marshall Kat Marshall Billy Martin Kristina Martin Majdisova Whitney McCarthy Ryan McMahon Thomas McMahon Madeleine McNally Sarah Medford Dominic Misiano Tom Montgomery Graham Moore Lucille Morgan Stephen Morgan Jill Moser Raihan Nahmn Bahaa Nasser Sarah Netburn Bethany Notley Eleanor Oakley Renate Paul Kia Pedersen Susan PetrieBadertscher Nancy Picone Katie Potter Amanda Pratt

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Jim Pugh Margaret Pulkingham August Quinn Greg Raymond Maria Razza Lisa Reich Eloise Robert Samantha Roberts Jo-Ann Robotti Carlos Romera Thomas Roush Gabbi Rutherford Rosemarie Ryan Timothy Ryan Pat Sanders Sarah Santo Paula Sessa Pippa Shaw Sarah Shepherd Barrie Silver Liana Slater Shelby Slayton Jay Sterling Bobette Suter Max Tardio James Theinert Karen Tudor Sancha Van Erlach Olga Velez Peter Vielbig Glenn Waddington Jimmy Williams Jenn Wissemann Tristan Wissemann John Yang

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

MEMBERSHIP Active Members November 1, 2017 to October 31, 2018 PATRON MEMBERS Elizabeth Auman Catherine Brigham Peter Carlino Kimeran Daley Michael Daly Sandi and John Fifield Connie and Woody Fischer Mimi and Stephen Houston Sharleen Johns Kristin and Larry Kast Maryann Koch Russell Mercier Mary and Thomas Morgan 6

Donald Mosher Diana Pillsworth Rebecca and Stanford Searl Maureen Turey Erica Wallace Susan Yager

MANOR MEMBERS Jennifer and Andrew Boden Vaughn Buffalo Lillian DePaolo Mimi Edelman Jean Held

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

Deborah Lajda Alicia and Richard Mehl Leueen Miller Katherine Rossi-Snook JoAnn and Richard Savarese J. Edward Shillingburg Sabina Streeter Parnel Wickham

VOLUNTEER MEMBERS Georgette Grier-Key Tullia Limarzi Judi Mandl

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LITTLE KITTIE: 2018

MARITIME FESTIVAL DEBUT You may or may not be aware that Sylvester Manor owns an historic sailboat. Her name is Little Kittie. She is a Herreshoff 12 ½ built in 1914. There are many H12s in Dering Harbor but none as old as Little Kittie. She is the third ever built, and the oldest surviving of this iconic American design. Andrew Fiske, 10th-generation Sylvester descendant, grew up sailing Little Kittie along with his brothers and sisters on Buzzards Bay, Cape Cod, Massachusetts in the 1930s and 40s. The boat was sold out of the family in the late 40s but Andy was able to buy her back in 1952 and began sailing her in the waters surrounding Shelter Island. There is a reason H12s or “Doughdishes” are so popular. They are a great boat to learn on; very stable and can be easily handled by one or two people. Their beautiful lines, wood trim and gaff-rigged main give even the newer boats a classic elegance. And, with so many others around, there is a community aspect to doughdish ownership with organized races and social events. Shelter Island has the largest H12 fleet in the world. We owe a special thanks to Jim Pugh who has been a great supporter of our efforts to get Little Kittie back on the water in 2014 and every year since. We would also like to thank Anders Langendal and Sons for providing materials and expert advice as we do our best to maintain this historic gem.

INTERNSHIPS AT

THE MANOR It took twenty summers for me to actually step foot into Sylvester Manor, but now that I have, I know it will be part of my life forever. This past summer, I had the honor to be the very first historical intern for Sylvester Manor, working alongside Donnamarie Barnes and the rest of the staff. My summer in the Manor opened my eyes to a whole new side of Shelter Island, one that exists in both present and past. Between May and August 2018, Donnamarie and I tackled a range of projects, from organizing the house collection archives, managing the “A Place in Pictures” exhibition and taming a tiger (albeit, one that had been dead for 100+ years). By working on the tours, concerts and open houses for Shelter Island locals and tourists alike, I felt like I was able to connect with the Shelter Island community in ways that I had never been able to before all while honing in on archival skills I never expected I would develop.

– GABBI RUTHERFORD, PRESERVATION INTERN

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SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

“The photographs we see here show the Manor in many lights – as a farm and workplace, as a genteel 19th century home, and as a vacation spot. They likewise show the camera across these timeless grounds.” – EBEN FISKE OSTBY

Manor House with Mar y Catherine (Kate) Horsford and unidentified girl on the front porch prior to the 1908 renovation.

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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A PLACE IN PICTURES:

