When we fight, we win! Green Valley Community Garden and Farmer’s Market is saved!
Just days before the eviction deadline, Mayor Bill de Blasio took heed of the powerful resident-led campaign, supported by 596 Acres and the Community Development Project at the Urban Justice Center, and announced that the city would not be destroying Brownsville’s 20 year old community farm!
“Our victory means we can turn our energy back to healthy foods that help Brooklyn residents thrive and continue to ensure our garden is an oasis for all our Brownsville neighbors and New York City residents,” said lead gardener and farmer’s market organizer Brenda Thompson-Duchene.
Residents had to save their farm and farmer’s market not once, with the #hpdlist fiasco, buttwice. News 12 coverage here and photos here. Chronicles on lot page here. Read more about Green Valley’s triumph here.
Donate to support community land access advocacy for NYC here.
Got code? We’re hiring a developer
596 Acres is looking for a Python and Django full-stack developer to help create a new website based on our Living Lots framework for a new location! Details here. Apply by February 28.
NEWS FROM THE ORGANIZING ACRES
Edgemere, Queens – This Saturday, February 4 at 2pm, join organizers to design a community-run park and garden to replaced this giant Bayside lot on Beach 43rd Street. The group will be meeting at B29 Playground, 1-09 Beach 30th St., inspiration for a kid-friendly design! Contact Alexis at alexissmallwood83@gmail.com or (347) 608-3556, and sign up to Organize here: http://livinglotsnyc.org/lot/
Highbridge, Bronx – This week, neighborhood advocates planning Corporal Irwin A. Fischer Park between West 169th Street and Nelson and Shakespear Avenues met with Council Member Venessa Gibson, and administration officials to share a vision for a new active park and tranquil community garden, spread across the three neglected city-owned lots. Although this parkland remains inaccessible to the public, residents are committed to opening the gates soon. Organizers are planning a design meeting for early March. Email organizecflot@gmail.com, call Sabeena at (914) 263-2454, Dian at (929) 575-3438, stay tuned here for updates, and/or sign up to Organize for an invite: http://livinglotsnyc.org/lot/
Harlem, Manhattan – A science teacher who works at a nearby school wants to transform a vacant public lot at 128 West 127th St into a community garden. Do you live nearby? Work with Bee: email niewiadomskiblazej@gmail.com. Sign up to Organize here:https://livinglotsnyc.org/lot/
Weeksville, Brooklyn – Assembly Member Latrice Walker sent a letter of support for an E.D.E.N. Garden at 45 Somers Street! The GreenThumb application is nearly complete: the group is finalizing the layout for the youth-centered garden, specializing in herbs and spices. To plug in, contact C. Aaron – wecarethatyoucare@gmail.com, (347) 589-7583 and sign up to Organize here: http://livinglotsnyc.org/lot/
Crown Heights, Brooklyn – Neighbors are organizing to transform a former Lots for Tots playground that has been closed for over a decade on Prospect Place between Albany and Kingston Aves into a beautiful community space! Janice has asked her neighbors to each collect 50 petition signatures to bring to Community Board 8’s Parks Committee, which wants to see 200. Print this blank petition to collect yours, and let Janice know when you’re done: (646) 479-7035, janicepurvis@gmail.com, and sign up to Organize: https://livinglotsnyc.org/lot/
Bushwick, Brooklyn – Save the date! On March 15 at 9:30am, Eldert Street Garden returns to court. As a reminder, New York State Attorney General’s Office is investigating the suspicious transfer of the deed to the garden property. Come to court to show that you support the efforts of the elected Attorney General. To get looped in, contact Kim atkim.erika920@gmail.com, connect through facebook here, and sign up to Organize here:http://livinglotsnyc.org/lot/
OUR LOTS WITH ACCESS: JOIN A GARDEN!
Greenpoint, Brooklyn – Java Street Community Garden‘s 2017 Kick-Off meeting is tonight,Thursday, February 2 at 7:30pm at t.b.d, 224 Franklin St! Find out about becoming a member! More information here.
Lefferts Garden, Brooklyn – Maple Street Community Garden is hosting their February general meeting this Saturday, February 4 at 1pm. New members welcome and our campaign to secure the space for the public continues! Email maple3garden@gmail.com for location and agenda. More information here.
COLLABORATORS
Bushwick, Brooklyn – On Saturday, February 11 at 11am, join residents of Community Board 4 for a Bushwick Community Plan Summit at Ridgewood Bushwick Youth Center, 1474 Gates Ave. The Bushwick Community Plan will be the guide for future zoning changes in the neighborhood. More information about the meeting and plan here.
Get ready for spring with these garden workshops
Downtown Manhattan – This Saturday, February 4 from 11am to 1pm, GreenThumb is hosting part three of three of their organizing workshops: “Organizing for Garden Success: Panel and Q & A”. RSVP here to join this workshop at 100 Gold Street, Suite 3100.
Brownsville, Brooklyn – Next Tuesday, February 7 from 5:30pm to 7pm, GreenThumb is hosting “Sharing Our Farm Traditions” at the Brownsville Recreation Center, 1555 Linden Boulevard. Call (212) 602-5300 to RSVP. More information here.
Belmont, Bronx – New York City Compost Project, working to rebuild NYC’s soils by providing New Yorkers with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to produce and use compost locally, is hosting two workshops at the New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, on Saturday February 18: “Crazy for Composting Workshop” at 11am and “Food: From Ground to Table and Back” at 1:30pm. Event information and RSVP here.
JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES
NYC Compost Project Hosted by Big Reuse is hiring an Organics Recovery Coordinator and an Organics Collection Outreach Coordinator. More details about the positions and applying here.
Green City Force is hiring a Urban Farm Corps Team Leader. More about the position here.
GREEN FOR YOUR GREEN
The Borough Presidents have public funds to support your projects! It is one way to fund new fences or water access for your community spaces! Brooklyn: apply by this Sunday, February 5. More information here. Staten Island: apply by February 10. More information here. Manhattan: apply by February 14. More information here. Queens: apply by February 14. More information here. (Bronx deadline has passed.)
The NYCEF Newtown Creek Fund is offering grants between $5,000 and $25,000 to organizations involved in environmental education, public access, and stewardship projects benefiting communities along Newtown Creek in Brooklyn or Queens. Deadline to apply isFebruary 17. More information here.
Check out our list of micro grants and resources that can help you make your project a reality AFTER you have access to your lot.
Thanks to Patchen Community Square for sending us this photograph of summertime fun to remind us what that’s like! We invite you to remember past collective triumphs and find inspiration for what lies ahead with us: read our 2016 Annual Report here.
Keep loving, keep protecting,
596 Acres
