What Do You Think About Special Events at Winery, Ag Operations?

This week, the Southold town board held a public hearing on legislation that would expand the current code to allow for special events at agricultural operations — and help keep farming alive on the North Fork.

"The legislation, for the most part, codifies the review process for special events held at wineries," Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said. "It also broadens the special event law in that the original law permitted special events at wineries only. This revision would allow any bona fide agricultural operation the right  to apply for a special event permit."

The law, Russell added, "seeks to give all agricultural operations the right to supplement their ag operation income with special events. However, those special events must be directly tied to the sale of the agricultural product. For instance, a wedding is allowed at a winery but the purpose of the wedding is to sell the winery's wine, etc."

At the public hearing, many spoke out about the need to keep farming vibrant on the North Fork landscape, adapting to the changing times and finding creative ways to draw visitors.

What do you think about special events on agricultural operations? Do you think they are necessary, to keep farming alive?