6 New York City Farms, Get In Touch With Urban Agriculture

When the Dutch settled New York City, they built up what we now consider Lower Manhattan. Under British rule it became a sizable and influential port town, but aside from the bustling business district at the bottom of the island, the rest of Manhattan was farmland. Outer boroughs like Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn have even richer farming traditions because they have more land. Even as one of the World’s most urban metropolises, there are still ways to experience New York’s farming traditions.

Here are a few ways to experience farming as it is now in New York City:

Queens Country Farm

With a history dating back to 1697, the Queens County Farm is the only working historical farm left in New York City. Its 47 acres includes historic farm buildings, a greenhouse, livestock, planting fields, an orchard, and an herb garden. At the Queens County Farm Museum you can tour the historic farmhouse, feed livestock, and take hayrides. They also host events throughout the year including an antique auto show, full moon harvests, and Maize Mazes during the fall.

A view of Rooftop Farms in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Rooftop Farms, Greenpoint

This 6,000 square foot farm has an unlikely location, on the roof of a soundstage studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. While NBC, FX, and Nickelodeon are filming below, some of the best produce in the city is growing above. The produce is favored by the best local restaurants and is available for purchase at the McCarren Park farmers market on Saturdays.

Roberta’s, Williamsburg

Known for their delicious, fresh pizzas, Roberta’s quickly became a favorite go-to restaurant in Eastern Williamsburg. Housed in an old garage, the restaurant has a somewhat gritty feel, but the pizzas are anything but. All ingredients are locally sourced right from their backyard. Although you won’t find cows for their homemade mozzarella, they have their very own greenhouse that grows the majority of their delicious toppings. This unique dining experience is a great day excursion and very “New York.”

The entrance to Roberta's Pizza in Williamsburg.

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East New York Farms

As a cooperation between community centers and local residents, East New York Farms strives to promote local sustainable agriculture and create opportunities for economic development in East New York. Not only do they get the community involved, create youth internships, coordinate CSA programs, they have amazing farmers markets on Saturdays and Wednesdays featuring specialty Caribbean ingredients like karela, bora, and callaloo.

Dyckman Farmhouse Museum

This Dutch colonial farm house is over 200 years old and has watched its neighborhood turn from farmland to urban jungle. Now the house is filled with objects that represent Dutch heritage. What was once several hundred acres of farmland has been restricted to a small park in the Inwood neighborhood, but it is still worth a visit to see how early Manhattanites lived.

Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum

Head to Brooklyn for another look at a colonial farmhouse where Dutch-Americans lived off the land. In 1965 the house was the first structure to be named a New York City landmark. Today you can visit the house and community garden where they hold great programs for children, community events, and have a general store.

[photos courtesy of Gary Soup, Rooftop Farms, Jeffrey Tastes]