The mission of East New York Farms! is to organize youth and adults to address food justice in our community by promoting local sustainable agriculture and community-led economic development. We have been working with youth, gardeners, farmers, and entrepreneurs to build a more just and sustainable community since 1998.
CONTACT:
Ariella Riapos (they/them)
Project Director, East New York Farms!
(646)-738-9936 ex 1018
613 New Lots Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207
URBAN FARMS
We operate one urban farm and a learning garden in East New York to increase access to locally grown produce, as well as to provide opportunities to learn, gather, and volunteer. Our farms and gardens produce over 70 varieties of cultural relevant foods and serve as spaces to bring the community together by hosting educational workshops, farm tours and volunteer days.
ENY Youth Farm
The ENY Youth Farm, established in 2000, is a dynamic 1/2 acre site where we grow organic produce for our Farmers Market, provide garden beds for community members to grow in, house a beehive, and serve as a learning and training space for our Youth Program.
Our Youth Internship Program runs yearly from March to November where we hire 25 youth and teach them organic farming techniques and grow healthy, chemical-free food to sell at our Saturday and Wednesday farmers markets. For more information, visit the internship page.
The ENY Youth Farm hosts open volunteer days the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month from 11am to 1pm, and every Wednesday from 11am-1pm.
To schedule an exclusive work day and tour for your group, contact Alexx, Farm Manager, at alexxc@cypresshills.org.
Volunteer on our Farms
Interested in working on a farm in Brooklyn, supporting community agriculture, and increasing access to culturally appropriate crops and foods? Come volunteer on our ENY Youth Farm! We host Open Volunteer Days from April to November. Come get your hands dirty and learn about urban farming!
Volunteer Sign Up
Farm Volunteer Schedules (March- October):
UCC Youth Farm; 620 Schenck Ave
Every Wednesday 11am-1pm
1st & 3rd Saturday 11am-1pm
Compost Volunteer Days; 620 Schenck Ave
1st & 3rd Saturday 11am-1pm
For safety, volunteers are required to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants to volunteer on the farms.
To Schedule a Farm Tour or Group Volunteer day:
Sign up for a Farm Tour and Volunteer Day HERE
We suggest a donation of $25 per person for coordinating volunteer days for corporate groups.
Donations can be made online via Zeffy HERE
FARMERS' MARKET
Our community-run farmers market and farm stand make fresh food available and affordable, while building our local economy and creating spaces for neighbors to meet and greet. We’ve worked hard to expand and improve our selection, so come on out and see what our vendors have to offer.
The East New York Farmers Market features local gardeners, vendors, and regional farmers. We sell fresh and affordable produce from gardeners around East New York and local farms, and host craft and hot food vendors, cooking demonstrations, free books, music, and special events at our Saturday markets.
We accept cash, debit, SNAP EBT, eWIC, Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks, Fresh Connect checks, OTC and Health Bucks. Our market is also the only place in East New York to find local, organic produce; including specialty crops like karela/bittermelon, long beans, malabar spinach and callaloo. Since 1998 we have been providing fresh produce, homemade crafts, and a safe public space for families in East New York, Brooklyn.
Our vendors meet regularly to discuss and incorporate their plans for the market. Their outreach to our community includes collaboration on several fronts; including (but not limited to) market advertisements, outreach, and community education.
We are always looking for gardeners and food/craft vendors looking to sell their products. For more information about this opportunity, scroll down to the Vendors section for the application and required paperwork.
ENY Farmers Market Locations
2025 Season Schedule:
Thursday Farm Stand (produce only)
First Week of July - End of October
1:00-5:00pm
Intersection of Pitkin and Euclid Avenues
Accessible by the A/C trains, B13 & Q7 buses
Saturday Farmers Markets
Last week of June - Mid November
9:00am - 3:00pm
Schenck Ave between New Lots and Livonia Avenue
Accessible by the 3 train, B15, B83 & B6 buses.
We accept cash, credit/debit, SNAP/EBT, Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons, FreshConnect checks, eWIC, OTC and Health Bucks.
Only ENY Farms issued tokens are accepted at our farmers' markets.