LANDSCAPE, MEMORY & MAGIC In June 2018, our second annual exhibition, “A Place in Pictures: Landscape, Memory and Magic,” opened at the Manor and featured photographs from the Sylvester Manor collection. Across the generations, Sylvester descendants created and preserved stunning examples of the history of photography illustrating the visual legacy of 19th- and 20th-century life at Sylvester Manor. After their marriage in 1847, Mary L’Hommedieu Gardiner and Professor Eben Norton Horsford, moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts and Horsford began teaching at Harvard University. An innovative chemist, and founding partner in 1856 of Rumford Chemical Works, Horsford kept abreast of technological developments in photography, and imbued his descendants with a fascination for emerging photographic media. These were employed to portray images of the Manor house and grounds and the life they lived on Shelter Island from the beginning of photography. This photographic tradition was embraced by Professor Horsford’s fifth and youngest daughter, Cornelia Conway Fenton Horsford. A talented watercolorist and photographer herself, Cornelia also employed professionals to capture Sylvester Manor with new techniques and with innovations in color photography. Cornelia’s vision of the Manor, her renovations to the historic house, her designs for the gardens and grounds were all captured in the photographs and paintings she created or commissioned. Her deep interest in her family’s history is evident in her vivid visual aesthetic, preserved through the family’s continuous ownership and occupancy of the Manor house, and shared with us through the photographic history. After Cornelia, 10th-generation descendant heir Andrew Fiske inherited the Manor in the late 1940s. He photographed the beloved gardens of his wife Alice Hench Fiske, the grounds shot from above on the water tower, and the inner workings of the Farm and the 1810 Dominy windmill. In black and white images, color slides and prints taken through the more than half century they lived here, Andrew and Alice added to the remarkable photographic history of Sylvester Manor. The fascination with photography lives on in 12th-generation heir, Eben Fiske Ostby. The exhibition and tours for “A Place in Pictures” were among the most successful programming we have had at the Manor. We welcomed a record numbers of visitors for guided and self-guided tours throughout the Summer and into the Fall. Our thanks to Eben Fiske Ostby for sharing this remarkable collection. From top to bottom: 1. Lawn tennis court at Sylvester Manor. (Clockwise from right) Prof. Eben N. Horsford, Mar y Gardiner (Mamie) Horsford, Cornelia Horsford, Phoebe Horsford, Lilian Horsford and unidentified young men. Ca. 1880’s: Tintype. Courtesy NYU Fales Library and Special Collections, Sylvester Manor Archive. 2. Cornelia Horsford in the garden at Sylvester Manor with her Kodak Camera and her Borzoi Russion Wolf Hound. Ca. 1915; Paper Print from Negative. 3. Sylvester Manor farm worker with tractor. Ca. 1930; Paper Print from Negative.

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SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

Photo: Host, Gillian Fuller (center) with friends

AN ELEGANT EVENING

OF PHILANTHROPY

CLUB COLETTE, PALM BEACH FLORIDA, FEBRUARY 2018

Sylvester Manor garnered OR made nearly thirty-thousand dollars in its first-ever significant fundraising effort beyond the shores of Shelter Island. Our gracious host, Gillian Fuller, made it possible for us to introduce our historic site to a new group of donors in the Palm Beach area. During the course of the evening, Co-Founder Bennett Konesni, along with Executive Director Stephen Searl, wowed the crowd with their compelling and inspiring voices of where we are now as an organization and where we aspire to take Sylvester Manor. We were also delighted to have special guest speaker, Stephen Skrenta, CEO of Acabonac Farms, who is currently leasing Sylvester Manorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back fields for regenerative grazing of 100% grass-fed, pasture-finished beef. Stephenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remarks made very real the benefits of how to use conserved land for an exciting project that benefits the land and the environment and marks a turning point in how we think about what we eat. This event created a number of new opportunities and was a huge moment for the growth of our small organization. Thank you to everyone who made the night a fantastic success!

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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COBBLESTONES

ON THE CIRCLE LAWN During the archaeological digs by the University of Massachusetts, Boston in the early 2000s at Sylvester Manor, this cobblestone drive was uncovered beneath the Manor lawn. The unearthed stones are distinctively placed according to a pattern and the scientists presume that the pathway served as working driveway for the original settlement in the 1650s. Over the years, visitors to the Manor have remarked on the cobblestones, saying they have seen similar works in places such as Jamaica and the West Indies, Ireland, England and Spain. We know that during those first years when the property was owned by Nathaniel Sylvester and his partners to provision their sugar operation on Barbados, there were workers representing many cultures; Enslaved Africans, Europeans and Native Americans. Each added their skills, traditions and labor to create this work that had both utility and a kind of beauty. The cobblestone driveway represents for us another example of the coming together of cultures here at Sylvester Manor.

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SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

Land tells a story, and Sylvester Manor Educational Farm is sharing its vision of sustainability through the CSA and relevant programming. I am proud to play a part in this endeavor of shared values, trust, and community. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; JACKIE BLACK, CSA MEMBER AND VOLUNTEER

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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DREAM BIGGER...

THE FARM AT SYLVESTER MANOR From its humble beginnings, the Farm at Sylvester Manor has grown to be a selfsustaining operation. With the money we bring in from CSA shares, Farmstand sales and wholesale produce sales we are able to cover all Farm annual operating costs. With donor support we are able to dream bigger, rising to meet the needs of our community while continuing to build on our mission to preserve, cultivate and share. In Spring of 2018 construction was completed to enclose the Farmstand, enabling us to display a wider range of products securely and out of the elements. May through November, customers were able to purchase our seasonal produce, eggs and pork as well as other regionally produced food items and wares. The Farmstand is steadily becoming a one-stop shop where you can find all of your seasonal meal needs, gifts and more. In 2018 we also introduced a Farmstand Retail Manager position. These new investments combined with expanded hours and increased offerings, yielded a remarkable 87.5% increase in gross Farmstand sales from $60,560 in 2017 to $113,560 in 2018. We continue to explore ways to increase production on the farm without necessarily adding new enterprises. Our goal is to maximize our growing capabilities within the deer fence while we take steps toward expanding to areas outside the current field footprint. Donor funding supports capital improvements in equipment and infrastructure that lead to higher yields, increased quality and greater efficiency. For example, the iPad purchased in 2018, with its â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;farmproofâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; case, played a crucial role in on-farm record-keeping, improving the efficiency of our harvest log and CSA sign-in, and increasing the accessibility of up-to-date planting and seeding plans. Bringing land into production takes time and this sort of longer-term planning and execution is fueled by your support. Over the last five years steps were taken to bring an area at the eastern side of the Windmill Field (previously wooded) into production. In May 2018 asparagus crowns were planted there. Asparagus is a perennial crop that will take a couple of years to establish itself; we expect to begin harvesting in the Spring of 2020. We thank you for your continued support of the Farm at Sylvester Manor and look forward to seeing you at the Windmill Field during the 2019 season as we continue to grow!

