The area also has a rich history. Southolders claim the oldest English-speaking town in New York State. Southold celebrated its 350th anniversary in 1990. The North Fork of Long Island is an area of extraordinary beauty and resources. Farms are diverse and seem to be thriving.
Potatoes are a traditional crop and remain important.
Nursery operations are expanding. But the focus of agriculture has shifted and North Fork is seriously threatened by residential and commercial development spreading east from New York City. The North Fork is on the fringe of suburban sprawl and the effects have already been felt. Land values have soared and housing prices are high. Few young families can afford to settle there and the population is aging.