East New York Farms!

History

We have been working with youth, gardeners, farmers, and entrepreneurs to build a more just and sustainable community since 1998. Together, we are GROWING FOOD, NURTURING LEADERS, and CULTIVATING COMMUNITY in East New York.

For in-depth history of how East New York Farms! developed from 1995-2011, read our Retrospective Case Study. Check the description for a link to a downloadable pdf format.

East New York is a diverse and economically disadvantaged community in the eastern part of Brooklyn. Decades of urban decline and neglect left our community with a huge number of vacant lots, a lack of businesses and services for our large population (nearly 180,000 residents), and a reputation for violent crime and poverty.

In 1995, the Pratt Institute Center for Community and Environmental Development (PICCED) worked with local organizations to initiate a series of community opinion forums. They asked residents to identify both needs and existing resources in East New York. Needs they mentioned included more safe public spaces and green spaces, more retail convenience – especially fresh food – and better opportunities for youth. On the resources side, people mentioned our abundance of community gardens – over 65 in fact, more than any other neighborhood in New York City. They also mentioned the gardeners themselves, residents who had the vision and energy to turn these vacant lots into vibrant gardens. And they mentioned the youth, over one-third of the population our community, and the potential they held.

Through a coalition of local organizations (UCC, the Local Development Corporation of East NY, Genesis Homes) and city-wide organizations (PICCED and Cornell University Cooperative Extension) and residents, The East New York Farms! Project came together as a way to use and further develop these resources to meet our needs. Working with youth interns and adult gardeners to increase organic food production in community gardens, we were able to start a small farmers market (just two gardeners during our first season in 1998) that has grown over the years into a thriving destination including dozens of gardeners and local entrepreneurs of many backgrounds, as well as upstate farmers, bringing fresh affordable food to over 17,000 customers each year.