Tractor Donation to Queens County Farm Museum: Glen Oaks Village Supports the Farm
On Friday, October 1, 2021 Members of the Board of Directors, management and residents of Glen Oaks Village gathered together at Queens Farm with State Senator John Liu, Council Member Barry Grodenchik and representatives from Congress Member Tom Suozzi and Assembly Member David Weprin’s office for a ceremony donating a 2016 Massey Ferguson agricultural tractor with only 66 hours of use to Queens County Farm Museum.
Built in 1947 adjacent to Queens Farm, Glen Oaks Village is the largest garden apartment residential co-op in New York. Glen Oaks Village could have sold the tractor but instead donated it to support the farm’s largest agricultural expansion since the 1970’s. Queens Farm, farmed since 1697, is a leader in hyper-locally grown food and the ecological well-being of New York City. It is on track to add an additional 5 acres of land into production by 2026.
Glen Oaks Village and Queens County Farm Museum have been neighbors for nearly 75 years. The farm has been a source of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, eggs, honey and public programs with free daily admission 354 days per year.
“We are so grateful to Bob Friedrich, the Board of Directors and the residents of Glen Oaks Village for this generous tractor donation,” said Queens County Farm Museum’s Executive Director Jennifer Walden Weprin. “Queens Farm has been continuously farmed for over three centuries as New York City grew around it. Our relationship with Glen Oaks Village is a testament to our connection to the community.”
“Queens County Farm Museum provides a historical 47-acre respite to the residents of Queens and beyond. The donation of this tractor by the Glen Oaks Village Co-op will allow Queens Farm to continue to educate the community and visitors as to this area’s rich agricultural past and heighten awareness to the importance of sustainable agricultural practices today,” said Congressman Tom Suozzi.
NY State Senator John Liu said, “This shiny red tractor from Glen Oaks Village will help Queens Farm reap a beautiful harvest for years to come. Many thanks to Bob Friedrich and the Board for their thoughtfulness and generosity, and much congratulations to Jen Weprin who has elevated Queens Farm several levels and to founding chairman Jim Trent who had the vision and dedication to Queens Farm since long before tractors were even invented.”
“I thank Glen Oaks Village for generously donating an agricultural tractor to Queens Farm,” said Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik. “New York’s oldest continually farmed land and largest garden apartment complex are perfect neighbors, and today the two strengthened their relationship with this donation. I look forward to seeing even more fresh, local, organic food produced right here in eastern Queens.”
“With each passing decade, the relationship between Queens County Farm Museum and Glen Oaks Village has grown stronger. This tractor donation supports very timely agricultural expansion and demonstrates what strong community ties can do,” said Assemblyman David Weprin.
Queens Farm Board President James Trent noted, “I am thrilled with the gift of this beautiful tractor. This is just the latest show of support that Glen Oaks Village has been demonstrating for years towards Queens Farm. We are great neighbors together.”