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SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

PLACE-BASED LEARNING

AT SYLVESTER MANOR Each Spring we welcome a new round of young farmers who make the Manor their home and take on the responsibility of growing food for the community while learning how a small vegetable operation works. In 2018 we ran a series of workshops for the benefit of our apprentices that were also open to the public. Topics included Beekeeping, Foraging, Soil Health, Permaculture, Managing for Plant Pathogens and Pests and The Importance of Seed Biodiversity. Educational programming was provided in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Organic Seed Alliance and other local and regional experts. In April we hosted an East End Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) event, part of a series of farm visits geared towards beginning farmers and organized by the Amagansett Food Institute. Our farm apprentices are paid for their labor and come away from their full-season experience with an enriched understanding of the interrelationships between food, nature, place and community. The 2018 Farm Crew will be remembered as a hardworking, gregarious and loving bunch whose energy was felt throughout the community. Many other young people and lifelong learners came onto the farm in 2018 as we hosted school groups from the Shelter Island School, Westchester Alliance of Black School Educators, the Waldorf School, Our Lady of the Hamptons and the Stony Brook School. Students were led on tours of the farm, Manor House and grounds as well as the Clean Water Project site. In March, a group of students from the Stony Brook School helped with seeding in the greenhouse. In May, the Shelter Island Daisy Troop helped to plant the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Garden which would later be harvested by participants of our Summer Youth Program. Our unique historic site on Shelter Island provides educational opportunities across many disciplines â&#x20AC;&#x201C; agriculture, arts, cultural history, ecology, engineering, mathematics, physics, science and sustainability. Donor support is crucial as we look for ways to enhance our educational programming and consider curriculum development for all ages.

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

EMILY LANDECK

2011-2012 FARM APPRENTICE

Sylvester Manor Educational Farm was the beginning of a long and fulfilling journey to a lifelong career of farming! I originally began as the Young Farmers educational program director and designer and learned quickly how much I loved farming itself. After spending two years at Sylvester Manor running the educational programs and interning on the farm I moved to the Pioneer Valley in Massachusetts. I worked at Natural Roots Farm, a horse-powered vegetable and livestock farm, in the hill town of Conway, MA. I spent two years there, living very simply in a small off-the-grid cabin, learning to work horses in a vegetable operation and expanding my general knowledge of vegetable farming and livestock care. I then took a year to work on a few different friends’ farms in the Pioneer Valley, expanding my experience working with other farmers’ horses and working in greenhouse production. In that same summer, I went on a 600-mile road bike trip from Seattle, WA to Arcata, CA visiting over 12 horse-powered vegetable and livestock farms along my route. I spent time working with each farmer in exchange for a place to pitch my tent, some fresh vegetables and a lot of varied knowledge and discussions on experience. In 2016 I applied to work at Riverland Farm in Sunderland, MA. Riverland Farm is a 40+ acre vegetable farm that provides vegetables to an on farm CSA, local and regional wholesale markets and cooperative CSAs based in the Boston area. In that first year I was quickly promoted to Assistant Manager and have spent the last three years of my time there leading crews through the myriad of tasks vegetable farming requires—from starting seeds in a greenhouse to the harvest, washing and packing high quality fresh produce for a wide range of markets. Recently I have entered in an arrangement to purchase the business and farm operation of Riverland Farm and will spend the next year working for them while finalizing the purchase to become the owner and operator in 2020. I think of Sylvester Manor often as the starting point of my long journey to farming as a career and eventual farm ownership. Sylvester Manor was the place I learned that I loved to work outside, with my hands in the dirt. I discovered the tangibility of farming and the tasks associated with organic vegetable production, and I learned the value of incorporating livestock into a vegetable operation. I have also kept my reverence for farming as an educational tool. Younger generations can learn a lot through the experience of a day on a farm and I aim to teach and provide space for that individual discovery as I move through the future of my farming career. – EMILY LANDECK

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SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

CULTURAL EVENTS

AND CONCERTS Sylvester Manor has hosted fine artists and musicians for much of its history, and we continue that tradition into the present day. The Sylvester Manor team, ever inspired by the vision and leadership of Co-Founder Bennett Konesni, continues to expand and refine our cultural programming, offering widely varied events with local and nationally-known artists and presenters that attract audiences from near and far. Launching the Sylvester Manor Concert Series into 2018, the International Bluegrass Music Association’s 2017 Momentum Award-winning band Mile Twelve played to a full house at the Shelter Island School auditorium, continuing the annual post-holiday January Concert tradition founded by local music producer Tom Hashagen. Partnering once again with Eastville Community Historical Society, in February we presented Lift Every Voice: A Celebration of Music, Culture & Tradition, marking our fourth annual Black History Month Event at Bay Street Theater. A panel of presenters led discussion of our shared, diverse heritage, followed by electrifying traditional singing and drumming. Next in the Concert Series were intimate House Concerts in April and May in the Manor house Music Room, with genre-bending Americana band Cold Chocolate, and New

