Welcome to our growing community!
ORKESTAI FARM is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit located at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay, NY.
About Orkestai Farm
Orkestai Farm was founded in 2014 by Alethea Vasilas, Joshua Marcus, and Erin Staub. We are a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose goal is embrace the principles of universal design while practicing ecological agriculture and expressive arts. Since our inception we have created opportunities for community members to be impactful within our local food system and community.
Farm Philosophy and Practices
Orkestai Farm believes that human beings can have a regenerative relationship in reciprocity with our shared Earth when our ways of being take into account the interconnectedness of ALL things. This conception of interconnectedness leads also to the striving for an inclusive community and culture.
At the farm we intend to create a sanctuary where an inclusive and embracing community can come together to:
slow down,
unplug from the latest technology,
delve into embodied and experiential learning and exploration,
be buoyed by a sense of belonging,
develop an awareness of our interconnectedness,
renew the spirit,
honor our ancestors,
celebrate over good food,
share our harvest, and
cultivate diversity (biodiversity, neurodiversity, cultural diversity, etc.)
Because forming an inclusive community is central to our farm philosophy, we are committed to organizing our farm on a human scale. Our focus is on tools (an extension of hands) rather than machinery (human replacement). The human-scale allows for bio-intensive cultivation and a safe, peaceful, and community-oriented atmosphere.
CLICK ONE OF THE IMAGES BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DIFFERENT FACETS OF OUR FARM
What’s in a name?
OR - KESS - TIE
Our name derives from the ancient Greek word "orkheisthai," meaning "to dance or to set in motion, to stir up, to raise," and refers to the space of the ancient theater where choruses of dancers moved together to interpret the non-verbal aspects of the play being performed. It beautifully describes how we envision a farm; as a community collaboration that needs an orchestra of farmers who work together to grow healthy food and merry people.
How we Cultivate
We call ourselves a farm, but at about 1 acre, we’re really a Market Garden. Our size allows to…
Operate at a human scale with the intimacy of a garden,
Yet grow enough to feed dozens of families and supply various restaurants.
Our goal is not to be merely sustainable or organic, but regenerative;
To create a natural environment far more diverse and bountiful that we found it:
A place not exactly wild, but far from manicured;
Organized yet dynamic, beautiful and edible.
We have been both USDA and Real Project Certified Organic.
How we heal our land and nourish our community…
Every teaspoon of healthy soil contains more microorganisms than there are people on earth.
This incredible diversity, includes worm, spiders, ants, beetles and countless other creatures science is only beginning to count for.
This biodiversity is the source of fertility, the ability of plants to take in the nutrients from the soil. And for the plants to nourish your body and soul.
And yet, plowing/tilling is the equivalent of a volcano, hurricane, tsunami and tornado all wrapped in one mega-destructive event that happens on many farms over and over.
Instead, we mimic natural ecosystems, laying compost, leaves and other organic material plus some minerals, on top of the soil and planting and creating the space for a biodiverse array of plants.
This regenerates the soil and can even take carbon out of the atmosphere and put it back in the Earth.
Please help us to continue forward-thinking services like these for the Long Island community and elsewhere.
The Internal Revenue Service has designated Orkestai Farm, Inc. a 501(c)(3) organization. Your contribution is fully tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Thank you for your generosity!