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1 | queens county farm museum
FY20
queens county farm museum , like our
We are grateful for the support of New York City Mayor
cultural peers across New York City, ended FY20 in
Bill de Blasio, NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson,
a much different place than planned. We lost over
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Queens Borough
150,000 visitors due to Covid business closures, but
President Melinda Katz and Interim Borough President
this past year is not about what we lost — it’s about
Sharon Lee, NYC Council Queens Delegation led by
what we gained. We operated fully for about three-
Delegation Chair Council Member Karen Koslowitz,
fourths of the year. We connected with new funders
NYC Council Member Barry Grodenchik, NYC Council
and deepened relationships with existing supporters.
Member Robert Holden, NYC Council Member Peter
We continued to develop Board governance best
Koo, NYC Council Member Costa Constantinides, NYC
practices working toward diversity, equity and inclusion.
Council Member Francisco Moya, New York State Senator
We found new community partners and strengthened
John Liu, Assembly Member David Weprin, Governor
existing relationships. We were awarded additional
Andrew M. Cuomo and New York State Department of
capital funds to support the farm’s planned Education
Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball.
Center bringing the total secured over $15 million meeting the threshold to begin work on Phase 1 of the project.
Queens County Farm Museum connects visitors to
In addition, we were awarded the largest amount of
agriculture and the environment through the lens of
New York City Council discretionary funding in the
this 47-acre historic site creating learning opportunities
farm’s history. We annexed 1.6 acres of land that were
about biodiversity, health and wellness, climate change
part of Queens Farm’s original footprint in 1697. And,
and New York City history. Queens Farm is a vital and
in the face of adversity created by this public health and
rare resource for an ever-changing city and beyond.
economic crisis, we found how nimble and creative we are as a team to continue to serve our community and offer enrichment and engagement during a very
We will continue our work together to serve our community. Join us on this journey.
difficult period. James A. Trent Board President
Jennifer Walden Weprin Executive Director
queensfarm.org | 2
Our Impact FY20 Attendance Virtual Learning Impressions
201,693
Farm Events
167,985 Education
529,219 total attendance
89,812
13,959 lbs. of produce harvested
General
69,892
80,031 School-to-Farm visitors 6,879 bunches harvested
2,672
pints harvested
3 | queens county farm museum
22,500 pounds of compost collected
More than
270
farm animals
cared for
200+ varieties
of fruits, vegetables & flowers grown
Nutrition Assistance Programs represented
10%
of farmstand sales
582 volunteer hours logged 1,278 historic house tours of the 1772 Adriance Farmhouse 1,822 pounds of produce and 660 dozen eggs donated queensfarm.org | 4
Year in Review
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New York City Arts & Culture Queens County Farm Museum is a promoter of information through public education and action. Queens Farm is open to the public with free admission 354 days per year. Visitors representing the diverse population of New York City and beyond learn and advocate through all aspects of Queens Farm: the growing fields, farm animals, apiary, compost area, herb garden, pollinator garden, pumpkin patch, windmill, historic house and paddocks. Together, these elements connect visitors to the food they eat and the science of farming, the environment and New York City history through school visits, public events, adult education programs, historic house tours, seasonal farmstands, composting programs and volunteer events. Queens Farm hosted 18 public programs and events this past year designed to engage the public and provide rich cultural experiences, connecting visitors to the farm’s mission and history. These quintessential New York City events — some of which have been presented for almost 40 years — reflect the seasonality of farm life and connect visitors to the farm, the agrarian roots of NYC and its impact on the city today.
summer kitchen reading room Thanks to the generous support of Con Edison, Queens County Farm Museum is turning its Summer Kitchen structure into a reading room. The Reading Room sponsored by Con Edison will increase the farm’s capacity to educate the public and activate a new building for public use. This project was developed to offer more daily programming during the winter months, increasing the farm’s capacity serving adults, youth and families. The building is 12’2” x 16’2” and sits nestled adjacent to the historic Adriance Farmhouse. The Reading Room will feature books (both fiction and nonfiction) and magazines related to cooking, gardening, health and wellness, farming science and New York City history — all thematically tied to the mission of Queens County Farm Museum. Queens Library is a programmatic supporter of the project providing space planning expertise, access to the library’s e-collection via Wi-Fi and serving as a marketing partner of the program. Additionally, Penguin Random House Foundation has donated a starter set of books to support the project. Queens Farm is planning for a 2021 opening.