Moon Acoustic Blues Band. Bennett, who early in his tenure at Sylvester Manor honored past inhabitants by playing banjo in the Manor house attic, introduced the Blues Band, saying: For nearly 200 years, enslaved people toiled here, building this house, growing crops, chopping trees, making barrels. Almost certainly music was a tool of survival and resistance here from the beginning, and we want to remember and memorialize the workers who lived here, built this place, and even built the nation. We want to remember their work, and their profound legacy. It is for this reason that we study and teach worksongs to our crew -as a way of remembering. Hosting the Blues is a way to remember this legacy too, and we’re proud to host this, the first Blues band to perform in our series. As the season warmed up, we moved outside. Community Potluck Dinners and Contra Dances at the Farmstand brought folks together with Slow Food East End and renowned musician and scholar Jeff Davis, as we shared meals and learned about the rich history of fiddle tunes and barn dances on Long Island. Summer brought the return of our Creekside Concerts, inviting audiences outside in July and August to enjoy live music and picnic on the lawn. Local Legends: Inda Eaton, The Nancy Atlas Project and Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks; and award-winning bluegrass band Flatt Lonesome attracted hundreds of people from far and wide, many for the first time, to experience epic, rollicking nights of music, dancing and community fueled by area food trucks featuring lip-smacking food and libations.

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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Romeo and Juliet appeared on the Manor grounds in July when Shakespeare at the Manor returned for its ninth season. The always popular weekend kicked off with a cocktail party on Friday at the spectacular waterfront setting of Liz and Lou Bevilacqua’s home, where Juliet called for her lover from a balcony, and Romeo exited the scene with a dramatic leap into the swimming pool! Supported once again by a cadre of welcoming host families, the brilliant troupe of Juilliard alum actors performed the classic tragedy on the lawn by the Manor house Saturday and Sunday, to the delight of hundreds of Bard-loving fans. For fun new family-friendly events, we partnered with the Shelter Island Public Library and hosted two Summer Movie Nights. Families enjoyed movies and popcorn in front of the big screen on the front lawn. The featured movies were Pixar favorites, Ratatouille and Coco. Our Founding Chair, Eben Fiske Ostby, played a role on the technical teams during both films’ production. Saturday mornings at the Farmstand during July and August, groups of enthusiastic children came for Story Thyme, ready to hear one of our librarians from The Shelter Island Public Library read a farm-themed book. The little ones loved having their special time, while parents visited the Farmstand or picked up their weekly CSA share. Once again, we hosted Perlman Music Program’s popular Instrument Petting Zoo. Youngsters guided by PMP faculty had fun experimenting with pint-sized stringed instruments, and learning what it takes to be a good audience!

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SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

S Y LV E S T E R M A NOR

farm to table dinner FARM TO TABLE 2018

Photo credit: David Vaughan

Sylvester Manor Educational Farm kicked off the Summer of 2018 on June 23, with our Seventh Annual Farm to Table Dinner held on the beautiful grounds surrounding the historic Manor house. Although we experienced some light rain as guests were arriving, not a single person was deterred and we had a packed house with nearly 300 supporters attending. A magical evening that featured delicious, locally-sourced food and wine, it inspired conversations about Sylvester Manor’s promise, and carried into the night with an exceptionally fun band. In the spirit of Sylvester Manor’s innovation, we tried something new: our first-ever TEXT TO GIVE campaign for the event. We were able to raise $30,000 in 30 minutes and continued to receive generous donations the days that followed. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, more than $345,000 was contributed on this lovely evening. These donations helped to ensure another year of Sylvester Manor advancing our mission to preserve, cultivate and share this unique and wonderful place. On behalf of our co-chairs, Edie Landeck and Ingrid Brody Bateman, and all of us at Sylvester Manor – board, staff, farmers, educators, preservationists and professionals – thank you for being a part of this very special and important event. With your help, we are changing the way we think about and experience food, culture and history, while preserving this heritage site.

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

S Y LV E S T E R M A N OR

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

2018

SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM Sylvester Manor comes alive during the summer months, and nothing speaks better to this than the Summer Youth Program. From July 2 through August 17, thirty children ages 3 to 7 were enrolled each week in Little Sprouts and Young Farmers. A new online registration system allowed for seamless enrollment and the program was fully subscribed by midMay, with a waiting list throughout the summer. In addition, thanks to a very generous grant from an anonymous donor, the program was able to offer scholarships to local families. We were delighted with this year’s seven dedicated youth instructors—six were year-round or lifelong summer residents of Shelter Island, and the seventh from nearby Cutchogue, and all were attuned to the magic of Sylvester Manor that was evident in their place-based educating of their little charges. In keeping with previous years, each week was centered around a theme - History, Environment, Plants, and Animals— highlighting the resources of Sylvester Manor. And expanding this year, we also partnered with Acabonac Farms, the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Center, and Long Island Livestock and Yarn, to bring experiential learning to the Manor. The children got

to herd cattle and appreciate the benefits of “ice cream” grass, identify the call of a Red-tailed hawk, and understand the process by which wool becomes yarn. Daily responsibilities included maintaining the Children’s Garden, composting, feeding the chickens and collecting eggs. Our creative team of instructors updated the stories that line the children’s walk from the Farmstand to the Sunflower Barn, and we expanded the Little Sprouts play area with sand and water tables. Highlights included watermelon scavenger hunts, hikes to the Manor beach at Second Bridge where no one stays dry, Pirate Day, and lots of cooking! A key component of both the Little Sprouts and Young Farmers programs continues to be establishing a meaningful understanding of “farm to table.” The children help prepare at least one dish each week using the eggs, vegetables and berries they collect. Each week ended with a potluck lunch at the Sunflower Barn; the children’s homemade pickles, zucchini muffins, and blackberry yogurt popsicles continued to be favorites. All through the winter, when summer still seems far away, we are busy planning for the July 2019 Summer Youth Program opening day.

