What began as a simple backyard garden has grown into a heartfelt community story in Center Moriches, thanks to 14-year-old Matt Gartelman, founder of Born Again Farm and its popular farm stand across from Kaler’s Pond on Main Street.
Matt moved with his family to their two-acre property in 2022, a former one-horse farm where he and his father planted side-by-side gardens. His father’s failed, but Matt’s flourished—so much so that the then-11-year-old asked his parents if he could set up a produce table at the end of the driveway. By the following year, he was selling vegetables, honey, and small-batch items on a single white table to neighbors who kept coming back.
With leftover lumber from a home renovation, Matt built a mobile farm stand, which caught the attention of Bert Seides from the Ketcham Inn Foundation, who invited him to set up during last year’s holiday season at their historic Book Barn. The partnership eventually led Matt to a barn space on the historic Smith duck farm property next to Terrell River.
Born Again Farm takes its name from Matt’s Christian faith, and he says the mission is twofold: “to teach and inspire children and families about farming, and to spread the love of Jesus to everyone who walks through the door.” He stresses that it’s not about profit. “If people leave with smiles, that’s what matters.”
The entire venture is powered by family—parents, siblings, cousins, grandparents—all helping maintain what Matt describes as a “hobby farm” he doesn’t plan to expand. His Greek heritage also plays a role: the stand features honey and olive oil products harvested from the family’s farm in Greece, items he says have become customer favorites.
Matt, who attends Liberty University Online Academy, hopes one day to pursue a degree in ministry and eventually earn a Master of Divinity. Farming isn’t his long-term career plan, but he says the stand helps support his future—and his calling.
Born Again Farm Stand remains open through Christmas and will reopen in April for the spring season.