In all five boroughs, New Yorkers have turned vacant lots and rooftops, schoolyards and NYCHA gardens into places to grow food. But urban agriculture also encompasses a wide range of other activities: participants earn income at farmers markets, capture stormwater, compost food waste, gain leadership and job skills, learn about nutrition and the environment, and create safe, attractive public spaces. These activities contribute to many citywide health, social, economic, and ecological benefits, as well as to the goals of municipal agencies and elected officials. Five Borough Farm, a project conceived by thread collective in partnership with Ian Marvy of Added Value, received a grant through the Design Trust for Public Space to research in depth the opportunities for urban agriculture across the city. The multi-year project offered a roadmap to farmers and gardeners, City officials, and other stakeholders to understand and weigh the benefits of urban agriculture. Phase 1 of the project was conducted with social scientists, Nevin Cohen and Kristin Reynolds, public health expert Rupal Sanghvi, and graphic designer Agnieszka Gasparska. images below by kiss me i'm polish
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