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BK Farmyards: Developing a 1-Acre Youth Farm – achieves funding goal
NEW YORK
Associated Press
February 28, 2010
NEW YORK – Students at one Brooklyn high school won't learn about farming from textbooks in the near future. They'll learn directly from the soil. Students at the High School for Public Service in East Flatbush plan to break ground in April on a 10,000-square-foot vegetable farm on their campus' front lawn. The first crop of vegetables could be harvested in June.
Principal Ben Shuldiner says the goal is to teach the skills and science behind farming. Fresh produce will also be offered to the community. Senior Elliot Bowman says it's difficult to find fresh produce in the neighborhood.
Urban farming collective BK Farmyards will design and operate the farm, which is expected to cover the school's entire 1-acre yard in four years.
BK Farmyards: Developing a 1-Acre Youth Farm
About this project:
Food. We love it and can't live without it. It keeps us happy, healthy, and smart. We're making local, organic food available to everyone, one yard at a time. And we need your help to keep the dream alive.
We are starting a Youth Farm in Partnership with the High School for Public Service in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The students are required to do 200 hours of public service before graduation, but on average, they do 700 hours! They are focusing their attention on health and nutrition in the community, and they are ready to get their hands dirty.
We will develop the 1-acre farm over the course of the next four years incorporating farming into the science, health, art, and media classes. We will have a summer youth employment program which will provide summer jobs for the students as well as after-school volunteer programs. In the first year, we will provide fresh affordable produce to 20 families in the community for 16 weeks, and by year 5, we will be providing produce for 80 families. This farm will be one of the only fresh food sources in the neighborhood. You can come celebrate with us at our spring and fall harvest festivals when we close down Kingston Avenue for a block party!
Our farmers are the most essential ingredient for the success of our farms. Because of them, we can maximize production, and teach the students valuable lessons about food and the environment. With your kickstarter pledges, we can secure farmers for the planning of this growing season and the development of a Youth Farm that empowers the students to become leaders in their community. This is truly the gift that keeps on giving; once in place, the farmyard will continue to thrive for years.
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