King Farm| HSPS & Youth Farmer Praised in "City Limits"|Farm Archive

Photo by means of Taleen Dersdepanian

examine the complete article HERE

King Farm| Free Workshop this Saturday October 6th|Farm Archive

Growing lots of tasty veggies is predicated on sustainable practices 12 months-spherical. Farmer Molly will lead this palms-on workshop, and could assessment the way to put together your beds within the fall the use of minimum cultivation and compost, as well as cover vegetation. These techniques will assist improve your soil and defend it over the iciness months.

Saturday October sixth, 2:00 - three:30 pm

Join us at 10am to volunteer at the Farm, and then stay for a free fingers on workshop.

600 Kingston Ave, between Winthrop and Rultand. Take the 2/5 to Winthrop and walk 3 blocks east.

King Farm| FARM UPDATES: Fall and paving the way for more school garden...|Farm Archive

Here is an excerpt from our weekly publication,

The cold weather is moving in and the farm is transitioning into a new phase. Farming is a cycle process with constants that change in their actions but not in spirit; we are constantly focused on caring for the short term and long term health of our soil and our community and do so with many different successions of plants and farm work. Though we are still harvesting tomatoes and can feel the suns rays on our skin and remember the intense heat of the summer, we are thinking forward to our harvest next season and nurturing our soil by planting cover crops and careful cultivation.

We are slowly casting off plants which might be beyond their top, so we can get good boom on our area peas, vetch, oats, rye and clover earlier than its too cold. These are special vegetation we grow for the soil, not to eat. We plant these vegetation inside the fall so that they maintain the soil within the beds, stopping it from washing away. Cover plants additionally upload nutrients to the soil through taking nitrogen from the surroundings and storing it in the soil, legumes do it themselves with the help of rhizobial bacteria, and the relaxation add nitrogen while we till them into the soil to break down within the spring. Cover crops also help to interrupt up hard soils, their roots grow deep into the soil and create space for oxygen and drainage.

We will keep growing plant life and convey into the bloodless months each in our hoop residence and outside. Take a glance in our bloodless frames, mini greenhouses, to see the style of greens and root plants sprout up. You may also see increasingly more white blankets, referred to as row covers, overlaying beds. Both the row covers and cold frames provide a bit extra refuge to the vegetation, maintaining them warmer, and shielding them from mild frosts. Check out Harriet the Hoop House too, she has some new beds prepped and planted. Last year we were harvesting proper as much as new yr, and wish to this year as well.

We are still in negotiations with the DOE on our contract, and unfortunately are still not able to distribute our produce. We are very happy to be establishing standards for soil quality and non-profit partnerships that will benefit many school gardens in the future. The lack of sales however has greatly hurt the financial health of the farm. We depend on the sale of produce and flowers to run our programs. We are now forced to start cutting back programs and staff. We hope to be able to distribute again soon, but know that even then we will not be able to make up for the loss.

Bk farmyards is holding an amazing fundraiser on October 25^th, which we hope will provide some fund to allow us to continue operating. The event Meet your Maker: Crops& Hops, will be a celebration of local foods with sample pairings of food prepared by some of Brooklyn's best chefs and beer from NY’s best breweries. Tickets are available for a 6:30 & a 8:30 seating HERE. Hope to see you there!

King Farm| BRING US YOUR LEAVES|Farm Archive

Drop off your bags of leaves at our weekly

Farmers Market

Wednesdays 2:30-6:30

October 17th, 24th & 31st

600 Kingston Ave between Rutland and Winthrop

We will turn your leaves into rich compost and seedling mix to keep our farm growing and our communities bellies full. Leaves work as a great carbon source for our compost bins: Mixed with some weeds and veggie scraps, water and a little compost we can make black gold. Leaves broken down themselves makes a great alternative to peat for seedling mix. WE LOVE THEM!

