By Lauren Lindstrom
Looking to get your hands in the dirt this summer or simply escape the concrete heat? No need to leave the boroughs of New York City! Take respite in the cool of the vegetable vines by visiting one of the city’s bountiful farms, which produce a delicious array of fresh, micro-local products—from rice to rutabagas. These farms bring endless benefits to city dwellers: increasing access to healthy foods, supporting neighborhood economies, contributing to the social cohesion of a community, teaching and training kids and adults alike about farming, food justice, and the environment, and so much more.
In the first of five posts, we highlight three nonprofit farms focusing on employing, training, and teaching youth farmers. All of these farms welcome visitors on designated days.
Location: 580 Columbia Street, Brooklyn (Red Hook)
Founded: In 2001 by Added Value, a youth-led urban farming and compost operation that hires and mentors youth to run two farms and a farmers market
One of the many reasons they’re amazing: They compost more than 200 tons of organic waste annually
What’s growing: Annual vegetables and perennial herbs, including greens, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, leeks, and root vegetables
Farm size: 2.75 acres
Amount produced annually: More than 20,000 pounds of produce from Added Value’s two farms combined (the second of which is highlighted later in our Farm Series)
Where to find their products: At their Saturday farmers’ market, through their sliding-scale CSA, and at local restaurants and partner organizations; they also donate to a local food pantry and distribute produce to their teen farm apprentices
When to visit: Open to the public during their weekly volunteer hours (Fridays from 9am-12pm and Saturdays from 10:30am-1pm) or Farmers’ Market (Saturdays from 10am-3pm from Jun 18-Nov 19)
Take the kids: They welcome school groups, teen programs, and summer camps; see their website for more information
Online: Follow Added Value on Facebook and Instagram
Location: 600 Kingston Avenue, Brooklyn (Prospect Lefferts Gardens)
Founded: In 2011, as a partnership between the High School for Public Service and BK Farmyards
One of the many reasons they’re amazing: The farm is an outdoor classroom and green job incubator, training youth and adults to increase their knowledge of farming and food justice, through the Summer Youth program, the Urban Farm Training Program, and other tours and workshops
Farm size: 1 acre
What’s growing: More than 80 varieties of flowers and 80+ varieties of vegetables, including callaloo, chili peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, tomatoes, bitter melon, kale, and collard greens
Amount produced annually: 10,000 pounds of vegetables and ~20,000 stems of cut flowers
Where to find their products: At their weekly farmers’ market and CSA, and at restaurants in Brooklyn, including Wilma Jean, Nightiengale 9, Buttermilk Channel, 61 Local, By Brooklyn, and GRDN; the food is also used in youth education classes
When to visit: Open to the public on scheduled volunteer days every first and third Saturday of the month from 10am-3pm (May-Nov) and during their Farmers Market every Wednesday from 2:30-6:30pm (Jun-Oct)
Take the kids: The farm welcomes scheduled class visits for preK-12th grade students; contact sawdayah@bkfarmyards.com to learn more
Online: Follow them on Facebook and Twitter
Location: 613 New Lots Avenue, Brooklyn (East New York)
Founded: In 2000, by East New York Farms to produce locally grown food and create an outdoor educational space in the neighborhood
One of the many reasons they’re amazing: Through East New York (ENY) Farm’s 9-month Internship Program, youth learn about sustainable farming techniques, health, leadership, community development, and social justice, and grow healthy, chemical-free food to sell at the farmers markets
Farm size: ½ acre
What’s growing: More than 70 varieties of vegetables, including cherry tomatoes, okra, long beans, cilantro, Swiss chard, and bitter melon
Amount produced annually: ~10,000 pounds of produce
Where to find their products: At the ENY Farmers Market held every Saturday from 9am-3pm (Jun-Nov) at New Lots & Schenck, and at the ENY Farm Stand every Wednesday from 3:30-6:30pm (Jul-Oct) at New Lots & Georgia
When to visit: Open to the public during open volunteer days from 10am-2pm on the first and third Saturdays of the month (Apr-Oct)
Take the kids: They conduct tours for more than 1000 visitors and volunteers every year from schools, colleges, and community groups from ENY and beyond; visit their website for more information
Online: Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
