In the fifth and final post of our Farm Series, we highlight farms with a twist: bee farms. These three apiaries are home to hundreds of thousands of tiny residents, helping to pollinate NYC’s flourishing urban agriculture movement. These farms are not open to the public.
Location: More than 30 hives are located on multiple rooftops throughout the city
Founded: In 2012, by Brooklyn Grange, which has two other rooftop farms—in Long Island City and the Brooklyn Navy Yard (featured in the fourth post in our Farm Series)
One of the many reasons they’re amazing: They support bees and future beekeepers, hosting a season-long beekeeping training program
What’s produced: Honey
Amount produced annually: Several hundred pounds
Where to find their products: At their weekly farm-stands: Long Island City rooftop farm (Saturdays from 11am-4pm; May-Oct) and McGolrick Park in Greenpoint (Sundays from 11am-4pm; May-Nov), and customized honey jars are available for weddings or special events by contacting info@brooklyngrangefarm.com
Rooftop Garden at Waldorf Astoria New York
Location: 301 Park Avenue, New York, NY (Midtown East)
Founded: 2012
One of the many reasons they’re amazing: They provide a safe home to 360,000 European honeybees each year
What’s produced: Honey, herbs, produce, and other plants
Amount produced annually: 400 pounds of honey; they don’t weigh the produce, but have 40 varieties of plants and the herb production tends to be heaviest
Where to find their products: The honey is used in seasonal ale (Waldorf Buzz), spa treatments, specialty cocktails, and desserts; the produce is used by the hotel kitchen
Whitney Museum of American Art Rooftop Beehive
Location: 99 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY (Meatpacking District)
Founded: In 2010, soon after beekeeping became legal in NYC
One of the many reasons they’re amazing: This little apiary has produced award-winning honey, taking first place in the Waldorf Astoria’s “Battle of the Bees” contest in 2015
What’s produced: Honey
Amount produced annually: Varies from season to season, from 70 to 200 pounds
Where to find their products: At the museum’s gift shop
Photo credit: Lauren Lindstrom
