Crop Plan 2021 Announced
Queens County Farm Museum announces its 2021 Crop Plan. As one of the longest continually farmed sites in New York State dating back to 1697 and New York City’s largest tract of farmland, Queens Farm occupies a unique position in New York City to feed New Yorkers, shorten the distance from farm to fork, serve as a model for teaching and research and be a leader in the ecological well-being of New York City.
Queens Farm will grow over 200 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers in 2021. The farm’s 2021 crop plan includes new varieties of produce such as: Artichokes, Mardi Gras (blend of bush beans), beet greens, Eastern Magic variety of broccoli, Merlot Napa cabbage, celery, collard greens, cucamelons, ginger, Coastal Star lettuce variety, mini honeydew, mini watermelon, Carmine Splendor variety of okra (red), Poblano peppers, Sugar Rush Cream hot pepper, red potatoes, Yukon potatoes, pie pumpkin, strawberry spinach, patty pan squash, spaghetti squash, acorn squash, two new sweet potato varieties, two new tomato varieties, one new cherry tomato variety, turmeric, and the herb Zaatar.
Last year, Queens Farm harvested 14,000 pounds, 6,900 bunches and 2,700 pints of food and produced 3,500 dozen eggs, 600 pounds of honey, 225 packages of herbal tea and 100 skeins of yarn, all from its own resources. This year, Queens Farm is on track to increase food production by 38%. Queens Farm is hiring seasonal farmers to support its expanded agricultural work this year. Details can be found at queensfarm.org.
Thanks to New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and Commissioner Richard Ball of New York State Agriculture and Markets, Queens Farm will add new acreage into production including 1.6 acres annexed by New York State in 2020 that was part of the farm’s original footprint in 1697. Queens Farm will grow potatoes, pie pumpkins, new varieties of winter squash and new varieties of sweet potatoes on this varied terrain contiguous to Queens Farm.
Queens Farm’s produce is available at its on-site seasonal farmstand and off-site farmstand in partnership with Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. The Jamaica, Queens location was established to bring fresh produce to this noted food swamp. Queens Farm produce travels less than eight miles from field to farmstand. Queens Farm accepts multiple forms of nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP/EBT benefits, WIC, FMNP Checks, Health Bucks, and Fresh Connect Checks at both locations.
Queens Farm is an important service provider to a healthy ecosystem in New York City through pollination, seed disbursement, nutrient recycling, climate regulation and water purification. Its growing fields, farm animals, compost site, apiary and regenerative farming methods work in unison to optimize the 47-acre site. As part of the farm’s expanded agricultural work this year, Queens Farm will broaden its acclaimed STEM based School to Farm Education Program and develop new “student farmer” education programs to cultivate future environmental stewards by introducing youth to career fields in growers, beekeeping and raising backyard hens.
Queens County Farm Museum is located at 73-50 Little Neck Parkway in Floral Park, New York. It is an accessible site with free daily admission 354 days per year. The farm’s seasonal farmstand opens on-site May 12, 2021 and its Jamaica, Queens location will open the week of June 14th, 2021. For more information, go to queensfarm.org.
About Queens County Farm Museum
The Queens County Farm Museum is one of the longest continually farmed sites in New York State dating back to 1697 and the largest tract of farmland in New York City. Queens Farm showcases the 300-year history of agriculture as a way of life in New York City. Queens Farm is a New York City Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. Queens Farm hosts a wide variety of acclaimed education programs and public events. It welcomes over 400,000 visitors a year and serves as a vital resource connecting people to agriculture and the environment.
