Developer drops plan for chicken-egg farm in Southold over opposition

After plans for a 6,000-chicken egg farm ruffled neighbors’ feathers in Southold, the owner said he plans to withdraw the proposal in favor of growing organic produce at the 16-acre property, according to town records.

Grant Callahan, of Old Westbury, first sought permission to build a 2,100-square-foot barn at his Ackerly Pond Lane property last fall. He intended to use the site for pasture-raised eggs using rotational grazing and other regenerative practices.

Residents who live on Jasmine Lane adjacent to the proposed barn had fiercely opposed the chicken farm, claiming the intensity of the operation would be akin to a factory farm that would bring manure odors, dust and rats to their neighborhood.

Callahan submitted a revised sketch of the barn removing references to storing chicken feed and supplies on Sept. 14. He still needs planning board approval for the barn, which would now be used to store farm equipment and other agricultural supplies. A new hearing is set for Oct. 5.

John Armentano, an attorney for Callahan from Farrell Fritz in Hauppauge, alerted the planning board to the change in a Sept. 3 letter.  He wrote that he opted to drop plans to raise chickens “after much thought and careful consideration” and in response to neighbors’ concerns.

In a statement, Callahan said he looked forward to starting an organic fruit and vegetable farm.

“Southold has an extraordinary agricultural history, and as a young farmer, I’m proud to have the opportunity to contribute to its next generation,” he said in the statement. “I believe people should know where their food comes from, how it was grown, and the practices that went into growing it. That’s the kind of farm I am building, one that people can know and trust, and that will be part of this community for many years to come.”

Southold is a “right to farm” community with protections in place for agricultural operations. The pending planning board decision is on the barn, not the type of agriculture proposed there. 

Neighbors stopped short of celebrating the change of plans.

John Reichert, who lives on a cul-de-sac next to the farm, called the shift a “ploy” in an interview on Tuesday.

“He wants everybody to calm down so he can wait a year or two and throw his chickens in there,” Reichert said.

Reichert said raising thousands of chickens next door would harm neighbors.

“If you put 6,000 chickens in there, we will have a guaranteed rat infestation,” he said. "The odor is going to be horrendous."

Reichert acknowledged that Southold is a “right to farm” community, but said residents should be protected.

“My neighbors have a right to enjoy fresh air,” he said.

He said he still has concerns about additional clearing that could be required to farm the land, which may affect wildlife.

Armentano acknowledged in his letter that switching plans from raising chickens to growing produce would require more tree clearing and land disturbance. The town posted a stop work order at the site in late June after construction activities began without final approval or a building permit.

Though Callahan purchased the property for $650,000 in 2025, Southold Town holds a development rights easement ensuring it can only be used for agriculture.