Silver Heights Farm

Preserving the past—one seed at a time

By SANDY LONG

COCHECTON CENTER, NY — There’s one tomato variety that gardeners can only get at Silver Heights Farm. “Uncle Rocco’s Stuffer” was developed by the uncle of Adrianne Picciano, who is employed at the farm. If that’s not the one you’re looking for, there are 250 more to choose from. All are certified organic and open pollinated. That’s because owner Trina Pilonero believes in preserving plant varieties through the practice of seed-saving while conserving natural resources like good soil and clean water.

Pilonero became interested in organic growing after taking a master gardener’s class, where she first met instructor and organic farmer John Gorzynski. “When I saw how beautifully the plants performed and how sustainable the approach was, I decided to move in this direction,” said Pilonero. “I wanted to do something that was good for the land and good for people.”

Unlike corporate seed manufacturers, who develop hybrid varieties that cannot be reproduced in order to achieve maximum profitability, Pilonero focuses on open-pollinated varieties whose seed can be saved and shared to produce a consistent result in ensuing years. According to Pilonero, the corporate practice creates a dependence on the corporation and results in the loss of genetic diversity. “These are financial decisions that benefit corporations, not the world,” said Pilonero. “Food should be owned by everyone—and shared.”

In addition to being selected for their unique or unusual qualities, plants are chosen for their ability to perform well in the Catskills, according to Pilonero. As such, tomatillos, ground cherry, sunberry, cucumber, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, mizuna, kale, spinach, chard, Tat Soi, arugula, Chinese mallow, Hopi Red Dye Amaranth and alpine strawberries tempt shoppers who venture into the steamy greenhouses.

Enhancing the experience are the delightful plant names, which are whimsical and imaginative. Pick a peck of poetically named pepper plants like Satan’s Kiss, Hinkelhatz Chicken Heart, Tangerine Pimiento, Yellow Mushroom, Peter Pepper or Peach Habanero. Imagine a garden bulging with melons such as Collective Farm Woman, Minnesota Midget, Charanteis, Green Machine or Blacktail Mountain watermelon. Become enchanted by eggplants with enticing monikers like Applegreen, India Paint, Ping Tung Long, Pandora Striped Rose, Red Ruffled and Ukranian beauty.

As if this weren’t enough, there are still the tomatoes to tango with: Elfin, Mexico Midget, Weeping Charley, Hillbilly, White Currant, Black Zebra, Bison, Southern Night, Beam’s Yellow Pear, Sausalito Cocktail, Snow White, Marianna’s Peace, Dorothy’s Green and Dixie Golden.

The farm’s unique mix of certified organic, heirloom and unusual plants has caught the attention of growers throughout the region. According to Pilonero, the farm has developed a loyal following, with customers returning on an annual basis to purchase old favorites and to experiment with something new. “I’m really interested in promoting local and regional trade,” said Pilonero, who sells her plants at the farm’s greenhouses, which share space at the Gorzynski Farm on Route 52 in Cochecton Center, and at the Callicoon Farmers Market on Sundays. Regionally, Pilonero sells at New York City’s Union Square on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Silver Heights Farm produces a catalog—not for the purpose of mail order, which is not offered by the nursery—but to inspire gardeners and awaken their imaginations. Pilonero describes the pleasurable publication as perfect for “winter dreaming and summer reading,” and has devoted an instructional page in the catalog to teaching the practice of seed saving. “It’s the cultural part of agriculture,” said Pilonero.

The “Safe Seed Pledge” that appears in the farm’s catalog promises, “For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners and consumers who want an alternative, we pledge that we do not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants... More research and testing is necessary to further assess the potential risks of genetically engineered seeds. Further, we wish to support agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems and ultimately people and communities.”

For more information, contact nursery@silverheightsfarm.com or call 845/482-3608.