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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THE FOREST SCHOOL AT

SYLVESTER MANOR In 2018, through a partnership with the Shelter Island Early Learning Childhood Center, Sylvester Manor became the host to the first Forest School on the East End of Long Island. Modeled on traditional Forest School philosophy, the program encourages four-year-old children to learn through play-based discovery and problem-solving, and takes place almost exclusively in nature. Led by Ms. Hannah Gray, a certified Forest School teacher and also trained in the Reggio Emilia Approach, which fosters childled exploration of knowledge, the children spend three days a week on the grounds of the Manor. There is research showing that children inspired by the outdoors, typically experience, over time, an increase in their self-belief, confidence, learning capacity, enthusiasm, communication and problem-solving skills, while developing a strong sense of emotional well-being. Ms. Gray has put incredible effort into setting the stage for the new program, stating “how very fortunate we are to have a school in the wild, whose very purpose is to nurture a child’s own curiosity and wonder, thereby cultivating both their dreams and an understanding of the dreams of the forest.” This pilot program provides yet another way for Sylvester Manor to partner with a local organization and bring our mission to life; in using Sylvester Manor for this naturebased school we are not only fostering an environmental ethic in children at a very early age, but we’re cultivating the next generation of stewards of Sylvester Manor and Shelter Island. Seeing the children exploring the grounds, hearing them sing traditional work songs the farmers have taught them, or watching them gather under the Weeping Beech to listen to the rustle of the leaves, has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the program to all. Whether they are a teacher or learner in and among this curriculum that embraces nature, or staff or visitor observing the children’s instinctive rapport with the place or hearing their songs or laughter, the Forest School is a gift to Sylvester Manor.

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SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

I appreciated the opportunity to help educate and illustrate that engineering is the application of science in pursuit of the protection of public health, safety, and welfare. An education venue such as yours affords a fine opportunity to bring that message to the public, and especially its young members. I have given dozens of such presentations in my 46-year career in the profession but yesterday's had a level of audience engagement I have not before witnessed. I'm sure that's attributable to Sylvester Manor working to interest them before my part, the work of their teachers and parents/caregivers, and of course the kids themselves. Thank you for inviting my participation.

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; JOHN C. CRONIN, JR., P.E.,Â SHELTER ISLAND TOWN ENGINEER

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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HELPING RECLAIM OUR WATER

THE CLEAN WATER PROJECT CONTINUES

Sylvester Manor’s Clean Water Project—an innovative nitrogenreducing wastewater treatment system we are piloting with Suffolk County that serves the Manor’s farm crew and staff and the public—is a great example of the COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION and the POWER OF EDUCATION that make the investment of time and resources at Sylvester Manor Educational Farm so worthwhile. As we grow, we adopt the most promising innovative strategies for resilience and sustainability. And because The Manor draws visitors from near and far, and collaborates with educational organizations throughout the region, the impact of these projects reaches well beyond our boundaries, multiplying with each visitor, educator or student interaction. In 2018, our post-graduate partner at the Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Samantha Roberts, along with colleagues from the NYS Center for Clean Water Technology (CCWT), shared their findings through numerous presentations across Long Island and New England. We were lucky enough to have Samantha share her expertise and methodology right here at the Manor with Shelter Island School math and science students. The Clean Water Project also was featured in the annual allElementary School field trip, as the fourth graders worked with Shelter Island Town Engingeer, John Cronin, to measure and master the concept of septic and groundwater flow from the toilets to the nearest shoreline. The Suffolk County Department of Health Services and the NYS CCWT are watching the project closely as they develop their programs and protocols for addressing the increasing challenge of high nitrate concentrations in Long Island’s groundwater and surface waters. Sylvester Manor is deeply grateful for the many supporters who got this project into the ground in 2017, and to Suffolk County, the CCWT and the McConnell Family Foundation for their ongoing support of Clean Water Project monitoring, maintenance and operation. And we are pleased to report that preliminary results indicate the constructed wetland treatment technology appears to be highly effective at reducing nitrogen. Stay tuned!

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SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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1810 DOMINY WINDMILL

RESTORATION BEGINS

In July of 2017 the Sylvester Manor Board of Directors gave the “GO” to dive into a capital campaign to fully restore and preserve the iconic Sylvester Manor Dominy Windmill (which is one of eleven surviving 18th and early 19th century wind-powered gristmills on Long Island, and one of four extant windmills built by Nathaniel Dominy V, a prominent East Hampton craftsman) so that it may be open to the public for viewing, educational activities, demonstrations and to revive its legacy as an operating mill. Imagine the lessons we can teach our children, not just about the windmill’s history and use as a gristmill, but how it harnesses the power of wind and is a renewable source of energy. The past informs the future. The windmill and the larger historic landscape provide us with tangible ways to think about and experience history, culture, food and sustainability. With your help, we have already raised over $150,000 to preserve our historic 1810 Dominy Windmill. Your support literally helped us lift the windmill six feet off the ground so that footings could be poured and the foundation rebuilt. We hit a few bumps in the road completing the foundation, but we are thrilled to say it is now COMPLETE. This winter, the next stage begins with the entire structure being reshingled, including the cap, the doors and windows repaired or replaced, and the trim painted. Thank you to everyone in the community who has supported this initiative and for your patience as we plow ahead. The biggest THANK YOU of all goes out to Thomas Roush, without whom none of this would be possible. We look forward to seeing those blades go up before the end of the year!

