Crossroads Farm in Malverne: Open and celebrating

Crossroads Farm at Grossmann’s is celebrating its spring reopening, its one-year anniversary and Earth Day. A Malverne landmark, Grossman’s farm graced this five-acre plot for more than 100 years until it closed in 2007. In 2010, Nassau County purchased the property and in April 2011 it reopened to the public.

On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Crossroads welcomes the public with a day of activities and demonstrations including:

Farm tours with education director Leonore Russell, lead farmer Bill Walsh and the farm crew 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30

Beekeeping tours with biodynamic beekeeper Dr. Pennie Schwartz 12:30, 2:30

Gardening Q&A with master gardener Roellyn Armstrong noon

Vegetable gardening Q&A with assistant field manager Elizabeth Schaefer 1:30

Farm animal petting zoo with Lakewood Stables all day long

Bedding plants and flowers will be on sale, but it’s still too early for much Malverne-grown produce. However, the farm will be hosting a “made-on-Long Island” market featuring 12 Long local bakers and artisans including Long Island’s own itinerant cheesemonger, Mark Cassin (aka The Big Cheese).

Also for sale: shares in the farm’s own CSA, or community supported agriculture.

In the case of rain, the celebration will be Sunday, April 22. Check the farm’s Facebook page for updates and future events.

From now until Memorial Day, the farm will be open on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. From Memorial Day through November, weekend hours will stay the same but it will be open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Crossroads Farm at Grossmann's is at 480 Hempstead Ave., Malverne, 516-881-7900.

Seedlings poke through the dirt in the greenhouse at Crossroads Farm in Malverne.