La Finca Del Sur, an emerging woman-operated sustainable urban farm in the South Bronx, will host it’s official debut to the South Bronx community with a family friendly open farm day festival and fundraiser on August 15, 2009 from 12-5pm.
“An open farm day festival is a fun and exciting way to introduce community farming and the health benefits of local, affordable farm-fresh organic food to the South Bronx community,” said Nancy Ortiz-Surun, a South Bronx resident via Puerto Rico and La Finca Del Sur farmer. “I’m proud and honored to witness the beautiful transformation of La Finca Del Sur and all the hard work and dedication the women contributed to make this dream a reality in the South Bronx.”
The fun-filled day will consist of live music & poetry performances from well-known Bronx artists such as Bobby Gonzales, open mural painting, and children’s face-painting and interactive storytelling. In addition, there will also be free urban farming workshops such as pickling, beekeeping and composting.
Guest speaker Annie Novak, co-founder of Eagle Street Rooftop Farm, (a 6000-square-foot rooftop farm in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and Garden Coordinator for New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx) will discuss the “growing” movement of urban farming in New York City and the benefits of supporting local community farms.
“As a women operated urban farm, Annie Novak’s story is such an inspiration to us,” says Regina Ginyard, Community Organizer & Media Coordinator for La Finca Del Sur/South Bronx Farmers. “We’re delighted to serve as role models in the urban farming movement and female entrepreneurs to young women of color within our communities. Our story is unique, our community is unique, our farm is unique and therefore, the services and classes we plan to offer will be uniquely tailored to meet the multi-cultural, multi-generational nutrition and health needs of the South Bronx community. It’s been alot of hard work and preparation but finally, we feel like the big day has arrived“.
Directions:
Fast and easy commute to La Finca Del Sur/South Bronx Farm: 1st stop after 125st on the 4 or 5 express train. Take the 4 or 5 train to 138th st & Grand Concourse stop.Walk out the station then walk across the street. The farm is located right next to the Major Deegan Expressway & beginning of Grand Concourse).