Vendors
Farmers Market Documentation
We are currently looking for gardeners looking to sell their produce at our Share Table, as well as vendors with local goods (sauces, teas, juices, jams and jelly, etc.), hot food, baked goods, crafts, art and more. More information about these opportunities can be found in the 2025 Saturday Market Vendor Application form below. Scroll down for all required paperwork.
For more information, email Elli Sol at enyfmarket@cypresshills.org or call 718-649-7979.
ENY Market Forms Links:
We will be doing outreach and training for new and returning vendors in the spring of 2025. If you have questions about vending or know of a local vendor that you would be excited to see at the market, please email Elli Sol.
CONTACT:
Elli Sol
Farmers Market Manager
718-649-7979.
Share Table Gardeners
Are you interested in selling your produce at the ENY Farmers' Market, but cannot make it for the hours of operation? Join the Share Table today!
Drop off produce on Wednesdays from 2-4pm and Fridays from 2-5pm
Keep 90% of your profits
Feed your community with your locally-grown produce!
For more information, email Elli Sol at enyfmarket@cypresshills.org
Click here to apply.
More Information
Have questions on the protocol for the 2025 season? Want to know what paperwork to submit? Email Elli Sol at enyfmarket@cypresshills.org .
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W9 (upon request)
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ENYF! Selling at our Market 101
CONTACT:
Elli Sol
Farmers Market Manager
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Each year during the growing season, ENYF! Staff and Community Educators provide free workshops and activities around gardening, nutrition, wellness, and food justice to educate our neighbors about how to grow, prepare, and preserve healthy food and live more healthily and sustainably.
Resources
Check out "In the Kitchen with East New York Farms" made by our Nutrition Exit-Project Group!
View the full recipe zine on Canva here.
Check out previous cooking demos on our YouTube Channel here.
Are you searching for a food pantry near you?
Click here to view a map of all the pantries and soup kitchens across the city, hosted by Food Bank for NYC.
Hours and services are subject to change without notice. Be sure to call your location ahead of time to confirm.
Community Events & Workshops
Back to School Market
Celebrate the new school year with East NY Farms at our Back-to-School market on Saturday August 16th! We'll be having free bike repairs, facepainting and a Storytime in the Garden! We would love to see families and youth coming out and enjoying the event!
Join us for a fun-filled day:
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10am-11am: Storytime in the Garden with Literacy in Community
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11am-1pm: Face painting
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Free books and games with Brooklyn Book Bodega
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Free Bike repairs all day
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School supply giveaway provided by New York Cares
Youth Icons Market and Youth Food Justice Conference
Join East NY Farms at our annual Youth Icons Market on Saturday September 20th! We'll be having free bike repairs, face painting, a Storytime in the Garden and a performance from Los Lil Kumbias! This market features young entrepreneurs ages 24 and younger, if you would like to be featured at this market selling your products, email enyfmarket@cypresshills.org
Join us for a fun-filled day:
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10am-11am: Storytime in the Garden with Literacy in Community
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11am-1pm: Face painting
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12:30-1:30: Performance by Los Lil Kumbias
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Free Bike repairs and books for all ages all day
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11am-3pm: Youth Food Justice Conference, to register Click here
For more information on the Youth Food Justice Conference: Click here
15th Annual Hot Pepper Contest
Join East New York Farms for our 15th Annual Hot Pepper Contest! Compete to eat all 3 of our hottest peppers grown on the ENY Youth Farm the fastest. The winner will receive a $100! Participants must be 18+ to compete and will have to sign a waiver. If you aren't able to compete, join in the fun day by participating in out Hot Sauce Creation workshop with Senior Intern Joshua John and take home you own hot sauce!
Join us for a fun-filled day:
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11am-1pm: Hot Sauce Creation Workshop with ENYF Returning Intern Joshua John, REGISTER HERE
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1:30pm: 14th Annual Hot Pepper Contest
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Free books with Brooklyn Book Bodega
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Fresh produce, free cooking demos, and more!
YOUTH INTERNSHIP
Every year over 25 young people participate in our intensive 9-month Internship Program. Participants engage in hands-on learning around environment, health, community development, leadership and social justice.
Our youth internship unlocks the potential of young people in East New York by mobilizing them to address food justice in our community. From February through November, interns participate in our intensive internship program. They are involved in all aspects of running a 1/2 acre organic farm, and provide support to other gardens through East New York, often run by senior citizens. Through this process, they learn about the environment, health & nutrition, advocacy, leadership. They work in multi-cultural and multi-generational teams to create change in their community. Many youth stay in the program for several years, taking on new leadership roles each season.
