On Saturday, June 1st, New York City Mayor Eric Adams broke ground on the new $18.2 million Marlboro Agricultural Education Center at the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) Marlboro Houses in Gravesend, Brooklyn. This 9,900-square-foot facility will serve as an urban agriculture education hub, providing the community with sustainable food production, educational programs, and job training opportunities.
The center will feature a rooftop greenhouse capable of supporting fish and plant cultivation, empowering young adults in underserved communities and serving as a learning lab for schoolchildren and visitors. The project, set to be completed by the end of summer 2025, will also include an indoor market for the winter, a teaching kitchen, and a multipurpose room for community programs.
Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of accessible, healthy food for all New Yorkers, saying, “All New Yorkers deserve access to healthy, nutritious food — you can’t have Whole Foods in Park Slope and junk food in Brownsville. This state-of-the-art agricultural education center will help us get closer to that goal, while providing an invaluable, resilient space that will bring sustainable food, jobs, and education to this community.”
Qiana Mickie, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture, highlighted the center’s educational and community benefits, stating, “The Marlboro Agricultural Education Center represents a positive step forward in providing agriculture education for both NYCHA residents and surrounding communities. This state-of-the-art greenhouse facility will include hydroponic and soil-based growing, a teaching kitchen, aquaponics, and an indoor market.”
The project is utilizing the Design-Build method, which accelerates construction by combining the design and construction phases, allowing for faster and more cost-effective project completion. This approach is expected to deliver the center two years ahead of traditional timelines.
The center will provide numerous benefits to the community, including:
- Educational Opportunities: Programs for schoolchildren, teens, and adults, including cooking classes and sustainable food practices.
- Job Training: Internships and training programs to prepare residents for careers in urban agriculture.
- Community Hub: A space for community gatherings, promoting social cohesion and healthy living.
The construction and operation of the Marlboro Agricultural Education Center align with the city’s goals of enhancing food security, promoting environmental sustainability, and providing equitable access to resources for all residents.
