A Farm Grows in M.S. 53

By Katie McFadden

A seed has been planted in M.S. 53 Brian Piccolo middle school, and now the fruits, or rather, the veggies, of students’ labor is starting the pay off. On Thursday, April 24, students and staff of M.S. 53, along with Teens for Food Justice and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, officially cut the ribbon on their flourishing indoor hydroponic farm system.

From a variety of lettuces to herbs and even cucumbers, M.S. 53’s 1,040-square-foot indoor farm boasts a bountiful harvest that is being used both in the school’s cafeteria and distributed to those in need in the community. Earlier in the school year, students began learning about the system and by January, they started to get their hands dirty, starting seeds that have now grown into full produce through the green thumbs of the students and supporters.

“When they told me we were getting a hydroponic farm, I laughed and said to myself, but I’m the plant killer,” Principal Zoanne Wilkins said with a laugh at the ribbon cutting event. “The idea of having a farm inside our school felt a little wild but also full of promise. Standing here today, I couldn’t be more proud. This farm will give our students the opportunity to learn, to lead and to grow, not just food, but also their understanding of health, science and equity.” Wilkins then thanked Borough President Richards for helping to fund the project, and the students for putting their heart and soul into it. “To our students, this farm belongs to you. Use it, love it and I know everything you grow here is helping build a healthier and stronger community,” she said.

Joining school-based hydroponic farm systems at the Far Rockaway High School Educational Campus and at Scholars’ Academy, M.S. 53’s farm can potentially produce 5,600 pounds of fresh produce annually, feeding over 500 students, and the community, through the Central Assisted Living Facility and New Horizon Counseling Center in Far Rockaway, whose patients have also had field trips to see the farm. Students tend to the farm both during the school day through classes, and in after-school programs.

Katherine Soll, CEO of Teens For Food Justice (TFFJ), was on hand for the momentous occasion of celebrating their latest farm on the peninsula. “We’re so excited to continue growing. It’s been a long time in the development to get to this launch event and I’m happy to share it. TFFJ is working to build a food secure future and a sustainable health food system through school-based, youth-led hydroponic farming, and to build health education. I’m beyond excited to be here in the Rockaways.  This farm is the third in a school-based farm hub we are building with partners such as the borough present, to really change health education and equity in the Rockaways. This farm hub will encompass five campuses that will serve 10 schools with as many as 5,000 students, and their family members and the local community. Hopefully this is the foundation of a moment to make healthy, affordable fresh food more available in this community,” Soll said, thanking those who helped make it possible. “The students are the engine that make this entire program run. Their enthusiasm and passion for their farms and the mission for TFFJ is beyond inspiring and the students here are a shining example.”

Soll then spoke about a little added touch the students at M.S. 53 have developed to encourage positivity around the project. Around the plants are heart-shaped post-it notes with encouraging words from students for the plants and each other.  Guests were welcome to add their own.

She then introduced one of those students who has been pouring his heart into the farm. “I want to say thank you to our amazing principal, our school district and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for supporting and funding our youth school farm,” seventh grader, Tymeik Robinson said. “And thank you to TFFJ for helping make this dream a reality. We’re so lucky to have this opportunity and know it’s just the beginning. I can assure you that this farm will be revolutionary in the urban agricultural practices in New York City. Through the farm, we’re learning so much from how food grows to how we can make healthy choices and protect the environment. Our school is built on camaraderie, which is why I’m sure that the farm will grow due to the teamwork and compassion that we all put into it. Thank you to our science teacher Ms. Boling and our lab assistant who are helping guide us, making sure we understand how powerful this project is. Thank you for believing in us. We’re excited to grow, learn and make our school community proud.”

Finally, Borough President Richards, who helped fund the project, spoke before the audience. “We used to hear that this school is the worst school on the peninsula, but to see the transformation that you’ve made that has changed the lives of these students is really transformational,” Richards said to Principal Wilkins. “We’re a neighborhood filled with disparities. When you have a lack of access to fresh foods, to healthcare, those are the things that make it a challenge. So, my job is to address those disparities. We’re building two supermarkets. And we’re building these hubs which really are going to give our students access to STEM. We’re building up many of our future chefs and planting the seeds for a better economy for the peninsula. I couldn’t be happier to be here because I know the potential that this school has, that this entire peninsula has.”

After speeches, Soll, Richards, Principal Wilkins, Robinson and others gathered to officially cut the ribbon on their farm.

The next hydroponic farm systems are planned for P.S./M.S. 183 and Goldie Maple Academy. According to Soll, they’re hoping P.S./ M.S. 183’s farm can be built this summer so it’s ready for the next school year. The farm for Goldie Maple is awaiting funding, but that’s expected to come with the new city budget.

Rockaway is the only neighborhood in Queens with TFFJ farms. Soll says it was a good fit for their mission. “It’s such a high-need area. Our mission is to bring this to communities that really lack access to fresh foods and lack educational experiences and opportunities that come out of these hands-on experiential learning programs, so it has a lot of benefits to the Rockaways,” Soll said.