Announcement
New Roots Community Farm
This past Saturday, the IRC in NY celebrated its 10-year Anniversary at the New Roots Community Farm in the Bronx since its grand opening in 2013!
It was a special gathering at the Harvest Festival on September 30, which was full of community, fresh harvest, friends and family, and many activities. We also dedicated that day to celebrating 35 years of Bronx Green-Up! Many community organizations came to table and shared their resources with the community.
Pumpkin Picking & Photoshoot Booth!
Photo: Rabeea Barakat
This Week's Festival
At the festival, there was face painting, 3 raffle rounds, a press-on scarf station, lots of dancing thanks to music by DJ Sunny Cheeba, and so much more! Delicious fresh food was served by B-Blossom.
It's incredible to see how 10 Years went by so Fast: Looking back at our Milestones: The IRC’s Bronx NRCF serves the community by providing healthy food produce, celebrating food memories, and reimagining a community farm model. Take a look at our milestone highlights (click here)to see how far we’ve come in reaching our goals!
Taking Care of our Harvest!
Photo: IRC in NY
Now entering our 10th year, the IRC in NY NRCF is looking forward to continuing several projects on our horizon including:
- Immigrant Urban Farmer’s Steward Project provides Agriculture workshops and one-on-one technical assistance through the Farm stewardship.
- Cultivate NYC trains stewards in climate-smart agriculture, food justice, and culinary training, and fosters their skills and confidence by providing hands-on experience in managing Cultivate NYC farms and markets.
- Harvests: Cultivation of Farm through seed saving, compost, food distribution, and special projects involving guandules, bissap, as well as value-added products such as honey, sofrito, and more.
- Expand our market and continue to connect with our community!
- Farm Ecosystem: Continual care of our Farm beds, High Tunnel, and greenhouse to protect our harvests.
Enjoying the festivities with friends!
Photo: Rabeea Barakat
It is also important that we continue our food security offerings:
Free Harvest Fridays: Every Friday & Open to All Community: Harvest sessions every Friday from 9a-2p to distribute to the general public & all Community. Community members take home free fresh produce including, but not limited to: Kale, Collards, Broccoli, Chard, Herbs, Lettuce, & more!
Farmstand Saturdays: Beginning Saturday, July 8th the Farm opens on Saturdays from *10a-3p for open & volunteer hours and the New Roots Farmstand. The Farmstand is pay to scale and EBT/SNAP, Health Bucks & FMNP are all accepted at the Farmstand. The Farmstand features freshly harvested produce and value-added selections produced by our own New Roots Community members.
Our Gratitude
Our milestones could not have been achieved without the dedication, compassion, and support of our wonderful community members and land stewards. We’d like to extend a special shoutout to DK, Sunny, and Jason- as well as our wonderful land stewards: Denise, Renee, Rose, and Estela!
Hula hoop at the Harvest Festival!
Photo: Rabeea Barakat
Of course, there are many more individuals to thank who contribute to the impact and reach of the New Roots Farm! Our amazing partners have also played a role in expanding our farm’s offerings and strengthening its community roots, as well as improving our sustainable imprint. We would like to thank:
New York City Department of Transportation, New York City Parks: Bronx Green Thumb, New York Botanical Garden: Bronx Green-UP(NYBG), New York Restoration Project (NYRP), Montefiore-Einstein, B-Blossom, Cardinal Hays, People’s Credit Union Banking, Emma’s Torch, Good Call, New Settlement, and many more!
On behalf of community members and program leaders at the IRC in NY New Roots Community Farm, I would like to thank you all for supporting our New Roots Farm! Cheers to more years cultivating food security and community!
Warmly,
Sheryll Durrant
Food & Agriculture Coordinator