City College

SEEDS@CITY — A GROWING PROGRAM

The Seeds@City urban farm is growing in more ways than one. From its humble beginnings as a community garden 11 years ago to now an integral part of the Sustainable Agricultural Program, the farm provides a unique, hands-on learning experience for students pursuing a career in agriculture.

“Seeds@City is a great way for students to get their hands dirty and learn what it takes to grow fresh and delicious produce,” said Erin McConnell, assistant professor for the Sustainable Agricultural Program.

Three farm spaces are located on the City College campus — the Main Farm Site between the R Building and Saville Theatre; the S-Beds, which include three raised garden beds near the S Building; and the Orchard Site behind the Harry West Gym.

The sites, totaling one acre of land, are homes to a diverse array of fruits and vegetables, including kale, collard greens, Swiss chard, broccoli, cabbage, and sugar snap peas. Produce grown and harvested from the Seeds@City urban farm is sold to the campus community at a pop-up farm stand throughout the year.

The Sustainable Agriculture Program, which serves as an outdoor laboratory, offers 10 course topics ranging from vegetable production to soil science, two associate degrees (associate of science in agriculture plant sciences degree for transfer and associate of science in sustainable urban agriculture), and three certificates (Urban Farming Professional, Urban Gardening, and Urban Gardening for the Culinary Arts).

Recently, students have been able to use new facilities in the T Building, including a plant and soil science laboratory, and a kitchen laboratory and classroom space. A new and modern rooftop greenhouse was completed in November and will be fully operational soon. Follow Seeds@ City on Facebook and Instagram.