Fresh Happenings in May

Community Update May 2017

Our Farm Intensive Begins!

We're excited to kick off the season! Earlier in April, our Farm Intensive at the Youth Farm finally began! Students dove right in and have already been preparing beds, sowing, and transplanting seedlings, in addition to learning more about each other. The cool mornings are giving way to sunny afternoons as springs arrives at the farm.

This year welcomes our cohort of Farm Intensive students along with returning Crew Leaders Bersi, Tommy, and Chloe. Check out our student profiles!

Make Sure You're Counted!

The USDA Census of Agriculture will circulate later this year, and there's still time to sign up to take part before June. Farmers of color have historically been underrepresented in agricultural census data. Let's make sure the awareness of all farmers is as rich as our soil.

The survey has a strict confidentiality policy, but please be cautious when sharing with folks or in networks that include undocumented farmers. With that in mind, please share widely, and be sure to register to receive the survey!

Course Updates

Propagation

While our Farm Intensive began in April, our Propagation course recently came to an end. Our all star team of Molly Culver and Onika Abraham facilitated . Students visited The Youth Farm and La Finca del Sur , and put knowledge into practice while raising seedlings at home!

Student Reflection: Propagation

"I loved the facilitators, the way they presented the material, the way they engaged with us, their positive energy and supportive environment, as well as the depth of their knowledge. They really made this course a meaningful learning experience.

I also enjoyed the time spent at the Youth Farm, learning about the techniques for starting seeds, the hoop house, sowing, watering.... It's challenging to say what I liked the most because it was all such a great experience."

- Milly Itzhak, Citywide Certificate Student

Farm School alumna Shephali Patel shares about her NYC Compost Project site at Snug Harbor with students

Growing Soils

Our current course, Growing Soils, is lead by veteran teacher Molly Culver . The course focuses on everything from soil science, soil remediation, and current NYC soils, to soil fertility, proper irrigation, and compost biology & construction. The course makes a number of trips to sites around the city, including Snug Harbor Heritage Farm, Know Wastelands, and Earth Matter!

What's Next?

Later in May, our Irrigation course will begin. This two-week overview will cover the role of irrigation in farm systems, types of irrigation, how to set up these systems and where to source equipment within the context of NYC .

We'll also send out registration for our NYC as an Ecosystem course in the near future. If you're interested in more information or receiving the registration for these courses, pre-register here !