Brownsville
Stop the presses — Borough President Eric Adams and Andrew Shearer, co-founder and chief executive officer of Farmshelf, joined Brooklyn Democracy Academy administrators, teachers, and students, to announce that an agreement between his administration and Brooklyn Democracy Academy’s urban farm has been reached. This one-of-a-kind agreement allows for the purchase and installation of indoor hydroponic farm units to be used to grow leafy greens and herbs in a compact and sustainable environment within the school. The $20,000 allocation includes a curriculum for students at the school to learn how to grow and distribute produce, write code, create applications, and build and maintain the vegetation units.
“We’re teaching students to grow healthy food in state-of-the-art vertical farming units that will go to nourish our neighbors in need,” the Beep explained.
“We are so excited to be working with innovators like Borough President Adams and the students at Brooklyn Democracy Academy who are empowering the next generation of farmers,” said Shearer.
“This is a really great opportunity for our students,” said Academy principal Dez-Ann Romain.
The veggies grown will be distributed to senior centers, New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents, and other community-based organizations on a regular basis for local families in need.
Brooklyn Democracy Academy [985 Rockaway Ave. in Brownsville; (718) 342–6590]
