East New York

In 2006 East New York Farms!,with support from Green Thumb and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), was provided land to start a community garden and increase green space and local food production in the neighborhood. We joined with community residents to establish a new urban farm on this abandoned lot and founded "Hands and Heart Garden" with the mission to "enrich the community through education and urban farming". Now, over 28 gardeners are committed to growing food there for market and building relationships with each other and their neighbors. Through volunteer energy it was turned into a vibrant garden where are growing food—like they did growing up in the Caribbean, West Africa, Bangladesh and the South—and bringing our community together.

"Our first hive, operated in partnership with Just Food, produced 100lbs in 2005 and continues to serve as a training and demonstration hive for aspiring beekeepers though out the neighborhood. East New York Farms! now works with 6 new neighborhood beekeeping enthusiasts who hope to produce honey and other value-added bee products for themselves and to sell at the farmers market."

"The mission of the East New York Farms Project is to organize youth and adults to address food justice in our community by promoting local sustainable agriculture and community-led economic development."

East New York Farms!
United Community Centers
613 New Lots Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11207
718-649-7979
http://www.eastnewyorkfarms.org