Farm Training Collective Nyc

General Programs: Farm School NYC offers an urban agriculture education program rooted in food justice and social justice. The Citywide Program is a one year urban agriculture training program grounded in food justice. This program is rooted in New York City on Lenape land and utilizes a multi-dimensional, hands-on approach that centers BIPOC land traditions and community building. The program begins with a foundation in popular education, botany, and food justice, before immersing in courses that follow the flow of a growing season. This year-long program is the bulk of our recurring programming , offered in-person at partner sites, and online:Training of Trainers (December 2021): This dynamic course explored popular education methods, emphasizing the concepts of learner-centered teaching, and hands-on, participatory learning. Students explored various styles of learning, and practiced planning, designing and leading an effective workshop.Food Justice + Summer, Fall, and Winter Gatherings (January, June, October, December 2022): With NYC as the stage, this course provided an overview of food politics, food justice issues and approaches. This course looked at economic, political and social disparities, and the innovative people and projects working to overcome them. This course included an intensive weekend Undoing Racism training, giving students a food justice foundation to build on in their food movement work. Botany (February 2022): Study the plant body and the main component parts of the plants we eat: roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruit. This course will better prepare students for Propagation, Growing Soil, Plant Health and Crop Management.Propagation (March 2022): This course covers the basic aspects of plant propagation and best practices for raising healthy seedlings from seed to transplant, including: plant reproduction, the use and management of propagation tools such as greenhouses and hoop houses (managing microclimates, pests and diseases, and record keeping), creating and using propagation media such as soil mixes and common containers, and proper watering techniques for different types of seedlings and stages of growth. Growing Soil (April 2022): Essential to growing healthy plants is growing healthy soil. This course covers everything from basic soil science, soil remediation and the current state of NYC soils to soil fertility, proper irrigation and cultivation, and compost (biology and system construction).Carpentry and Building Intro (May 2022): Students learned carpentry basics: reading and drawing building designs relevant to urban agriculture (raised beds, compost bins, chicken coops, cold frames, greenhouses and hoop houses, rainwater harvest systems). Outdoor classes covered tool safety and maintenance as well as provide hands-on building experience. Learning the Land (June 2022): This course provided an overview of the forces which shape our ecosystem, both natural and man-made. We will discuss geology, hydrology, vegetation patterns, wildlife, Native American history, and disturbance. Students will leave the course with an understanding of how to apply these concepts in an agricultural setting.Irrigation (July 2022): Within the context of NYCs watershed, this course covered the role of irrigation in farm systems, types of irrigation, how to set up these systems and where to source equipment.Crop Management (August 2022): This course explored the best crops for NYCs climate, weed management, succession planning and planting, inter-planting, harvesting and post-harvest handling techniques, review of common crop plant families and their specific needs. Preparing for Winter (September 2022): This course covered seed saving, garlic planting and varieties, garden clean-up and tool storage, cover-cropping basics (varieties, sowing methods and planting calendar) as well as food preservation techniques.Small Farm Planning and Design (October 2022): This course examined the essential elements of designing small to mid scale scale growing spaces. Learn practical record keeping for urban farms and gardens, business planning 101, beginner marketing concepts and spatial design. Utilize the theory and practice of asset-based community mapping to turn your dream into a reality. Farm School NYC offered additional courses for the general public in 2022, including:Facilitation: (July 2022) Through practical application and classroom time, students gained skills in lesson and curriculum planning for a wide range of audiences. Participants learned about existing garden and food justice education curricula and how they can be integrated with public education state standards. Community Food Arts: (August 2022) In this advanced course, students learned about processing food through canning, pickling, drying, fermenting, and freezing. Students will learn about food science, NYS health and food safety standards, and relevant licensing. Students developed their own market-ready value added products.High Tunnel Basics: (October 2022) This course reviewed high tunnels (sometimes called hoop houses) and their many uses, values, and styles. It included how to plan for choosing a site, construction, and basic maintenance of a high tunnel in harmony with the urban setting. Enterprise: (November 2022) Students learned the fundamentals of business planning, development and management of enterprises in a local food system. Students will be prepared to identify opportunities and develop and implement sustainable models for local food production, processing and/or distribution for economic and/or social benefit. Students will gain skills in development of CSA, farmers markets, farm to school and farm to restaurant models and the regulations that accompany such trade.

BDC Urban Farm:The BDC Redevelopment Project in the Spring Creek section of East New York, Brooklyn will be a new 28-acre affordable housing community centered on health and wellness forged by Riseboro Community Partnership, APEX building company, L+M Development partners, and Services for the Underserved (the development team). In 2022, Farm School NYC and Riseboros Our Food team completed a final review process of an urban farm integral to this new community. With the help of Hartford Farm Cooperative, 2022 saw the presentation of a community engagement process report, a feasibility study assessment and financial feasibility study for the newly titled Alafia Urban Farm. This multi-year partnership would result in East New Yorks largest urban farm. The Alafia Urban Farm is well-positioned in community infrastructure and interest to yield the best of urban agriculture's transformative potential with the support of Farm School NYC and the Riseboro Community Partnership.

Black Farmers United:In 2022, Farm School NYC continues to serve as the fiscal sponsor of Black Farmers United NYS (BFU-NYS), a group of more than 100 Black farmers, educators, and food justice advocates from across the state. Without serious investment and intervention, Black farmers in New York State will be marginalized out of existence. BFU-NYS aims to protect the legacy and ensure the future of Black farmers. They hold the power to radically change how black communities control access to safe, healthy food and build collective wealth and health in New York State.