FY20 Programs & Events 1 Farmstand 2 Farmstand at Jamaica Hospital 3 Volunteer Days 4 Thunderbird American Indian Powwow 5 Antique Motorcycle Show 6 Queens County Fair 7 Blue Ribbon Competition 8 The Amazing Maize Maze 9 Maze by Moonlight 10 Harvest Weekends 11 Pumpkin Patch 12 Haunted Farmhouse 13 Children’s Halloween Festival 14 Wildlife Weekends 15 Food Drive 16 18th Century Tavern Nights 17 Holiday Market 18 Holiday Open House
the unisphere spotted in northeast queens The Unisphere is no longer exclusive to Flushing Meadows Corona Park! An amazing engineering feat transformed the Unisphere, the symbol of Queens, into a three-acre labyrinth made out of corn. The 37th Annual Queens County Fair served as the inaugural weekend for the Amazing Maize Maze sponsored by Con Edison. County Fair-goers earned bragging rights to be the first to navigate New York City’s only corn maze and this historic landmark. Martha Stewart named Queens Farm’s Amazing Maize Maze this year one of “Four Epic Corn Mazes.” A record 22,000 visitors found their way to Victory Bridge to complete the maze.
queensfarm.org | 6
School-to-Farm Education This past year, over 80,000 of the farm’s annual visitors were students who participated in its acclaimed School-to-Farm Education Program. These students come from every New York City Council District in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. Often, their visit to Queens Farm is their first visit to a working farm. Queens Farm serves 54% of Queens elementary schools that serve NYCHA communities (NYC public housing), 51% in Manhattan, 40% in Brooklyn and 36% in the Bronx. A total of 50% of School-to-Farm Education programs were hosted July – March. The remaining half were canceled due to Covid-19 business closures.
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Adult Education Programs
stem learning grows at queens farm Queens County Farm Museum expanded its STEM camp program in partnership with New York City Department of Education. This is the third year that Queens Farm has partnered with the DOE on STEMsation serving 3rd through 8th graders. The farm doubled attendance due to increased demand for the program. Campers immersed themselves in programming on what it takes to be a farmer — learning about food systems, crop seasonality, season extension, and sustainable farming practices. Hands-on daily projects in the growing fields focused on different aspects of farming, including: growing crops, caring for animals, building compost, and cooking meals in the historic farmhouse. Through this creative design project, STEM learning came to life as campers explored the planning needed to grow a successful farm. A succession of daily activities guided campers through the stages of breaking down their meals to learn what’s in their food, selecting crops, determining locations for planting and livestock pastures, and calculating how much they would need to grow to sustain their family if they lived at Queens Farm. By the end of the program campers submitted a finished design plan for their farm and presented it to their families on the last day of camp.
queensfarm.org | 8
#barncam
#barncam virtual learning On March 16, 2020, Queens Farm closed to the public due to Covid-19 business closures. In order to continue to serve the community it immediately launched #barncam on March 23rd on its social media channels to give Queens Farm followers a chance to turnip and tune-in daily at 4:00pm for an insider’s look at Queens Farm. The program was designed to connect people to the farm and to each other. Content included a view of the historic site through the farmer’s perspective – from plants & ecology to livestock to NYC history since visitors could not walk the site and watch the seasons unfold in person. Content included recipes, craft and cooking tutorials, farm animal videos, photos, how-to’s for being at home and story time for kids, all of which were provided remotely by the Queens Farm’s staff. Queens Farm created over 100 consecutive #barncam posts.
9 | queens county farm museum
Agriculture and the Environment new york state agriculture commissioner announced expansion of queens county farm museum On December 17, 2019, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced the restoration of 1.6 acres of land to Queens County Farm Museum. This land was part of the farm’s original footprint in 1697. This expansion supports the farm’s planned growth. This expansion will increase the area used for crop production by more than 30 percent, allowing the farm to grow more food and continue its work to bring more fresh produce to hungry New Yorkers. The announcement came on the heels of an agreement between Queens Farm and the New York State Office of Mental Health, which owns the property and has agreed to lease it for crop production. The addition of the plot of land will enable the farm to expand on the 200 varieties of crops it currently produces, including garlic, potatoes, winter squash and sweet potatoes.
