Buy Local: Farm Stand Spotlight – Farmer Dan

Located less than a mile east of Edwards Avenue, Farmer Dan farm stand has been a long-time fixture on Middle Country Road in Calverton, dating back to at least the 1940s, according to current owner John Sujecki.

The small red booth, packed with locally grown produce, was formerly owned by Dan Donahue, a life-long Calverton resident whose family settled in Calverton during Ireland’s Potato famine in the 1800s.

Sujecki sought out the 30-acre property six years ago. Donahue, who was already using a walker at the time, was getting too old to work and with his only helper retiring to Florida, he agreed to rent the land. Donahue died May 23, 2011 at age 88. He was regularly recognized for his award-winning vegetables which made Sujecki instantly respect the man. He was determined to fill his shoes in continuing to grow the best and most savory vegetables the land was capable of producing.

“It’s in my blood,” said Sujecki.

Sujecki, whose grandfather owns five-generation-strong Sujecki Farms, wanted to get back into growing vegetables as his grandfather with age transitioned to growing only grain crops which are easier to maintain day-to-day.

John was finally able to purchase the farm this April and will keep the farm’s name the same.

“It’s out of respect,” he said.

Today he, his father Rick, along with some family members, operate the wholesale/retail farm.

“We grow a lot of everything,” said Rick Sujecki. “But not a lot of it.”

“Pretty much everything that is on our stand, we grow,” John said.

On the stand you will find: corn, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, eggplant, cauliflower, broccoli, collard greens, kale, cabbage, onions, string beans, sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, zucchini and lettuce.

The farm isn’t certified organic as they grow vegetables conventionally but some of their products may be of organic quality because they are grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides.

“When we do spray, it’s minimally,” said John. “But not everything needs to be sprayed.”

On the list of non-sprayed produce is: string beans, sweet potatoes, onions, beets, carrots and lettuce.

“The bugs don’t really bother them too much,” John said.

But corn on the other hand, is nearly impossible to grow without the help of pesticides.

“Because of the earworm and armyworm, you have to,” Rick said. “Unless you want to use genetically modified corn.”

And the Sujeckis are unwilling to try it.

“Let’s put it this way,” Rick said. “Corn is my favorite thing and I eat a lot of it. It already tastes great, why change it?”

“In genetically modified corn, the pesticide is basically coming up through the plant,” he said.

Now since John has purchased the farm stand, he now plans on trying to expand the two-car parking lot, as his business begins to ripen.

Farmer Dan is open everyday from 9-5 p.m.