HPNAP Seed Grant for Urban Farming

Resource Guide 2015-2016

Did you know around 15% of the world’s food is grown in urban areas? Urban agriculture is on the rise across the country and even here in New York City. Our city is home to many urban farms operated by nonprofit community based organizations, as well as for profit organizations.

Check out the resources below to find out how your organization can start and sustain a food producing urban farm. Please contact Carla Anastasio (212-251-4117; ) or Stacey McCarthy (212-251-4060; ) if you have any questions about how to use this resource guide.

New York City Urban Farming Organizations: Sources for Consultants and Technical Assistance
Bronx Green-Up/The New York Botanical Garden
http://www.nybg.org/green_up/

718.817.8026
Brooklyn Queens Land Trust
www.bqlt.org/
718.963.7020
Cornell Cooperative Extension –
Urban Environment Program
http://nyc.cce.cornell.edu/UrbanEnvironment/Pages/default.aspx
Green Guerillas
www.greenguerillas.org

212.594.2155
Green Thumb
City of New York Parks & Recreation
www.greenthumbnyc.org
212.788.8070
Download The Gardener’s Handbook
http://www.greenthumbnyc.org/pdf/gardeners_handbook.pdf
GrowNYC
Council on the Environment of NYC
www.grownyc.org/openspace
The Horticultural Society of New York
http://www.hsny.org/
212.757.0915
Just Food
City Farms Project and Farm School NYC
www.justfood.org
212.645.9880 x224 / If you are new to urban farming, it is recommended that you contact one or more of these organizations to find out what type of services they provide.
Join their email mailing lists to stay up to date on New York City urban farming news.

They provide a variety of urban agricultural services and educational programs. They can provide technical assistance and serve as paid consultants to provide step by step assistance from crop selection to planting to harvesting during the grant year.
Farming and Gardening Resources and Information
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
http://tinyurl.com/http-afsic-nal-usda-gov-nal
Community Food Security Coalition’s Urban Agriculture Committee
www.foodsecurity.org/ua_home.html
Cornell Cooperative Extension Gardening Portal
www.gardening.cornell.edu
The Food Project
www.thefoodproject.org/food-project-toolbox
Free manuals on urban farming and youth oriented programs.
New York Restoration Project
http://www.nyrp.org
212.333.2552
Good land trust resource. See their timely, informative newsletter.
USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service
www.csrees.usda.gov/extension/index.html / These organizations provide great information and materials about urban farming, from new research and policy updates to various gardening and planting topics.
To learn more about what’s happening in New York City visit Five Borough Farm “Seeding the future of urban agriculture in NYC.”
http://www.fiveboroughfarm.org/
New York City Urban Farms
Bed Stuy Campaign Against Hunger
http://www.bedstuyagainsthunger.org/
The Bridge
http://thebridgeny.blogspot.com/2009/10/fall-has-fallen-on-bridge-urban-farms.html
Brooklyn Rescue Mission
http://brooklynrescuemission.org/default.aspx
Red Hook Community Farm, and Added Value's Farm at Governor's Island
http://www.added-value.org/
Eagle Street Rooftop Farm
http://rooftopfarms.org/
East New York Farms
www.eastnewyorkfarms.org
Queens County Farm Museum
http://www.queensfarm.org/programs.html / The 2014 growing season is going strong! Consider visiting one of New York City’s many urban farms to see how they grow vegetables for their communities. Contact them first to see if and when they are open to visitors.
Volunteers are welcome at Red Hook Community Farm in Brooklyn - May to November during the day on Fridays (9 to 1) and Saturdays (10 to 4).
http://www.added-value.org/volunteer
Land Identification
596 Acres
http://596acres.org
New York Restoration Project
http://www.nyrp.org
212.333.2552
Trust for Public Land
http://www.tpl.org
212.677.7171 / These organizations will help you identify public land available for farming.
Soil Testing Resources
Brooklyn College Environmental Sciences Analytical Center
http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/web/academics/centers/esac/services/soil.php Email:
Cornell Nutrient Analysis Laboratory
www.cnal.cals.cornell.edu

607.255.4540 / Before planting seeds, you need to find out if the soil is chemically viable for growing food safely.
These laboratories can assist you in finding out what is involved in soil testing. Keep in mind that local experts you may partner with are likely to be able to assist you with soil testing, as well.
New York City Food Systems Organizations
Brooklyn Food Coalition
http://brooklynfoodcoalition.ning.com/
Food Systems Network NYC
http://www.foodsystemsnyc.org/resources
Sustainable South Bronx
http://www.ssbx.org/
646.400.5430 / These local alliances and coalitions (whether neighborhood-specific or across New York City) can be an important source of information.

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