Queens County Farm Museum (Photo: Courtesy of museum)
Dec. 18, 2019 By Kristen Torres
The Queens County Farm Museum is about to get a tad bigger.
The farm, which is currently 47 acres and located in the Floral Park section of Queens, will be enlarged by 1.6 acres, according to Council Member Barry Grodenchik who advocated for the expansion.
“I’m very happy for the farm — I knew they wanted more land so I worked as a matchmaker between them and the governor’s office to secure it,” Grodenchik said.
The farm is the largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland in New York City and is the longest continuously farmed site in New York State. The site includes historic farm buildings, a greenhouse complex, livestock, farm vehicles, planting fields, an orchard and herb garden.
The New York State Office of Mental Health currently owns the 1.6 acre parcel and agreed to lease it to the farm for crop production. The land was part of the farm’s original footprint back in 1697, according to the farm’s Executive Director Jennifer Weprin.
The farm currently produces 200 different varieties of crops, including potatoes, corn and garlic, alongside herbs and flowers. It’s also home to 270 farm animals.
The farm hosts an average of 400,000 visitors annually – including more than 100,000 students per year.
Grodenchik said that plans are also underway to secure funding for a new educational center at the farm. It will serve as a venue for community classes, such as cooking and quilting.