King Farm| New York Times|Farm Archive

Take a look at out the Youth Farm in the Recent New York Times article

In the Book Bag, More Garden Tools

ByLISA W. FODERARO Published: November 23, 2012

Excerpt:

Green roofs and gardens aren't for simplest elementary faculties, but. In Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the High School for Public Service has a one-acre farm, that is now in its 1/3 season. The farm takes middle level in a route about the country?S food machine. Students also oversee a farmers? Market and offer cooking demonstrations.

King Farm| Setting Standards with the DOE|Farm Archive

Historic Moment for NYC School Gardens and Farms: The Youth Farm Requests Your Support

Since early September the Youth Farm has been unable to distribute, sell, or consume the nutritious produce we grow on our one-acre site. The Department of Education (DOE) decided to work closely with our team to set soil safety standards for NYC school farms & gardens. Together with Cornell Extensions, Cornell Soil Department of Crop & Soil Science, the NY Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture & Markets, Grow to Learn (Grow NYC & Green Thumb) and ATC Lab, we have set the standards! Though our soil has been deemed safe, we continue to eagerly await the finalized standards to go into effect for us to re-open our farmers market and distribute our amazing produce to our committed CSA members.

While this is an amazing moment in school garden history as we are piloting standards for all of NYC, we rely on the income from our farmers market to run our educational programs. So, we are asking for your support in this historic moment that will pave the way for all future NYC school farms and gardens. Our Farm Club is currently frustrated that their cooking programs have ended; our Go Green class has not been allowed to taste anything from the farm during the peak season for tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and more; and our community is frustrated when they see so much fresh food going to waste when there is so little fresh, organic, affordable food available in the neighborhood.

Currently we are the only school farm or garden that the DOE has requested to stop sales of produce, and we're hoping that our work will ensure others do not have to stop their work as well. WHEN YOU SUPPORT US TODAY, YOU ARE SUPPORTING ALL EXISTING AND FUTURE SCHOOL FARMS AND GARDENS WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THESE NEW STANDARDS.

 Let's get more Brooklyn kids hands in the dirt! DONATE NOW!

The Youth Farm is a production oriented educational farm in central Brooklyn that offers the NYC community of all ages with opportunities to increase their knowledge of the food system and to build high level organic growing skills to share with their communities. The Youth Farm grows organic food and flowers on one acre and sells them to the community and beyond, and provides advanced farm training and leadership opportunities for youth and adults.

The Youth farm is designed for experiential educational programs and career training in sustainable agriculture: we have a range of youth programs for students at the High School for Public Service, and also host classes from around the city for hands-on tours and specialized workshops to help teachers teach various units. We provide a space for our community members to get their hands in the dirt and bring their rich agricultural knowledge. Our Adult Farm Training program is an intensive part-time program for individuals who are looking to immerse themselves in farming.

King Farm| WINTERSHIPS|Farm Archive

We at the moment are accepting programs for our 2012 Winterships!

Wintership participants will learn about sustainable horticulture, urban farm management and youth education though helping farm staff with on farm fall and winter tasks, some data entry and outreach. Interns will assist with daily farm work which can include, composting, seed sowing and transplanting, season extension, hoop house maintenance, sign painting, carpentry, harvesting, irrigation, data entry & assessment, community outreach and more!

• Hours: minimum of 4 hours per week
• Time: Tuesdays 11am – 2pm, Wednesdays 10-2 pm or Thursdays 9am-1pm
•  Commitment:  November 2012 through March 2012.
• Shorter internship available for special circumstances, but must be able to commit for at least 10 weeks.

The program is designed to be educational and fun, and provide a solid mentorship to those interested in working in urban or rural sustainable agriculture, as well as those who want to volunteer and get their hands dirty helping our community.

Minimum Qualifications

Willingness to work in all weather conditions

Self-motivated, independent and able to work within a fluid environment

Bring positive energy to the work

Highly dependable and punctual

Basic computer skills

Experience with horticulture, youth education, community organizing a plus

To apply, or to find out more information please email Tanzania (at) bkfarmyards (dot) com