Youth Internship Application
Youth who are passionate about our mission to make healthy, local food available to all members of our community! We are looking for responsible, motivated individuals who want to see personal and professional growth in this internship program. Submit an application if you can commit to spending your summer with us, as well as one weekday after school and Saturdays in the Spring and Fall. We are an equal opportunity employer, pledging to not discriminate against interns based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or genetic information.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Are comfortable working onsite in all weather conditions and virtually when promoted
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Are comfortable being ambassadors for ENYF
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Interested in food justice and community engagement
Program Timeline:
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Spring- Hands on skills development training
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Summer- Outdoor learning and community exploration
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Fall- Final project development
Applications for First Year Intern are now OPEN on a rolling basis until March 2026
Eligible Interns:
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Must be 14-16 years old, high school student
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live or go to school in East New York and neighboring communities
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Available to work from May to mid-November
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Must be available to work Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the Spring
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10 positions available
Compensation:
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Bi-weekly stipend
Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejm8ffiuoVL5hdqdZUOFKsKe3aKKn415dCrsQP-angxQCLVA/viewform
Senior Intern Application
Applications for Senior Intern are now closed. Please check back here Fall 2025 for open positions
Eligible Interns:
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Must be 17-20 years old
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Has been a part of ENYF internship for 2+ years or other relevant experience
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Available to work from March-November
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Excited to mentor ENYF Youth Interns and be an ambassador for ENYF
Compensation:
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Bi-weekly stipend
Youth Food Justice Organizing Interns
The Youth Food Justice Network was created with the mission to build a shared learning spaces for youth organization involved in the food movement. From the beginning, the work of the YFJN has been to establish a platform to connect and celebrate youth food justice organizations working to demand a better and just food system for all.
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Connect and build solidarity with other youth-centered organizations in the northeast region
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Inspire youth leadership by hosting youth-led workshops and skill-shares
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Collaborate and brainstorm solutions to some of the regions most difficult food system issues
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Build a regional youth food justice network for all youth organizations invested in the food justice movement
C.R.A.F.T Days
Youth C.R.A.F.T Days are modeled after the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training which aims to increase educational opportunities for apprentices through on-farm learning experiences. Youth CRAFT Days are intended to build relationships and collaboration between youth food justice organizations and learn from experienced practitioners. Youth CRAFT Days are hosted by participating network organizations and by other partners providing relevant training. These half-day experiences provide leadership opportunities for the youth hosts and give participants a broader view of the food-justice movement.
Upcoming C.R.A.F.T Workshops:
Youth Food Justice Conference
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Saturday, September 20, 2025
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11:00 AM-3:00 PM
Youth Food Justice Network's (YFJN) Annual Youth Food Justice Conference is an event that highlights young people working in urban agriculture, food justice, and advocacy-related work across New York City. Each year, we bring together organizations working towards food justice and sustainability goals to students in a day of learning with and from each other.
NYC COMMUNITY COMPOST NETWORK
ENYF! is excited to announce the NYC Community Compost Network, previously known as the NYC Compost Project! The NYCCCN is a network of organizations that compost, advocate, and educate locally across the 5 boroughs.
Check out the new NYCCCN website here!
Want Soil and Compost in East New York?
Our compost givebacks and soil distributions are for household gardeners / sites in East New York that cannot receive deliveries.
Need compost delivered to your community garden?
See our Resources section at the bottom of the page for more opportunities to get compost in NYC!
♥ Year-Round: GreenThumb community gardens can request soil deliveries from the Office of Environmental Remediation and soil, compost, mulch, and woodchips from GreenThumb ♥
Call to Action!
Calling for support for a community-driven composting project!
The Rockaway Avenue compost site in Canarsie is at a critical moment. East New York Farms and the Lower East Side Ecology Center are working on securing funding to build out a community composting site that will provide local compost to gardens, farms, and green spaces centered in and around Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville.
This project is ready to move forward—but it needs your support to present to City Council in the upcoming budget cycle! Sign on today as an organization local to Canarsie, ENY, or Brownsville (community group, garden, school, block association, etc.) to show your support in bringing local compost, jobs, and infrastructure to the East!
