First planned farm in Lower Manhattan, New York

Camilla Hammer, left, and Alexanna Ashley-Roth till the earth at their first planned farm in Lower Manhattan. Photo by Librado Romero/The New York Times.

A Farm Grows in the Battery – only one acre in size

By James Barron
New York Times
April 10, 2011

Exceprt:

The idea for an urban farm there originated with the environmental club at Millennium High School on Broad Street, a short walk from the park. The Battery Conservancy says that 650 students from 8 schools have now signed up to farm, and it is expanding the program to include community groups, Lower Manhattan residents, even people who just work there and want to do some digging, planting and nurturing.

The planting officially begins on Monday, when the the students will plant enough vegetables to fill the produce section at a corner deli.

If everything goes right, the harvest will include, in no particular order, broccoli rabe, cucumbers, eggplants, lettuce, okra, arugula, beans, beets, kale, radishes and tomatoes. Ms. Price said some of the produce will end up being served at the food kiosk at the Battery.

She said that a master plan for the Battery from the 1980s did not call for agriculture, or even horticulture. But the idea of a farm that could serve as an urban classroom was an appealing addition.

Read the complete article here.