Buy local: Farm stand spotlight – Cheryl’s Farm Stand

Orthodontist assistant during the week and farmer on weekends, Cheryl Pelis is living the best of both worlds and loving every bit of it.

After taking a left off of the exit 71 ramp on the Long Island Expressway, a large white sign points oncoming traffic to the left, if one seeks fruits and veggies or even clams. Following a series of signs, scattered along the twisty road, you will come across Cheryl’s Farm Stand, a small shack with a traditional set-up that’s remained unchanged for over 30 years.

Pelis started selling produce out front of her farm at just 9 years old. Her family has owned the once 30-acre property for 200 years. Since her grandmother’s passing, though, most of the acreage has been sold off, leaving just two for her to farm. But that doesn’t bother Pelis; in fact, she prefers it this way, as she does all the work herself.

“Because of the small amount of land, I can monitor the plants much easier,” Pelis said.

And not only can Pelis dedicate more time to each plant, she also no longer uses any pesticides which she is ever-proud about but doesn’t feel the need to brag.

“I go out there and check my plants all the time,” she said. “If there’s a bug on them, I’ll just squish it. It takes some time but it beats using pesticides.”

Eleven years ago, money was getting tight so Pelis sought and landed a job at Dr. Richard Bach’s office as an orthodontist assistant.

“I’m in the office four days a week and I absolutely love it,” she said. “But to get to go outside for the other three days of the week is like stress relief. It’s like going to the gym.”

The best part about Cheryl’s Farm Stand is that everything is local. She rarely brings in any produce grown outside of the area. Even the clams, which her son digs on occasion, are always fresh and local.

“Farm stands have become big buildings now,” Pelis said. “I’m proud that my stand has been the exact same way since I first opened it. It survived all the storms and unpredictable weather.”

Every once in a while a new plant emerges out of the ground because Pelis continually adds to her selection of produce, distributing seeds across the terrain. This year, for example, she’s growing purple tomatoes from Japan.

There were some pumpkins this season that sprouted in places where a seed was never planted.

“Stuff like that happens all the time,” Pellis said. “One year someone just threw a peach pit onto my property and now, I have this enormous peach tree. It’s pretty cool.”

The farm stand is officially open Friday, Saturday and Sunday but Pelis leaves some produce out during the week available for sale through self-service.

“Farming is my passion,” Pelis said. “And there’s nothing like sharing the production of my passion with others.”

Cheryl’s Farm Stand is located on River Road in Calverton. Check out her Facebook Page for more pictures.

RiverheadLOCAL photos by Michael Hejmej
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