“Season of Growth Summit” Launches NYCHA Farms & Gardens

June 3, 2024June 24, 2024 Joshua Olesker

On Saturday, April 13, NYCHA kicked off a new year for urban farming and gardening efforts at the Authority, welcoming a citywide range of enthusiastic participants to its “NYCHA Farms & Gardens Season of Growth Summit 2024” event at the Johnson Houses Community Center in Manhattan. Over 150 former and future NYCHA farmers and gardeners gathered at the Summit, which had been organized by the Farms and Gardens team in NYCHA’s Department of Resident Health Initiatives, to reconnect, network with representatives of partner organizations, and learn more about how to make their particular corners of America’s largest public housing authority blossom in 2024 and onward.

“I loved every part of it!” said Ayana Chung, a young resident of Ravenswood Houses in Queens. “It was so exciting – I left the event smiling ear to ear, just radiant! It was so empowering to hear about what’s possible. There was so much to take in!”

Open to NYCHA residents of all ages, NYCHA’s 2024 Season of Growth Summit featured seven workshops provided by partners:

Starting a Community Garden and Seed Starting (NYC Parks/GreenThumb)
Gardens as Community Hubs (GrowNYC)
Food As Medicine (Plant-Powered Metro New York)
Rat Academy for Community Gardeners (NYC Health Department)
Grant Writing and Fundraising for Your Garden (Citizens Committee for NYC)
Composting in Your Community (Compost Power)

NYCHA Board Vice President Victor Gonzalez and Resident Services Vice President Leroy Williams welcomed attendees and called for their support for growing NYCHA’s Farms and Gardens initiatives. Pest Management Vice President Josephine Bartlett reminded the gathering to call the Customer Contact Center (718-707-7771) to report any pest concerns proactively so NYCHA staff and gardeners can work together to resolve.

The Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture, Qiana Mickie, delivered the Summit’s keynote address, emphasizing the critical role and voice of NYCHA resident farmers and gardeners: “We all deserve fair, fresh, affordable food, and our communities should have a say in activating open space to help build our food systems. The Office of Urban Agriculture focuses on growing, composting, and harvesting; it is about what’s good for NYC and what’s good for New Yorkers. We are constantly examining how we can better leverage the City’s resources to create more spaces for health, respite, and growing, spaces where we can innovate and continue to share and learn with each other.”

Qiana Mickie, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture, delivered the Summit’s keynote address

One thing we know for sure, Ms. Mickie said, is that “when you are growing food and get your hands dirty in the soil, you are getting whole, fresh food you can taste and share in a different way.”

Ms. Chung made sure to attend Ms. Mickie’s address and reported that the chance to meet and talk afterward with the most senior government official in charge of the City’s efforts to champion urban farms and gardens was a memorable highlight of an extraordinary day:

Ayana Chung and Qiana Mickie together at the Summit

“I went up to Ms. Mickie right after she spoke – she was so kind!” said Ms. Chung. “We talked about our shared common interests and food equality. It was a really great conversation!”

John Saulters, 75, a veteran NYCHA farmer and gardener who also attended the Farms & Gardens Summit, aims to re-start the gardening efforts he has led for several years at Farragut Houses in Brooklyn:

John Saulters (center) led a diverse group of Farragut Houses gardeners at the April 13th Summit

“I was raised on a farm about 50 miles from Fayetteville, North Carolina,” said Mr. Saulters, by way of explanation. “We had a farm down there, 175 acres. I had farming on both sides of my family, farming was in my blood. But when I came to Farragut, there was no garden. So naturally – I started gardening!”

Mr. Saulters described the value of green spaces to the health and well-being of NYCHA communities: “My neighbors here at Farragut – I’m working to help them understand the value of our garden. The food it produces is nutritious, and the atmosphere of the garden is healing – it helps everybody, both mentally and physically. Folks don’t always have money to buy organic food… but what we grow, we give it away to them for free. And they really like our fresh fruits and vegetables – they say they taste different. So yes, this gardening movement is spreading again – yes, NYCHA is back in the gardening business!”

Staff from Resident Services, Partnerships, and Initiatives join
NYCHA Board Vice Chair Victor Gonzalez to kick off the event.

NYCHA’s resident gardening application is available online!

Are you interested in cultivating a green space at your development this year?

NYCHA’s Garden Registry Application is a one-page form that must be completed and submitted to your property management office for approval.

Download the application in English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese (traditional), Chinese (simplified), or pick up a paper copy at your property management office. To connect with the Farms and Gardens team and sign up to receive updates on upcoming events and available support, including funding opportunities, email gardens@nycha.nyc.gov or call (212) 306-8282 and leave a message.