02/16/2022
https://www.farmschoolnyc.org/
Black History Month
At Farm School NYC, we believe that Black people’s experiences and voices should be highlighted, valued, and uplifted everyday. We also recognize the significance of Black History Month and its origins. We hope this month serves as a reminder to continue the work of researching and celebrating stories of Black people and culture.
Citywide Program Updates
Students have completed our Food Justice course. On the last day, they gathered at Hattie Carthan Community Garden to discuss and analyze the impacts of community food organizing on the neighborhood.
Now midway through Botany, students are led by Ruby and Gaby, land stewards and former FSNYC students excited to share their wisdom. Students have begun to balance the western and indigenous knowledge associated with plants and naming.
Free High Tunnel!
Community farms, gardens, and other grassroots growing spaces can now apply to receive a high tunnel from Farm School NYC thanks to our sponsor, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Please read more and apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkNQnsZq8WqSLy2a9L1gutkzaW3SqJ_hTT9yHVdAfyfY3WHg/viewform
Sites in the five boroughs are eligible. This project aims to increase the number and maximize the usage of high tunnels in NYC farms and gardens, particularly in spaces led by and serving Black and Latinx communities and limited resource farmers. Contact claudia@farmschoolnyc.org with any questions.
Community Corner
GreenThumb GrowTogether
The 38th Annual GrowTogether is here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/38th-annual-greenthumb-growtogether-conference-part-i-virtual-tickets-234264741147! This year’s conference will be hybrid, spread out over the course of two months. Part I is virtual, from February 19-25, and Part 2 will be in community gardens around the city in April.
Join Farm School NYC on Thursday, February 24 for the “Highs and Lows of High and Low Tunnels” with a special presentation of “Chase Away Winter Blues by Growing Greens” immediately after. All sessions will be offered with live Spanish language interpretation.
Agricultural Justice Project
The Agricultural Justice Project (AJP) is able to provide farmers in New York with free technical assistance with employment practices!
If you’d like to participate, simply take a 30-minute self-assessment survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D9R9QL9), share existing employment policy documents, and they will provide individualized suggestions and resources tailored to your needs.
Participation is confidential. For more information, or to sign up see the full details of the program on the AJP website: https://www.agriculturaljusticeproject.org/en/certification/?pane=assistance
Soil Storytelling
Join us for a virtual evening of story sharing about your experience as land-stewards, growers, gardeners, and farmers as a BIPOC grower or farmer in New York State.
During this event you will have the opportunity to workshop and share a personal story in a majority BIPOC space, gain skills to help you craft stories that can be used in legislative testimony, and learn how your narrative can shape the future of NY State and Federal policy.
This event will be hosted on Zoom February 24th, 2022, from 6- 7:30pm.
Register Here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0pde-hqD4vE9FYxFIu_VP4FyC7vF2G2Xd4!
Flavor & Funding for Farm School NYC
Loisa is a NYC-based small business that chooses an organization to donate 2% of their proceeds to each month. For Black History Month, Farm School NYC was chosen as the recipient! Check out the Loisa website and read the FSNYC feature: https://loisa.com/blogs/comida-real/2-for-farm-school-nyc.
They have an assortment of spices including organic versions of the most famous Latin seasoning pair – Sazón y Adobo.
Shop here to support: https://loisa.com/collections!
Zooming Out
“Community gardens are more than landscaping amenities; they’re significant vehicles for community development, sustainability, and productivity in a way that is self-determining.”- Raymond Figueroa, Jr. Bronx-based community organizer and president of the New York City Community Garden Coalition: https://nyccgc.org/.
This community garden coalition is helping people designate and protect their gardens by using CEA’s (Critical Environmental Areas)https://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6184.html.
Learn more about the work being done to protect gardens in the Bronx here: https://civileats.com/2022/02/07/nyc-community-gardeners-might-have-new-protection-in-the-fight-against-development/.
Jobs and Opportunities
Sweet Freedom Farm – Two Farmer Positions: https://www.sweetfreedomfarm.org/jobs
Go! Gardens – Garden Coordinator: https://www.goodfoodjobs.com/jobs/150209/garden-coordinator.html
Brooklyn Grange – Several Positions: https://www.brooklyngrangefarm.com/jobs
Black Farmer Fund – People and Culture: https://www.blackfarmerfund.org/careers?rq=caree
Seed Money- Community Garden Grant: https://seedmoney.submittable.com/submit/215923/arnold-brownberry-oroweat-organic-spring-planting-grant-2022?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5000_community_garden_grants_available_in_20_us_cities&utm_term=2022-02-12