Green Valley Farm
Brownsville Institution Saved from $ 1 Sale , Surviving and Thriving in 2017
“ Through this farm , our community and neighbors are benefiting from the land — instead of developers reaping in profits at the expense of our community .” - Brenda Thompson-Duchene , Isabahlia Ladies of Elegance Foundation , Green Valley ’ s lead gardener and farmer ’ s market organizer
This year , our collective advocacy saved a 20 year old community farm and farmer ’ s market space from being sold to a private developer for $ 1 . This was not the first time Brownsville neighbors had to organize to save this vital community space -- 596 Acres had previously supported their organizing to have the space removed from anothe proposed sale by the city .
In January , just days before an eviction deadline , Mayor Bill de Blasio took heed of the powerful resident-led campaign , supported by 596 Acres and the Community Development Project at the Urban Justice Center , and announced that the city would not be destroying Brownsville ’ s Green Valley Farm . Green Valley Farm headed into Spring with a renewed sense of security and purpose , ready to extend the garden to include a new aquaponics system .
“ Green Valley gardeners have been tilling the soil with one hand and reading eviction notices in the other for the last two years . Our victory means we can turn our energy back to healthy foods that help Brooklyn residents thrive and continue to ensure our garden is an oasis for all our Brownsville neighbors and New York City residents .” - Brenda Thompson-Duchene