The Queens County Farm Museum, located on Little Neck Parkway, has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the Richmond County Savings Foundation that will be used to cultivate additional crops and buy new farm equipment.
The grant will help the museum plant crops on an additional five acres of land and with the purchase of a high tunnels and new agricultural equipment.
The Richmond County Savings Bank first opened in Staten Island and established the foundation in 1998. The foundation has been providing what is known as Innovation Grants to community organizations such as the farm museum since.
Queens County Farm Museum sits on 47-acres of farmland dating back to 1697 and grows more than 200 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. It also hosts a number of educational programs and public events about the history of farming and agriculture in New York.
Jennifer Walden, executive director of Queens County Farm Museum, said that organization is deeply honored and excited to receive the RCSF Innovation Grant.
“This marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to advancing Queen Farm’s community impact. RCSF’s support will help amplify our efforts in sustainable agriculture and expand our public service and improve the health and wellness of New Yorkers,” she said.
Queens County Farm operates local farm stands at Queens Borough Hall and at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and an additional site at the farm, where people can purchase fresh produce grown on its land.
The farm museum has received a number of grants in addition to the Innovation Grant in recent times, including the Whole Foods Foundation’s Community First Grant. It has also received the financial support of Northwell Health.
Northwell Health is a private healthcare system and employer and supports the organization’s Farm-to-Table Wellness program. The program has brought cooking education, tastings and demos with a registered dietitian to the on-site farm stand.
Cesar J. Claro, executive director of RCSF, said that the foundation is proud to support the Queens County Farm Museum in its expansion.
“With this expansion, Queens Farm is on the precipice of exponential growth to expand services to the public, through helping to fight food insecurity for low-income New Yorkers, provide job training, increase employment opportunities, and offer educational/cultural programming,” he said.
Queens County Museum is open seven days a week and offers free admission, for more information visit their website.
