15 Urban Farms and Gardens Bringing Fresh Produce and Food Education to New Yorkers
Rabbit’s Garden: The farm is located in the center of the Staten Island Urby Apartment building and utilizes bio-dynamic and bio-intensive practices to grow produce and provide a communal area to local residents.
By Lily Zaballos
NYC Food Policy
Dec 9, 2020
Excerpt:
When you think of local food in New York City you may picture food grown upstate in the Hudson Valley or in the tri-state area, but thousands of pounds of produce are produced each year right in NYC’s five boroughs. These urban farms and gardens are using a variety of hydroponics, aquaponics, green houses, rooftop farming, and regenerative agricultural practices to bring fresh produce to New Yorkers while also providing educational programming, workshops, and events for NYC residents young and old.
Oko Farms
Mission: “Practice and promote aquaponics as a sustainable farming method that mitigates the impact of climate change, and increases food security for New York City. Spread the knowledge and skills required to practice aquaponics farming by educating children and adults of all racial and socio-economic backgrounds.”
Location: 104 Moore Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206.
Size: 0.06 acres
Category: Educational, Community Program
What they produce: Vegetables and fish
Whom they serve: The Bushwick community, individuals interested in aquaponics.
Onsite programs: Aquaponics training, virtual workshops and events.
Founded: 2013
Director: Yemi Amu
Profit or Nonprofit: Nonprofit
Interesting fact: The farm uses an aquaponic system to raise freshwater fish and vegetables, making it NYC’s first outdoor, publicly accessible aquatic farm.
