Today, Long Island is home to everything from some of New York City’s busiest airports to some of its trendiest neighborhoods. Once upon a time, though, Long Island was known for its duck farms. The Jurgielewicz family was one of the original duck farmers on the island, and while those times have passed, the family is still very much involved in the duck industry. Joe Jurgielewicz & Son Ltd., located in Shartlesville, Pa., is continuing four generations of family tradition in agriculture.
The family had, at one point, gotten out of the duck business, says Joey Jurgielewicz III. His grandfather had sold the business out to his brothers, but Joe II went to Cornell to become a veterinarian.