Located on Middle Highway, this 9+ acre farm was built from a scrub oak forest just 3 miles from the center of East Hampton by Maggie Kotuk, a local artist and breeder of Fresian horses.
The farm is unique in that it is the only farm in East Hampton with direct access to the 100 mile Paumanok Path by way of the more direct Northwest Trail system. The trails can be used for horseback riding, hiking, biking or cross country skiing. Paumanok is the native American name for Long Island and was inspired by Stephen Talkhouse, a 19th century Montaukett Indian known for his 25 mile round trip hikes from Montauk to Sag Harbor. Landmarks along the trail mark his resting places, including a huge rock outcropping, called an “erratic” that has a natural bowl at its center that collects rain water. The Indian travelers often stopped to drink from this rock.
The farm has been the site of numerous fundraising efforts as well. Rock the Farm raised money for Row New York, an organization set up by Amanda Kraus, Maggie Kotuk’s daughter, to help inner city girls academically and athletically through the sport of crew and raised money for The Giving Tree. Nick Kraus, Maggie Kotuk’s son, has also been involved in fund raising efforts on behalf of the Wounded Warrior Project and The Soldier Ride. The two not for profits benefit veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The farm is also the inspiration for a trilogy of children’s books, The Tails, which was written and illustrated by Maggie Kotuk and her daughter, Amanda Kraus and tells stories of the animals on the farm to help children relate to common human experiences.