Food Scrap Collection
East New York Farms! Compost Program has been operating for over 15 years! We collect food scraps during the growing season to process into nutrient-rich compost for farms and gardens in East New York to grow organic produce.
On the ENY Youth Farm, we use a 5-bin compost systems and a windrow system to process food scraps.
We keep our operations local and are continually working to divert biodegradable waste and keep composting in the community.
Food Scrap Drop-Off (all-year)
ENYF! hosts a public food scrap collection at our ENY Youth Farm. We host seasonally at our Pink Houses Community Farm and farmers' markets
ENYF! Hauling Services (April-September)
Hauling has begun for businesses and community-based organizations for Spring 2025.
You can find a map of year-round drop off locations below.
Look for a green toter at our ENY Youth Farm location
Year Round!
(620 Schenck Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11207)
Keep an eye out for other FSDO locations in East New York using this map!
NYC Community Compost Network
ENYF! is excited to announce the NYC Community Compost Network, previously known as the NYC Compost Project! The NYCCCN is a network of organizations that compost, advocate, and educate locally across the 5 boroughs.
Check out the new NYCCCN website!
Community Resources
DSNY's Curbside Composting program is currently active for participating boroughs and neighborhoods. Click here for more information and info sessions.
Attention all gardeners! Did you know that you can compost your yard waste with DSNY's curbside composting program?
Requirements:
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Bins must be 55 gallons or less with a secure lid
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Stick a DSNY orange decal on the lid (order one here for free or pick one up at ENYF!)
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Got a lot? Place extra yard waste next to your bin/s in paper or clear plastic bags
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Bundle twigs and branches and place next to your bin/s.
Yard Waste and all compostable materials go out on your recycling day. Find your collection schedule and learn more here.
What to Compost with ENYF?
What we CAN accept:
Fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, eggshells, nut shells, rice, bread, grains, leaves, houseplants, soil, dried flowers, soiled paper (e.g. napkins)
What we CAN’T accept:
Meat, fish, dairy products, fats, grease, oil, ashes, and animal waste.
Resources
Be sure to check out our partners who are also doing amazing compost work throughout New York City!
Featured:
Resources:
Map Key:
Green - Community Composting: No app required for access. Schedule may vary.
Orange - Accessible 24/7 via the NYC Compost app.
Information
Composting Resources for NYC residents!
Featured:
News:
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News: NYC’s Community Composting Cuts Are Putting Its Curbside Plan at Risk
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News: NYC Dept. of Sanitation is expanding composting in NYC!
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News: NYC Makes it Mandatory for Residential Buildings to Recycle Food Waste
Info:
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Play this composting game
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Watch: Home Composting Basics on YouTube by ILSR and Brenda Platt
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Outdoor, Indoor Composting Guide, NYC Master Composter Manual
COMMUNITY GARDENS
East New York Farms! grows fresh, organic, and culturally important foods for our community and provides support for others to do the same. We manage urban farms and work with an ever-growing network of gardeners and farmers representing backyard gardens and over 60 community gardens throughout East New York.
Garden Assistance
Do you need help with tasks in your garden space? Consider participating in our Garden Assistance program with our Youth Interns! Every summer from July through August, our Youth Interns can support your garden space with various tasks. If you are a garden located in East New York, you are eligible to participate by filling out our form here or contacting Youth Program Coordinator
CONTACT:
Brianna Lue
718-649-7979 (ext 1011)
Share Table
Are you interested in selling your produce at the ENY Farmers' Market, but cannot make it for the hours of operation? Join the Share Table!
While our market season has closed for 2024, we are always looking for local gardeners to join Share Table for our future market season. Share Table will start up again in June 2025.
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Drop off produce on Wednesdays and Fridays from 2-5pm
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Keep 90% of your profits
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Feed your community with your locally-grown produce!
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For more information, email Elli Sol at enyfarmersmarket@cypresshills.org
Click here to apply.
Compost
East New York Farms is coordinating FREE un-bagged, loose, clean soil and compost deliveries to GreenThumb gardens around East New York, in collaboration with the Office of Environmental Remediation. Material availability is subject to reason.
For clean soil from OER, fill out this form.
Request compost, soil, and other materials from GreenThumb here.