BROOKLYN, N.Y. — On Friday, March 31, 2017, Green Valley Community Farm will break ground on an extension to its greenhouse, which will accommodate an aquaponics system. Aquaponics is the fusion of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (growing plants in water only, without soil).
WHAT: Aquaponics system groundbreaking
WHEN: Friday, March 31, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Green Valley Community Farm, 93 New Lots Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212
WHO: Brenda Duchene, director, Green Valley Community Farm
- Councilmember Inez Barron, District 42 representative
- Paula Segal, staff attorney, Community Development Project of the Urban Justice Center
- Anthony Graham, director, Help USA
- Daniel Goodine, community advocate
- Lucas Denton, director, Melting Pot
- Mara Kravitz, director of partnerships, 596 Acres
MEDIA CONTACT: Loretta Kane (loretta@caminopr.com or 917-410-7242) or Amy Lebowitz (212-255-2575 or amy@caminopr.com)
A recent report by the Citizens Committee for Children of New York finds that Brownsville faces considerable economic disparities and poor access to critical resources. As a result, 40 percent of Brownsville residents live in poverty and 45 percent rely on food stamps — more than double the rate for the city at large. Resident stewardship of public land is allowing Brownsville residents to innovate solutions to these challenges, like the aquaponics system they are launching this week.
At the end of January 2017, Mayor de Blasio cancelled plans to sell the city land to a private housing developer for just $1. This resulted from a protracted multiyear resident-led campaign for permanent preservation of the 20-year-old farm, supported by 596 Acres and the Community Development Project of the Urban Justice Center. Residents can now turn their energy back to building greater food security, helping Brooklyn residents thrive, and creating an oasis for all Brownsville residents and New Yorkers.
The groundbreaking will be followed by a community celebration, including light refreshments.
Photo by Joel Wolfram.
