Teens for Food Justice and Green Mountain Energy Sun Club have announced an event to celebrate the launch of a youth-led hydroponic farm at the Murry Bergtraum Educational Campus, which includes The Urban Assembly Maker Academy, Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers, Manhattan Early College School for Advertising, and The Urban Assembly Early College High School of Emergency Medicine. Taking place on January 15, 2025, the event will feature a ceremonial "Flip-the-Switch" moment to activate the hydroponic system.
This 1,500-square-foot farm is expected to produce 9,000 pounds of fresh produce annually. Supported by a $148,000 sustainability grant from Sun Club, the initiative represents an advancement in urban agriculture and sustainable food systems in Manhattan. Sun Club supports projects related to renewable energy, sustainability education, and environmental stewardship. The farm is the latest addition to TFFJ's expanding network of school-based urban agriculture initiatives and underscores TFFJ's commitment to addressing food insecurity and promoting hands-on STEM learning for New York City students.
Since November 2023, in preparation for the farm's construction, 280 students from Urban Assembly Maker (Maker) have participated in hands-on, STEM-based curricular day classes and after-school programming using small-scale experimental hydroponic systems. Once the high-capacity vertical farm is operational, approximately 300 Maker students (as well as students from the other three campus schools) will engage in hydroponic farming, food justice advocacy, culinary and sustainability projects, building critical skills in science, technology, leadership, and advocacy each year while contributing to a healthier, more equitable future. Once fully operational, fresh produce will be distributed daily to the school's 1,400 students through the school cafeteria, via take-home bags for campus students and their families, and through partnerships with local community organizations.
The event will feature remarks from TFFJ CEO & Co-Founder Katherine Soll, resident school Urban Assembly Maker Academy Principal Amy Piller, representatives from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, student leaders, and local elected officials, to be announced. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in an interactive activity by writing "grow notes" on Post-its to welcome the new farm—continuing a meaningful tradition started by TFFJ students.
The event will take place January 15th, 2024, 11:00 AM - 12:20 PM, at Murry Bergtraum Educational Campus, 411 Pearl St, New York, NY 10038.
For more information:
Teens for Food Justice
teensforfoodjustice.org