a farm grows in queens
NYS Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball December 17, 2019 at 10:00 am
queensfarm.org | 13
queens farm proudly debuts largest, single apiary in nyc Queens County Farm Museum is now home to the largest single apiary in New York City continuing a 40-year history of honey bee pollination at Queens Farm. This new project is in partnership with Cornell University’s Dyce Lab for Honey Bee Studies and Andrew Coté of Andrew’s Honey, New York City’s leading Beekeeper. Currently housing thirty colonies, Queens Farm is now home to over two million honey bees. This new exhibition and demonstration site will become a model for teaching, learning, research, pollination and honey on a scale unmatched in New York City. The project, in part, includes beehives that once adorned the tops of the InterContinental New York Barclay, Brooks Brothers and the New York Institute of Technology, displaced due to COVID-19 building and business closures. These bees have found a refuge at Queens Farm. With
11 | queens county farm museum
the newly expanded apiary, Queens Farm will increase the rate of pollination at the farm and surrounding area and build the farm’s production of honey tenfold to about 3,000 pounds per year. It will expand learning opportunities for students, families and adults by 35%, introduce new STEM curriculum as part of the farm’s acclaimed School-to-Farm Education Program and reimage its adult education programs including Bee Keeping 101 and Urban Beekeeper. As part of its public programming, Queens Farm hosts a live BeeCam every Wednesday to showcase the farm’s busy bees.
december
to benefit Queens College Food Pantry queensfarm.org
food drive supports cuny students In December 2020, Queens Farm continued its work to feed New Yorkers after the growing season ended by sponsoring its first food drive to support the Queens College’s Knights Table Food Pantry which helps support food insecure students. Food insecurity is defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as having limited access to adequate food due to a lack of money or other resources. 42% of all first-time CUNY freshmen come from households with incomes of $20,000 or less, and nearly eight in 10 received free breakfasts and lunches during their years attending New York City public schools. Queens Farm encouraged visitors, neighbors and the general public to stop by the Farm Store and drop off packaged, shelf-stable, healthy food throughout the month of December. Over 40 bags of food were collected to serve this community in need.
queensfarm.org | 12
new york community trust animal welfare grant Queens Farm is the only farm in New York City that houses a full range of livestock including heritage and rare breed farm animals — 270 farm animals in total, including steer (Dexter), goats (La Mancha, Saanan and Nubian/Toggenburg mix), alpaca (Huacaya), sheep (Cormo, Costwold, Romney), pigs (Berkshire) and hens (Red Star). The livestock program is a central part of Queens Farm’s programming, integral to its major annual events, visitor and educational programs. Thanks to the generous support of New York Community Trust’s Animal Welfare Grant, Queens Farm can create a new mobile chicken coop, all-season mobile shelter for alpaca and new winter shelter for sheep. Purchase of new animal handling systems and structural enhancements to pastures are supported by the grant in addition to continued animal care.
13 | queens county farm museum
Queens Farm Agricultural Product Sales
eggs
3,478
New Crops Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Rabe Cheese Pepper Garlic Green Zebra Tomato Mini Cantaloupes Thai Chili Pepper Tomatillo Red Ursa Kale more disease resistant
dozen
Crop Plan vegetables
teas
225
packages
wool
100 skeins
