The modern era, enriched with progressive technology, has pushed us away from ever-providing Nature. The metropolitan lifestyle has forced adults and youths to forget about harvesting their own food. Because of this isolation, kids have no idea where the delicious fruit and vegetables come from. Do they come from the supermarket or the farmers’ market, or do the goods just appear from nowhere? Not knowing the general principles of life is frightening. Many economic centers, such as Manhattan, NYC, have taken the responsibility to bring the farm-to-table movement back to life and unite people with the help of one binding link—Nature.
The Beginning of Battery Urban Farm
Manhattan’s one-with-Nature movement was started back in November 2010. Eight students of Millennium High School grasped the importance of organically cultivated food. The Battery Conservancy generously gave land to the Environmental Club students, and with that, the new revolutionary project began. Just a couple of months later, the simple idea of growing our own food blossomed into the agricultural phenomenon in the middle of Manhattan’s concrete desert. Now, this almost six-year-old project keeps steadily progressing, offering hope to future generations.
What is Battery Urban Farm?
Battery Urban Farm represents an agricultural oasis of the Battery Park in downtown Manhattan. The turkey-shaped farm, with its sleek bamboo fence, is an excellent platform for education and socializing. In the time of sowing and harvesting (from April to November), the park offers different activities and programs that adults and kids can indulge in.
Youth Education at the Battery
Battery Urban Farm has a promising future because of its educational purpose. The 352 cubic yards of organic soil represent an excellent opportunity for teachers and group leaders to educate their students about planting, growing, and harvesting vegetables, fruit, and other plants. Educating kids about ecology and the importance of cohabitation between plants and animals—especially bees, and other insects that help fertilize the plants—is crucial. Battery field-trips bring kids of different ages closer to Nature. These one-hour trips are open to all schools and summer camps. Before the visit, every group leader or teacher has to fill out the application form (usually due the middle of February). Many students nowadays have problems finding interesting jobs useful to society. Working on Battery Urban Farm is an opportunity to educate kids about healthy eating habits, and to learn something new, everyday, about our planet and nature.
Public Open Activities
Although the primary purpose of Battery Urban Farm is to educate kids about the essence of life, the park also hosts other activities and events that are open to the public. Open volunteer hours have grasped the interest of many adults that seek the opportunity to escape the busy and stressful work life. Battery Urban Farm welcomes people of all ages to help to maintain and cultivate the garden. Two weeks before the visit, one has to fill out the application form that allows free access to this turkey-shaped farm on any Saturday of your choice. The park also hosts the Parent & Me Camp, which allows every parent of 3-to-6-year-old kids to examine the plants and try the produce.
The most celebrated events of all are the festivals. These take place at the start and the end of the growing season. April’s Earth Festival and October’s Harvest Festival are crowd-gathering occasions that give local people and tourists an opportunity to explore different activities, such as arts and crafts, educational and sports games, and workshops. Most importantly, all of these occasions unite people of different interests and help to promote an environmental awareness and healthy lifestyle.
The Goals of Battery Urban Farm
The goals of Battery Urban Farm are simple and straightforward. The main reason that this project came to life in the first place is because of the students’ persistence to put farming knowledge into practice. The very educational essence of this agricultural oasis has preserved and helped to enlarge the park. Now, the leading goal of the project is to carry forward the tradition of teaching young students basic gardening techniques. As the issue of obesity in the United States has increased, the Battery Urban Farm’s ambition is to educate kids about healthy nutrition. And, Battery’s biggest dream of all is to raise a new, environmentally conscious generation who will help Planet Earth preserve its natural beauty.
Photo Credits
Photos are from The Battery Conservancy – All Rights Reserved
Guest Author Bio
Kevin McNamara
Kevin McNamara is a blogger and content writer. He dreams of becoming a professional writer. He is usually writing at this blog, where you can see his other works. In his free time he enjoys football and travelling. Follow him on Twitter and Google+.
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