The Cherry on Top
Green Spaces has lovingly created an urban farm on the roof of 33 Flatbush Avenue. With the intention of transforming an unused roof into a space that produces food, recycles waste, fosters community, and reduces its carbon footprint, Green Spaces has implemented a number of growing, cultivating, and recycling systems that make up its urban farm. Green Spaces intends to use all of the vegetables and herbs grown to feed the members of Green Spaces, thereby insuring zero food miles or packaging
Elements of the Green Spaces Urban Farm:
- Organic Vegetables and Herbs: Vegetables currently growing include tomatoes, peppers, squash, and lettuce. Herbs currently growing include parsley, basil, and mint.
- Wildflower Garden:We haveplanted a wildflower garden with the help of Alive Structures, a Green Spaces member
- Chickens:Green Spaces has recently received a grant from Just Food to raise chickens for egg production in its urban farm. Green Spaces is currently in the process of researching how these chickens can thrive most comfortably upon their arrival at Green Spaces.
- Compost System:We haveimplemented a four-bin compost system that is used by all tenants of the building, not limited to Green Space members. Green Space members compost all compostable food scraps produced in its kitchens.
- Rain Catching System:We collectrainwater and uses it to water the plants.
- Common Area: To foster community, Green Spaces has installed a deck made of recycled wood and reclaimed insulation materials.
The Green Spaces urban farm is in its early stages and will need donations and volunteered labor to reach its full potential. The materials needed include:
- Soil
- Vegetable and herb plants
- Vegetable and herb seeds
- Planters
- Decking materials and/or professional help finishing the common areas
- Chairs
- Hammocks
- Volunteers
Green Spaces hopes that its urban farm will inspire its members and members of its Brooklyn community to eat locally and organically and to seek additional ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Having turned an unused space into an oxygen- and food-producing farm that recycles and reuses its own waste, Green Spaces hopes to inspire additional urban farms in its neighborhood and beyond.
