New York: A look at the city’s new office of urban agriculture
The office aims to bring increase the accessibility and production of locally grown healthy food options.
By Kelly Mena
Ny1
May 05, 2023
Excerpt:
Few people know about the new office and less are probably aware of its purpose.
But Qiana Mickie, the executive director, is hoping to change that.
“What I am trying to do is lead the city’s efforts on increasing access to and the production of locally fresh food,” Mickie said about her role.
She added that her responsibility includes helping “increase awareness of and the power and potential of urban agriculture and the opportunity for equity in all our five boroughs.”
Mickie was first appointed back in Sept. 20-22 and works closely with community gardens and farms.
A half acre section of the Grand Concourse section of the South Bronx lies one of those urban farms—New Roots Community Farm.
The land is managed by a trio of residents who work the plot year around.
The stewards of the land say that over the years, their farming practices have been at the mercy of the climate. But every now and again, they attempt to grow something unique.