Bush Bean: Maxibel Beets: Merlin, Red Ace, Boro Broccoli: Diplomat, Arcadia, Piracicaba (broccolini), Spring Raab (broccoli raab) Napa Cabbage: Minuet Swiss Chard: Bright Lights Cucumber: Lemon, Green Finger, Diva, Manny Eggplant: Galine, Dancer Fennel: Preludio, Finale Ground Cherry: Aunt Molly’s Kale: Red Russian, Winterbor, Toscano Kohlrabi: Kohlibri, Winner Lettuce: Winter Density, Magenta, Panisse, Adriana, Nancy, Green Forest, (heads), Sulu, Flashy Trout, Lollo Rosso, Tamarindo, Panisse (loose leaf grown in cold frames) Mesclun mix: Red Russian Kale, Arugula, Mizuna, Rose, Scarlet Frills, Golden Frills, Tatsoi Okra: Clemson Spineless Onions: Purplette Cippolini, Shimonita Peas (snap): Oregon Giant Pepper (hot): Hungarian Hot Wax, Joe’s Long (cayenne), Bhut Jholakia (ghost pepper), Peach Habanero, Capperino (cherry pepper), Fatali, Jalafuego (jalapeno), Craig’s Grande (jalapeno)
Pepper (sweet): Jimmy Nardello, Lunchbox, Shishito, Mellowstar (Shishito) Radish: Rover, Easter Egg, Sora, Cherriette Spinach: Bloomsdale, Carmel, Gazelle, Emperor Summer Squash: Noche Winter Squash: Metro PMR (butternut), JWS (butternut), Delicata JS (delicata) Sweet Potato: Beauregard, Murasaki Tomato: Hungarian Heart, Striped German, Rose, Trophy, Eva Purple Ball, Green Zebra, Cherokee Purple, Moonglow, Amish Paste, Sungold (cherry tomato) Turnip: Hakurei
herbs Basil: Eleonora, Aroma, Tulsi (aka: holy basil) Chamomile Cilantro: Calypso Lemongrass Sweet Marjoram Parsley: Giant of Italy (flat leaf) White Sage Shiso Skullcap Peppermint Garden Mint Lemon Balm Lemon Verbena
queensfarm.org | 14
Covid and Beyond From the onset of Covid-19 business closures, Queens Farm began to plan for its reopening. It ended the fiscal year preparing to open its office space under Phase 2 of New York Forward Covid Guidelines and awaited information regarding Phase 4 Low Risk Outdoor Arts & Entertainment reopening dates as determined by New York State. Although Queens Farm was closed to the public since March, essential staff continued to care for the agricultural operations and the historic site. Queens Farm was unable to sell its harvested produce and eggs since its farm store and farmstand were closed. After connecting with the Pomonok Houses Food Pantry in Flushing, the farm donated 660 dozen eggs and 1300 pounds of food from March through June. Covid created new connections and resources for Queens Farm. The foundation community organized to provide support for the cultural community, of which Queens Farm was a recipient thanks to New York Community Trust Covid Relief Grant. Additionally, Queens Farm received a PPP Loan and will apply for loan forgiveness. Queens Farm’s peer group expanded among organizations that manage parks and opens spaces around New York City and cultural organizations of all disciplines. The mantra “We’re in this together” has been the theme as Queens Farm supports the community it serves and networks to continue to develop best practices and creative solutions.
We’re in 15 | queens county farm museum
n this together. queensfarm.org | 16
Queens Farm Word on the Street 247 travel guides 6sqft am new york blank slate media cbs new york curbed ny epoch times fox 5 news gothamist interview magazine martha stewart metro mommy poppins morning ag clips new york metro parents the new york times next city newsday new york post ny1 nycgo patch politico queens chronicle the queens courier queens daily eagle queens gazette queens parent time out new york thrillist today.italy travel awaits untapped new york the wall street journal western queens gazette world journal yahoo! life
Queens Farm Offers Colonial Dining Without Electricity. It Sells Out Lightning Quick. A hot ticket in New York City each fall is an event that transports its audience to Revolutionary times and involves plenty of theater—and it isn’t Hamilton. City folk are filling up a limited engagement 18th-century tavern dinner that is held by candlelight and features food cooked over an open fire in a 1772 farmhouse in Queens.”
