The benefits of urban farming – the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing food in, or around, a village, town or city – are staggering. Local farming provides a source of fresh, affordable produce that encourages healthy eating – helping to combat childhood and adult obesity, which is a problem in many underserved communities that typically lack access to locally-grown food supplies. In addition, urban farming supports more sustainable production of food – decreasing carbon footprinting and use of harmful pesticides, and reducing or eliminating the need for preservatives, as products do not need to travel long distances.
As a leader in seeking out and establishing both models and means for local sustainability within New York City communities, for many years New York Restoration Project (NYRP) has been an advocate and facilitator of urban farming – and the organization’s efforts in this area continue to expand. In all five of the city’s boroughs, NYRP community gardeners are cultivating vegetables, fruits and herbs – even tending egg-producing chickens – while contributing to the health, well-bring and vitality of surrounding neighborhoods through the ongoing development and stewardship of some of New York City’s most diverse and productive green spaces.
Urban farming is happening in a number of NYRP’s 55 community gardens. For example, in NYRP’s Rodale Pleasant Park Community Garden, located in East Harlem, a group of local residents raises high-yield crops including radishes, tomatoes, squash, cilantro and papalo – a popular Mexican herb.
In Brooklyn, NYRP’s Greene Acres Community Garden encompasses five lots of ornamental plantings and a wide variety of produce – including tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, peppers and squash – all of which greatly contribute to the revitalization of the surrounding area. Cultivated and enjoyed by a large, active group of local residents, Greene Acres features numerous innovations, including a rainwater collection system and community composting program.
At NYRP’s Seagirt Boulevard Community Garden in Queens, local residents harvest large amounts of tomatoes, peanuts, collard greens, peppers and corn each summer and fall to replenish their food supplies. At this site, NYRP also provides environmental education programming opportunities to local schoolchildren, instructing students on urban agriculture and how to grow their own food.
In the Bronx, NYRP’s Target Bronx Community Garden – home to NYRP’s annual Harvest Festival and long used by local gardeners to raise a variety of vegetables and fruit, including tomatoes, corn, pears and apples – re-opened in October 2009 after extensive renovations that focus on urban farming. New amenities include expanded planting beds, a patio and outdoor kitchen, perfect for gardening and cooking workshops and community events – including the Harvest Festival, which engages local families and students in celebrating the season and interacting with nature.
Finally, NYRP is preparing to develop its largest urban farm site at our Bathgate Garden, also in the Bronx – transforming a largely unutilized 16,000-square-foot space into the most innovative working urban farm in New York City. NYRP’s Bronx Urban Farm will be a center for NYRP educational activities and workshops, including organic farming, cooking demonstrations, healthy eating seminars and other activities designed to engage local residents, as well as community youth. The Bronx Urban Farm and planned, multi-season greenhouse will yield fruits and vegetables, year round, which will be sold to community residents and used by local restaurants – including NYRP’s New Leaf Restaurant and Bar – and will produce plants for NYRP’s community garden restoration and maintenance activities.