Name: Queens County Farm Museum
What they do: The Queens County Farm Museum is a New York City Landmark that dates back to 1697 and is one of the oldest continuously farmed sites in New York State. It occupies New York City’s largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland and now has a museum where visitors can learn about the historic use of the area. This 47-acre site includes historic farm buildings, a greenhouse, livestock, farm vehicles and implements, planting fields, an orchard, and an herb garden.The space is used to connect visitors with agriculture in the midst of urban life.
How they do it: The farm is owned by the New York City Department of Parks and is run by the Colonial Farmhouse Restoration Society of Bellrose.
Core Programs: The farm’s Agriculture Department operates several key programs.
- The Queens Farm offers an Agriculture Workforce Development for individuals interested in getting involved in farming. The program focuses on horticulture, agriculture, livestock, sustainability and the fiber arts while fast tracking the success of young professionals in farming.
- There is also a farmstand open from the spring through the fall for community members to purchase seasonal produce grown and harvested directly on the farm. In addition to the farmstand, the Queens Farms has a compost drop off program. They accept residential compost from the surrounding area and use it on their own farm.
- The Queens Farm has 200 different varieties of crops on their growing fields and strongly focuses on annual vegetables. They practice regenerative farming here and focus on bettering the land after its use.
- The Queens Farm has the single largest apiary in New York City which houses more than 2 million honey bees. This follows a 40 year long history of beekeeping at the Queens Farm. These hives are currently on display at the farm.
- From June to October, the Queens Farm offers a Flower CSA for members to pick up fresh grown flowers from their fields.
Interesting fact about how it is working to positively affect the food system and current campaign: Apart from the farm’s large number of opportunities to engage with and learn about sustainability and agriculture, the farm also operates two teaching gardens. The first is available for children to familiarize them with the beginnings of gardening. The second garden is connected to a kitchen which teaches people the medicinal properties of different herbs and plant varieties. Both are available learning resources for visitors of the farm.
FACT SHEET:
Location: 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy, Queens, NY 11004
Areas served: Queens
Year Started: 1697
Contact Information: info@queensfarm.org; 718.347.3276
Instagram: @queensfarm
Facebook: https://fb.me/queenscountyfarmmuseum
Tiktok: @queensfarm_