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SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

SPECIAL THANKS AND APPRECIATION To those who helped make the 2018 Windmill Cocktail Party possible Elizabeth and Joseph Eckman Jasteka Foundation – Elly and Tony Wong

Thomas Roush Susannah and Brandon Rose Margaret and Erwin Zeuschner

…and to the generosity of our donors for being a part of this historic preservation project: Joanne Allegretti Poppy and Ross Allonby Ana and Andre Appignani Ingrid and Justin Bateman Stanley Birnbaum Julia Brennan Whitney and Ria Browne Franklin and Susan Ciaccio Amy Cococcia Edie Landeck and Michael Coles Christine and Cromwell Coulson Donna Emma and Larry Davis Rosemarie Ryan and Benjamin Dyett Kathleen DeRose and Nigel Francombe Jane Galasso Kathleen R. Gerard Brenda and Robert Grosbard Cynthia Halaby The Halaby Family Trust Susan and Clarkson Hine Allan A. Horland Shannon Houghton MaryAnn Koch and William Johnston III Alexander King William King Cynthia Flynt and David Kriegel Belle and Gerard Lareau Kareen and Scott Laton Pamela Sweeney and Peter Levenson Walter Loughlin

Mike Lubin Michael Mankins Maria McBride Jessica McCarthy Randy Medrano Matthew Arendt and Thomas Misson Jr. National Christian Foundation Bethany and Leigh Notley David Persson and Donna L. Persson Ann Banks and Peter Petre Dona Bergin and James Pugh Alison Relyea Karen and Marc Robert Tim Haynes and Kevin Roberts Charity Robey Susannah and Brandon Rose Thomas Roush Karolann and Alex Rubin Finley and Patrick Shaw Audrey She Jillian Steadman Eva and Jan Sudol Katherine Sudol Jennifer and Derek Van Zandt Joan Wicks Margaret and Erwin Zeuschner

Event Photo Credit: Max Tardio

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

DONOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS $50,000+ Edie Landeck and Michael Coles Jennifer and Steven Eisenstadt Karen and Sam Seymour

$20,000 - $49,999 Ingrid and Justin Bateman The Gillian S. Fuller Foundation, Inc. Jasteka Foundation, Inc / Elly and Tony Wong Thomas Roush

$10,000 - $19,999 Victoria and Craig Bergstrom Kathleen DeRose and Nigel Francombe Gillian Fuller The Mamdani Foundation, Inc. / Shelby and Iqbal Mamdani Susan Brady and Eben Ostby Nancy Richardson Jennifer and Derek Van Zandt The Walt Disney Company Foundation Margaret and Erwin Zeuschner

$5,000 - $9,999 BC Partners Foundation, Inc. Elizabeth and Louis Bevilacqua The Caliban Foundation / Donna Snow and Michael Rubinoff Susannah and Tom Carrier Christine and Cromwell Coulson Donna Emma and Larry Davis Douglas and Lily Band Family Foundation Rosemarie Ryan and Benjamin Dyett Brenda and David Harms Declan Kelly Kenneth G. Tropin Rev. Trust Cynthia Flynt and David Kriegel Matthew Arendt and Thomas Misson Jr.

National Christian Foundation / Elizabeth and Joseph Eckman Jennifer Ruys

$1,000 - $4,999 Bruce Babcock Margarita and Ari Benacerraf George D. Benjamin Foundation, Inc. Bessemer Trust / Elizabeth and Bill Pedersen Katherine and Marco Birch Katie Ford and Tom Bishop Blair and John Borthwick Bettina and Brendan Brownyard Betsy Morgan and Jonathan Cary Marshia and Peter Carlino Amy Cococcia Isobel and Struan Coleman Nancy Cooley Carol Mandel and Vincent Covello Susan and Chris Cowie Elaine and Ralph Crocker Suzanne Shaker and Pete Dandridge Sue Lonoff and John de Cuevas Barbara de Portago Dirtworks Landscape Architecture PC James Dougherty William C. Dowling Jr. Foundation Mara Manus and Mark DuBois Susan Dusenberry Jenna Fagnan Richard Hersh and Thomas Fallon Charles Fleckenstein Heidi and Chris Fokine Jane Galasso Kathleen Lynch and William Geraghty Kathleen R. Gerard Kathleen Minder and Stephen Gessner Patricia and Edward Giles The Scott and Kim Goodwin Charitable Fund Ricki Stern and Evan Guillemin

The Halaby Family Trust / Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Halaby Kevin Roberts and Tim Haynes James Heidenry Lily and Joel Hoffman The Richard Hogan & Carron Sherry Foundation, Inc. Mimi and Steve Houston Jane and Alex Jackson Gregory James Yilin Jamison MaryAnn Koch and William Johnston III Kasowitz Family Foundation Kareen and Scott Laton Stephanie and Samuel Lebowitz Pamela Sweeney and Peter Levenson Jane and Jeff Lightcap Georgette and Michael McConnell Jessica McCarthy Lindsay and Emmett McCann Melanie Coronetz and Bruce Miller Lucille and Stephen Morgan Russell Piccione Pitt Miller Family Fund Jane Azia and Robert Quaintance Karen and Marc Robert Charity Robey Ian Rosenthal Susannah and Brandon Rose Karolann and Alex Rubin Stephen Harvey and Perry Sayles Rebecca and Stanford Searl Angelica and Thilo Semmelbauer Finley and Patrick Shaw Clora Kelly and Helge Skibeli Liana and John Slater Shelby and Scott Slayton Dr. Alicia Rojas-Sloan and Dr. Robert Sloan Richard Smith Christine Smith Lisa Stamm Marsha and Herb Stern Stowe Family Foundation / Natasha and Richard Stowe Straus Family Charitable Trust Eva and Jan Sudol

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

Kristen Kehrberg and Richard Tarlow Sara Gordon and Peter Vielbig Sedgwick Ward Melina and Marc Wein Wilcox Family Fund / Kirby and Amy Wilcox Patricia and Todd Williamson Charlotte and Lloyd Zuckerberg

