Red Hook Farms

Brooklyn, NY

Red Hook Farms, a youth-centered urban farming and food justice program in Red Hook, Brooklyn, operates as a project of Red Hook Initiative since November 2018. Their mission is to empower teens, foster community engagement, and promote environmental stewardship. The program includes a teen farm apprenticeship, weekly farm stands, a CSA, and school workshops. Since 2001, Red Hook Farms has been transforming vacant lots into productive urban farms, enhancing access to healthy produce, and nurturing future green leaders.

As part of the Red Hook Initiative, a community-based nonprofit serving over 5,000 Red Hook NYCHA residents annually, Red Hook Farms has become an integral part of the community. The Columbia Street Farm, formerly a concrete baseball field, spans 2.75 acres and serves as a vibrant production and compost site. Enriched with two feet of nutrient-rich compost, the farm employs organic farming practices to cultivate a diverse range of crops. The produce grown here supplies farm stands and CSA programs, contributing to the community's access to fresh, healthy food.

The Apprenticeship program at Red Hook Farms offers participants a hands-on learning experience in urban agriculture. Apprentices engage in various tasks such as planting, harvesting, composting, and maintaining the farm. They learn about sustainable farming practices and gain valuable skills in food production and community engagement. Through this program, apprentices contribute to the farm's mission of promoting food justice and environmental sustainability in Red Hook.