Old Bethpage Village Restoration Seeks Donations For New Fence, Future

OLD BETHPAGE, NY — With Earth Day on April 22, there's a woman who is giving back to her community, while making a difference for the planet's future.

Caroline Fanning is the co-founder and head grower at Restoration Farm in Old Bethpage. She has created a GoFundMe page for a deer fence to protect the vegetable fields at Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

Fanning said on the page that they had so much damage in 2022 that temporary fencing was set up to protect some of the crops.

"Without a permanent solution, it's questionable how much longer our operation—and farming in general—can continue at Old Bethpage Village Restoration," Fanning said.

She has gotten nearly $30,000 in donations, but the goal is $55,000 to install the new 8' high fence around the main fields.

"If we owned the land, we'd install it ourselves," she wrote.

Fanning, a head grower along with Daniel Holmes, said building the fence is about more than protecting the deer.

"[It] will enhance the farm’s ability to attract future farmers. In other words, the fence isn’t just an emergency measure for now—it’s an investment in the farm’s long-term future, too," Fanning said.

Patch is a promotional partner with GoFundMe.