$500 - $999 Francesca and Brad Anderson Zonia Bateman Regina and Donald Becker Kimberly Noland and Kim Bonstrom Courtney Wingate and Marcus Borowsky Wendyce H. Brody Kathryn Dinkel Carey and Edward Carey Molly Channing Elizabeth & Scott Corein Amanda Ciaccio and Douglas Crowe Peter & Kathryn Dinkel John Fifield Heidi Fokine Silvia Formenti Mary Cirillo-Goldberg and Jay Goldberg Alice and Stuart Goldman Kathleen and Gordon Gooding Karyn and Bruce Greenwald Anne Grifo Holly Atkinson and Galen Guengerich Cynthia Halaby Susan and Clarkson Hine Allan A. Horland Caroline Hackney and Carl Hribar Esther Hird Hunt Larry and Kristin Kast Joshua Levine Steve Levy Peter Lighte Michael Mankins Joe McKay Grace Morgan Kimeran Daley and Rudy Reinhart Elizabeth Casey and Stephen Searl Jeffrey Smith

Nancy and John Sommi Felicia Stingone Landey Strongin Eileen and Russell Wilkinson

$250 - $499 Mary Ellen and Frank Adipietro Poppy and Ross Allonby Ana and Andre Appignani Bilge and Dr. Fabrizio Bassani Scott Brittingham Whitney and Ria Browne Vaughn Buffalo Anthony Cardona Franklin and Susan Ciaccio Christopher and Marisa Coulson Fidelity Charitable Donor-Advised Fund Carrie Girin Brenda and Robert Grosbard Harriet and Elihu Inselbuch Georgiana and Wallace J. Ketcham William King Belle and Gerard Lareau Samara Levenstein Cara and Michael Loriz Walter Loughlin Mike Lubin Sally and Barry Mandel The Jim and Lorraine Mann Foundation Paul and Roberta Martin Maria McBride Russell Mercier Kathryn Lynch and Peter Moore Bethany and Leigh Notley Ann Banks and Peter Petre Alison Relyea Anne and Andrew Schotter Audrey She Patti Silver Jillian Steadman Bonnie and Tom Strauss Gwen and Glenn Waddington Nancy Gilbert and Richard Wines

Up to $249 Matthew Aldredge Joanne Allegretti Beth Auman Jane and John Babinski Wade Badger

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Dennis Baresich Gladys Barnes Donnamarie Barnes Gary Beeber Richard Behrke Linda Betjeman Stanley Birnbaum Annette and Stanley Blaugrund Tullia Limarzi and Timothy Bohen Jennifer and Andrew Boden Jean Brechter Catherine Brigham Virginia and Kevin Brooks Archer Brown Elizabeth Browne Sarah Burr Mary Woltz and Rob Calvert Cindy Belt and Mark Cappellino Marianne Carey Andrew M. Chapman Meryl Rosofsky and Stuart Coleman Jocelyn Craig Gregory Cranford Michael Daly Renata and Guillaume de Dalmas Delight DeDeBernardis Richard and Carolyn Denning Lillian and Nick DePaolo Claire and Peter DeSanctis

Margaret and David Doyle Mary Ita Dwyer Mimi Edelman Madelyn Ewing Barbara Fair Miriam and Thomas Farmakis Ann Robertson and Jeffrey Feingold Heidi Feser Connie and Woody Fischer Lynn Franklin Chris Gaynor Thomas McMahon and Linda Gibbs Becky Goodhue Dr. Georgette Grier-Key Julia Grimes Ron Grin Barbara Groves Alexandra Hahn Sara Hamlen Jean Held Arista Holden Shannon Houghton Sandra D. O’Connor and Edwin M. Hydeman IBM Corporation Judith H. Inglis Sharleen Johns Marika Kaasik Jane and John Kenney Alexander King

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Dolores and Anthony Kowalski Thelma Krueger Gerald L’Hommedieu Karen and Russ L’Hommedieu Deborah Lajda David H. Larsen Alex Eames and Chris Leonard Valerie and Martin Levenstein Jill Moser and David Lichtenstein Robin Lyttle Shawna Macnamara Kristina Martin Majdisova Diana Malcolmson Judi Mandl Tracy and Bryan McCarthy Randy Medrano Alicia and Richard Mehl Connie Migliazzo Leueen Miller Mary and Tom Morgan Margie Mosher Dr. Stephen Mrozowski New York University Helen Carey O’Neill Renate Paul Joanna Patton and Bill Persky David Persson and Donna L. Persson Diana Pillsworth Anthony Crane and Amanda Pratt

Dona Bergin and James Pugh Margaret Pulkingham Marilynn and Ken Pysher Greg and Nellie Ramsey Maria Razza Katherine Rossi-Snook Deborah Grayson and Jonathan Russo Jeremy Samuelson JoAnn and Richard Savarese J. Edward Shillingburg Joseph Peter Spang Sabina Streeter Katherine Sudol Elise Trucks Maureen Turey Beverly and Barbara Tyler Mary and Kenneth Walker Erica Brower Wallace and John Wallace Marshall Watson Eric Hensley and Bob Weinstein Joan Wicks Parnel Wickham Isaiah Williams Amy Wood Hilary and Eric Woodward Susan Yager Carolyn Zenk

IN HONOR OF Ingrid Bateman Kathleen Gerard David Kamp Georgiana Ketcham Cara Loriz The Jim and Lorraine Mann Foundation The Scott and Kim Goodwin Charitable Fund Straus Family Charitable Trust Sara Gordon and Peter Vielbig Courtney Wingate

