Brick City Urban Farms

A light rain fell, bees buzzed between our newly blooming sunflowers, and one of New Jersey’s most influential women shared stories about her grandfather’s farm in Georgia and her late husband’s legendary garden here in Newark. Always committed to the issues of hunger, Ms. Crump spoke with us about how churches and governments, local and [...]

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With great energy, dedication, and curiosity, the Greater Newark Conservancy’s Junior Rangers paid us a visit and lent a helping hand.  They spent a while giving the plants their much needed watering (they’re thirsty in 95 degree city heat!) and weeding, and even both at the same time.  Thanks for all of your hard work!

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While working a little later than usual a few kids from our neighborhood stopped by the fence asking if they could have a few of the squash and zucchini. Of course they could, as long as they came in the gate and took a look around at the rest of the garden too. [...]

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It seems like just yesterday that we were shoveling dirt and sowing the first seeds. Plants sure do grow up quick, and over the last few days we’ve been doing our best to keep up with the zucchini, yellow squash, peppers (both hot and sweet), and basil that are dying to be eaten. Just [...]

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Upon opening the gate to the Farm, West Ward Councilman Ron Rice was instantly moved by what he saw: varieties of peppers (he prefers sweet), rows of corn (“growing in Newark?!”, which is the nearly universal response), lettuce, herbs, a pumpkin patch, and a field of tomatoes. “Wow! And you can do this on rooftops [...]

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The farm has entertained a series of much welcomed visitors recently. Pollinating honey bees and aphid-eating lady bugs have made themselves at home, along with new friends from the neighborhood, like Kameron, who have pitched in. Even Mayor Cory Booker came down to the farm on Wednesday to get in on the fun.
Lorraine gave [...]

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Every other Wednesday, Purple Dragon Co-op distributes their produce from the lot. It’s a fun experience to have visitors (especially Elizabeth and Leroy, the recent Purple Dragon representatives and some of the nicest people you will meet, shown in the top picture in the cherry skirt and white tee respectively) and getting to show [...]

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Just the other day, 12-year-old Kameron (with a K, he will tell you), a kid from around the corner who has been keeping a close eye on our work, showed up at our lot with a head full of questions and a real enthusiasm to help out. Since then he’s been doing pretty much everything [...]

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One of the most immediately rewarding aspects of the farm, besides seeing the crops grow, is the enthusiasm that the project has infused in our neighbors. Corn growing on Spruce Street has attracted curiosity. People stop by to check out what’s going on. And in the spirit of neighborliness, (or neighborly competition) [...]

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