Mad Fun Farm: First Youth-Centered Farm on NYCHA property

Through Concrete Safaris’ Green Exercise Day program, over 170 youth and their teachers from PS 182, PS 198, and Union Settlement Association’s Rising Stars program along with 70 volunteers from Citizens Committee for NYC, Computer Associates, and J.P. Morgan began installing Mad Fun Farm, the first youth-centered farm on NYCHA property citywide, over Earth Week 2009. 7-8-year-olds in Concrete Safaris’ after school program at Union Settlement Association’s Rising Stars site spent the past 4 months designing Mad Fun Farm. Each participating child who is interested will bring his or her class to continue installing the space, giving him or her an opportunity to be healthy leaders through various social networks.

The graded plot

Our 7-8-year-olds designed the map for Mad Fun Farm over the winter.

Youth build raised beds with Rob Bennaton of NYCHA Gardening.

Painting the entrance sign

Look, I found a worm!

Planting seeds