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Four Epic Corn Mazes That Are Worth Visiting this Fall
“
One of this country’s first-ever agrarian fairs took place in Queens in 1693. Keep the tradition alive at the Queens County Farm Museum’s 37th-annual Queens County Fair. – Gothamist
”
Corn Field Maze Employees Share Their Plan for an Alien Invasion
“The Queens County Farm Museum, which cultivates nearly 14,000 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables a year, on Tuesday, Dec. 17 announced a 1.6-acre
Enjoy a Taste of Nature Thanks to Queens Farm’s Daily #barncam
expansion to its historic 47-acre site to continue its mission of feeding hungry New Yorkers.” – Queens Chronicle
“Currently housing thirty colonies, when complete, the apiary will hold 50 beehives that will be home to over two million bees. This project will continue a 40-year history of honey bee pollination at Queens Farm.” – Morning Ag Clips queensfarm.org | 18
Statement of Activities FY20
2020
Without Donor Restrictions
2019
With Donor Restrictions Total
Total
revenue Educational tours and seminars Special events Museum shop and vending machine sales Produce and livestock sales Memberships Investment income Total Revenue
$
914,765 629,358 98,123 326,782 18,446 3,787 1,991,261
$
- - - - - - -
$ 914,765 629,358 98,123 326,782 18,446 3,787 1,991,261
$
1,239,170 709,372 108,311 362,404 26,970 8,056 2,454,283
750 14,181 642,180 657,111 2,648,372
886,148 - (642,180) 243,968 243,968
886,898 14,181 - 901,079 2,892,340
448,388 13,190 461,578 2,915,861
1,032,119 407,022 645,107
- - -
1,032,119 407,022 645,107
1,229,193 471,792 750,080
483,049 7,996 2,575,293 73,079
- - - 243,968
483,049 7,996 2,575,293 317,047
562,624 9,000 3,022,689 (106,828)
1,699,513
-
1,699,513
1,806,341
support Grants Contributions Net assets released from restrictions Total Support Total Revenue and support
expenses Program Services Educational Events Agricultural Supporting Services Management and general Fundraising Total Expenses Changes in Net Assets
net assets Beginning of the Year, restated End of Year
19 | queens county farm museum
$
1,772,592
$
243,968
$
2,016,560
$
1,699,513
farm support & revenue Special Events
33% 25%
Government Support & Grants
27%
Education
Produce & Livestock Sales
10% 4% 1% -% -%
Museum Shop Membership Investment Income Contributions
farm expenses
Education Agriculture Management & General Special Events Fundraising
40% 25% 19% 16% -%
Board of Directors
QCFM Staff
James A. Trent President
Jennifer Walden Weprin Executive Director
Melanie Pylarinos Farm Manager
Alexandra Abate Director of Education
Ashley Mazzella Livestock Manager
Anne Alleva Director of Agriculture
Eliza Kimberly Seasonal Farmer
Sarah Meyer Director of Communications & Sales
Emma Chapman Seasonal Farmer
Robert J. Bishop, Esq. Vice President Legal Affairs Dr. Marcia Rudy Vice President Board Development John Sandmann Treasurer
Eugene Andreassi Doris Bodine Italo DiModica Gerri Jackson-Wyatt Helene Kornstein Stuart M. Nachmias Steven Perry Margaret Polino
Ann Moynagh General Secretary
Kathleen A. Sciortino
Thomas J. Diana, P.E. Sergeant-at-Arms
Dr. Neal Vichinsky
Hon. Melinda Katz* Queens Borough President
Samuel Shapiro, Chair Christina M. Wilkinson Melissa Young Edward Zebrowski, Jr.
Gary Mitchell Director of Operations Laila Lamniji Director of Finance
Kristen Himmelberg Market Coordinator Zora Levkovsky Market Coordinator Diane Squillari Program Assistant Steven Eftimiades Caretaker
John Krawchuk* NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Delegate to the Commissioner *Ex-Officio queensfarm.org | 20
Thank You
to our growing family for planting the seeds to success...
Con Edison The Benevity Community Impact Fund Bloomberg Philanthropies Cohen Children’s Hospital Kohl’s Cares Grant Euler-Revaz Family Foundation The Hyde and Watson Foundation Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Joan and Norman Bluestone Foundation Kaufman Astoria Studios New York Community Trust Animal Welfare Grant New York Community Trust Covid Relief Fund New York State Agriculture & Markets One Point of Light Foundation The Richard and Elizabeth Boggio Foundation Ace Party & Tent Rental Bridge & Tunnel Brewery Glen Oaks Village Owners, Inc. Historic House Trust of NYC Minuteman Press of Bellerose Newton Shows New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo NYS Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball
Mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio NYC City Council Speaker Corey Johnson New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Queens Borough President Melinda Katz Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee NYC City Council Queens Delegation NYC Council Member Barry Grodenchik NYC Council Member Costa Constantinides NYC Council Member Robert Holden NYC Council Member Karen Koslowitz NYC Council Member Francisco Moya State Senator John Liu NYS Assemblymember David Weprin Stuart Nachmias James Trent Dr. Neal Vichinsky Robert Bishop Italo Dimodica Mary Galloway Carolee Hillenbrant Gerry Jackson-Wyatt Helene Kornstein Kay McCartney Marrgaret Polino John Sandman Kathy Sciortino
And all of our individual donors, members and volunteers 21 | queens county farm museum
queens county farm museum 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, New York 11004 queensfarm.org Queens County Farm Museum is operated by Colonial Farmhouse Restoration Society of Bellerose, Inc.