The Eagle Street rooftop farm in Brooklyn has a view of the Manhattan skyline.
Urban farms are sprouting up all over New York City. People use these farms to grow food. Because urban areas, or cities, have very little open land, urban farmers have to be creative. Some have built farms on rooftops. Others have started farms in empty lots or in parks.
Urban farms have many benefits. Growing food locally instead of shipping it from other places saves energy. Rooftop farms help keep buildings cool, reducing the need for air-conditioning. Urban farms make it easier for people in the city to get fresh food. They also help them feel more connected to where their food comes from. In addition, most urban farms are organic. This means that farmers do not use pesticides or other chemicals that can harm the environment.
New York City is home to the Brooklyn Grange, the largest rooftop farm in the United States. The farm covers about 40,000 square feet. It is located on top of a six-story warehouse in the borough of Queens. Brooklyn Grange uses a special lightweight soil that is made for rooftops. The farm grows tomatoes, peppers, beets, carrots, lettuce, beans, and many other vegetables.
Some urban farms in New York City use hydroponics, a kind of farming that does not require soil. Instead, crops are planted in water. The water has the minerals that the plants need to grow. Gotham Greens is a rooftop hydroponic greenhouse in the borough of Brooklyn. Its produce is sold at local farmers’ markets and grocery stores.
Urban farms can help the community in other ways, too. Added Value, another urban farm in Brooklyn, helps local teenagers learn about farming, develop new skills, and contribute to their community. The farm also has programs that teach elementary school students how to grow food responsibly.
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