IN MEMORY OF Alice Fiske

IN KIND DONATIONS Bartlett Tree Experts Shelter Island Party Rental Mattituck Environmental Services William Johnston III Johnston and Son Earthmoving Inc. Naomi Hogarty 91 East Productions Samara Levenstein SALT & PORT Restaurants

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

LETTER FROM OUR

CO-FOUNDER Dear Supporters, Around the Island, people often introduce me as an eleventhgeneration descendant of the original European settler of the island. Then they point out that they too are Sylvester descendants, and that we are in fact cousins. It happens all of the time, and it’s great fun to meet a new relative. In a sense, it was on behalf of all of these relatives that in 2006 my uncle Eben Fiske Ostby offered the family jewel to me as my inheritance – a largely intact 240-acre historic Manor, purchased from King Charles II in 1651 by my eighth greatgrandfather for 1600 barrels of sugar. The place is as fairytale as the story itself. Driving in on an Olmstead-designed driveway you come gracefully around a corner to see America’s oldest surviving Georgian manor house and rambling 18th-century formal gardens, framed by what are literally the first boxwoods ever brought to America. Down a long sloping lawn is the water landing where provisions were loaded onto ships bound for the family’s Barbados sugar plantation. To the right are the fields where my ancestors and their Native, African, and European crew conducted important agricultural research for Thomas Jefferson and the new American government. In the house are the archives of hundreds of years of activity on this singular property, which neatly reflects America’s evolving relationship with its land, its people and the world. The stories told by our artifacts, architecture, papers, and art inform anyone who dares explore them. When you step back to take in the scene the thought hits you – how remarkable that these treasures survived this long intact. So there I was, 24 years old in 2006, and as I considered the offer I realized it was too much for any one person’s shoulders. I could not keep the legacy alive without doing something unusual.

this place and its story. My uncle agreed that we would give people a fresh and unique way to experience history, using the richness of the past to help the shape future… which is what history is for, we thought. Nine years into the project I’m proud to say we’ve done just that: we’ve given away the jewel – to you – and we’re working to ensure that it shines bright for the next eleven generations of humanity, and beyond. We’re stretching our wings a bit here this year, as our tenth anniversary approaches, to share this story. It is a story that goes beyond the confines of Shelter Island, New York, both historically and in the present day, and we’re excited to start telling it on the national stage. In this report we hope you caught a glimpse of who we are, why people are buzzing about us, and why it’s important for you to be along with us on our journey forward. On behalf of my immediate family, and all of the cousins(!), thank you for being a part of Sylvester Manor Educational Farm. Sincerely,

Bennett Konesni

So I countered the inheritance offer with the suggestion that we start an institution that would forever preserve and share

SYLVESTER MANOR EDUCATIONAL FARM | 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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2019 CALENDAR JANUARY CSA REGISTRATION BEGINS Tuesday, January 1 CONCERT: THE SLOCAN RAMBLERS Saturday, January 19 | 7:30PM | Shelter Island School

JULY SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM COMMENCES Monday, July 1 | 9AM-12PM | Manor Grounds

FEBRUARY

CONTRA DANCE: VOX HUNTERS, BENNETT KONESNI & FRIENDS Saturday, July 6 | 7PM | Manor Grounds

SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM BEGINS Friday, Feburary 1

COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE DAY Saturday, July 13 | 11AM-3PM | Manor Grounds

BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT: “Hidden In Plain Sight” Sunday, February 24 | 2-4PM | Bay Street Theater

SHAKESPEARE COCKTAIL FUNDRAISER Friday, July 19 | 6-8PM | Location TBD

MARCH NYC COCKTAIL PARTY FUNDRAISER Thursday, March 14 | 6:30-9PM Brooklyn Historical Society

APRIL CONCERT: LES POULES Á COLIN Saturday, April 13 | 6 & 8PM Sylvester Manor Music Room

MAY FARMSTAND OPENS Saturday, May 11 | 10-4PM | Farmstand CONCERT: SAM REIDER AND THE HUMAN HANDS Saturday, May 11 | 6 & 8PM Sylvester Manor Music Room

JUNE FIRST CSA PICKUP Saturday, June 8 | 9-11AM | Farmstand MANOR HOUSE EXHIBITION OPENING COCKTAIL PARTY “All That Has Been: Our Roots Revealed” Saturday, June 8 | 5-7PM | Manor House FARM TO TABLE DINNER Saturday, June 29 | 6:30PM | Manor Grounds

“SHAKESPEARE AT THE MANOR” Saturday, July 20 | 6PM | Manor Grounds “SHAKESPEARE AT THE MANOR” Sunday, July 21 | 6PM | Manor Grounds CREEKSIDE CONCERT: KERRY KEARNEY BAND Sunday, July 28 | 5PM | Manor Grounds

AUGUST LAST DAY OF SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM Friday, August 16 WINDMILL COCKTAIL PARTY FUNDRAISER Saturday, August 24 | 6-8PM | Manor Grounds SYLVESTER MANOR HARVEST SERVICE Sunday, August 25 | 10:30AM | Union Chapel CREEKSIDE CONCERT: LOS HACHEROS Sunday, August 25 | 5PM | Manor Grounds

OCTOBER FALL FESTIVAL AND GARLIC PLANTING Saturday, October 26 | 12-3PM | Windmill Field LAST CSA PICKUP Wednesday, October 30 | 9-11AM | Farmstand

DECEMBER TEA & TREE AT SYLVESTER MANOR Sunday, December 8 | 12-3PM | Manor House

SYLVESTER MANOR E D U C A T I O N A L

FA R M

80 North Ferry Road | PO Box 2029 Shelter Island, New York 11964 info@sylvestermanor.org | 631.749.0626

sylvestermanor.org