New York City Council
Committee on Economic Development
Nov 14, 2024
·
12:30 PM
2 hr 32 min
Summary
A hearing on citywide access to fresh produce and Introduction 693, which proposes converting unused industrial areas into urban agriculture sites.
Discussions focused on:
- Expanding urban farming initiatives
- Improving food access in underserved communities
- Addressing challenges such as land availability, funding, and coordination between agencies
The hearing explored various urban agriculture models, including community gardens, hydroponic systems, and rooftop farms, as well as their potential benefits for food security, education, job creation, and environmental sustainability.
Features testimony from the Mayor's Office of Food Policy, the Office of Urban Agriculture, urban farming organizations, academic institutions, and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Council Member Amanda Farías opens hearing on urban agriculture and food access
Council Member Amanda Farías opens the New York City Council hearing of the Committee on Economic Development, focusing on citywide access to fresh produce and Introduction 693. She outlines the …
0:00:43
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4 min
Council Member Sandy Nurse introduces bill for urban agriculture in unused industrial areas
Council Member Sandy Nurse introduces and explains the context of Intro 693, a bill requiring the Office of Urban Agriculture to create a plan for converting underutilized industrial areas into …
0:05:39
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115 sec
Introduction and background of the Mayor's Office of Urban Agriculture
Qiana Mickie, Executive Director of NYC's Mayor's Office of Urban Agriculture (MOUA), introduces herself and provides an overview of MOUA's mission and responsibilities. - MOUA was established by Local Law …
0:08:10
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90 sec
Types of urban agriculture models in New York City
New York City hosts a diverse range of urban agricultural models, from traditional soil-based community gardens to high-tech controlled environment systems. - Models include soil-based community gardens, urban farms, rooftop …
0:09:42
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60 sec
Post-COVID-19 emphasis on local food production
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of regional and hyperlocal food production, especially for vulnerable communities. - Supply chain disruptions during the pandemic disproportionately affected Black, Brown, and low-income households. …
0:10:42
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47 sec
Initiatives to support local farmers and producers
MOUA is implementing various initiatives to support local farmers and producers, focusing on scaling operations and improving access to procurement opportunities. - MOUA partners with NYC Small Business Services to …
0:11:30
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91 sec
Reimagining Farm to School initiative
The Reimagining Farm to School in NYC initiative is a two-year pilot program designed to increase local food access and education for public school students. - The program provides funding …
0:13:03
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45 sec
Efforts to make local food more affordable and accessible
MOUA is exploring ways to increase affordability and accessibility of local food, with a focus on leveraging existing programs and expanding access points. - New York City has over 100 …
0:13:49
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70 sec
Land access and urban agriculture dashboard
MOUA is working to improve access to underutilized city-owned land for urban agriculture, while balancing other critical land uses such as housing. - The office has created an urban agriculture …
0:15:08
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67 sec
Rooftop urban agrivoltaics pilot
MOUA is launching a rooftop urban agrivoltaics pilot to explore the symbiotic colocation of plants and solar energy production. - The pilot will be launched at a community site in …
0:16:16
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50 sec
Response to Introduction 693
MOUA addresses Introduction 693, which would require the office to create and implement a plan to convert unused industrial areas in each borough into urban agriculture sites. - MOUA is …
0:17:06
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95 sec
Introduction and overview of the Mayor's Office of Food Policy
Council Member Amanda Farías opens the discussion by asking about the main achievements of the Mayor's Office of Food Policy (MOFP) since it was codified into law. Rachel Atcheson, representing …
0:18:44
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127 sec
Food Forward NYC plan and citywide food access initiatives
Rachel Atcheson provides an overview of the Food Forward NYC plan, a 10-year food policy plan launched in February 2021, and highlights significant strides in increasing access to fresh produce …
0:20:52
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158 sec
MOFP coordination with agencies and staffing resources
Council Member Amanda Farías inquires about MOFP's coordination with other agencies and their staffing resources. Rachel Atcheson provides insights into their working relationships and current staff size. - MOFP meets …
0:23:30
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80 sec
MOFP's community engagement and impact measurement
Council Member Amanda Farías asks about MOFP's community engagement strategy and how they measure the combined impact of different food access programs. Rachel Atcheson explains their approach and recent initiatives. …
0:24:50
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3 min
Health Bucks program: Distribution and challenges
Council Member Amanda Farías inquires about the Health Bucks program, including distribution statistics and challenges faced in expanding vendor participation. Rachel Atcheson provides details on the program's reach and ongoing …
0:28:13
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6 min
Measuring progress on Food Forward NYC Plan goals
Council Member Amanda Farías asks about how progress is being measured on the Food Forward NYC Plan's goals related to fresh produce access. Rachel Atcheson provides an update on their …
0:34:26
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55 sec
Barriers to expanding fresh food access and initiatives to address them
Qiana Mickie from the Office of Urban Agriculture discusses various barriers to expanding fresh food access in underserved communities and initiatives to address these challenges. - Key barriers include capacity …
0:35:25
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4 min
FRESH program and potential expansion to cooperatives and farm hubs
Rachel Atcheson and Qiana Mickie discuss the Food Retail Expansion to Support Health (FRESH) program and potential expansions to include cooperatives and farm hubs. - FRESH supports the development and …
0:39:36
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153 sec
Importance of codifying urban agriculture initiatives
Council Member Sandy Nurse explains the rationale behind the proposed bill, emphasizing the need to codify urban agriculture initiatives to ensure their implementation and continuity. - Nurse highlights that urban …
0:42:34
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170 sec
MOUA's approach to land identification and economic opportunities
Qiana Mickie outlines MOUA's approach to identifying suitable land for urban agriculture and fostering economic opportunities through urban agriculture initiatives. - MOUA is aligned with the council on fostering economic …
0:45:24
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3 min
Discussion on available space and cost for urban agriculture initiatives
Council Member Sandy Nurse and Qiana Mickie discuss the challenges of finding affordable space for urban agriculture initiatives, particularly in industrial areas. - Nurse emphasizes the need for affordable space …
0:48:52
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69 sec
Feasibility study with EDC targeting East New York
Council Member Sandy Nurse inquires about the feasibility study mentioned in the October 2023 report, which targets East New York for identifying underutilized city-owned land for urban agriculture. - The …
0:50:01
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134 sec
Potential conflicts between urban agriculture and housing initiatives
Council Member Sandy Nurse raises concerns about potential conflicts between urban agriculture initiatives and the Mayor's Executive Order 43 for identifying housing sites. - Nurse mentions that the bill focuses …
0:52:18
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125 sec
MOUA's strategy for balancing urban agriculture with other city needs
Qiana Mickie outlines MOUA's strategy for integrating urban agriculture with other city priorities and addressing multiple needs simultaneously. - MOUA aims to use urban agriculture as a solution for multiple …
0:54:24
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164 sec
Council Member Vernikov questions MOUA on urban agriculture plan implementation
Council Member Inna Vernikov questions Qiana Mickie, Executive Director of the NYC Mayor's Office of Urban Agriculture, about the implementation of Introduction 693, which requires a plan to convert unused …
0:57:43
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96 sec
Exploring the potential of rooftop urban agriculture in NYC
Council Member Bottcher inquires about the potential for urban agriculture on NYC rooftops, highlighting the underutilized space. Qiana Mickie, Executive Director of MOUA, responds by discussing the feasibility and approach …
0:59:49
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137 sec
Incorporating urban agriculture in NYC public parks
Council Member Bottcher and Qiana Mickie discuss the potential for incorporating urban agriculture in New York City public parks and the collaboration between MOUA and the Parks Department. - MOUA …
1:02:07
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4 min
Expanding urban agriculture through school and learning gardens
Rachel Atcheson and Qiana Mickie discuss the integration of urban agriculture and food education into New York City public schools through school and learning gardens. - The food education road …
1:06:16
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3 min
Council Member Brewer discusses school roof gardens and urban agriculture in education
Council Member Gale A. Brewer highlights successful urban agriculture initiatives in schools, particularly mentioning PS 84's recent grant for apple trees and a full-time gardener. She emphasizes the educational benefits …
1:09:42
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40 sec
Council Member Brewer advocates for chickens in urban gardens
Council Member Brewer expresses her strong support for having chickens in every urban garden. She highlights the benefits of egg production and shows her personal interest in the topic. - …
1:10:21
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14 sec
Discussion on Department of Education's efforts to identify suitable roofs for urban agriculture
Council Member Brewer inquires about the Department of Education's efforts to identify roofs suitable for urban agriculture. Qiana Mickie responds, detailing the collaborative efforts between various agencies to assess potential …
1:10:36
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74 sec
Qiana Mickie explains the Urban Agrivoltaics Pilot Program
Qiana Mickie, Executive Director of the NYC Mayor's Office of Urban Agriculture, describes the Urban Agrivoltaics Pilot Program. This initiative aims to develop feasibility plans for combining urban agriculture with …
1:10:58
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52 sec
Discussion on creating a dashboard for available public buildings for urban agriculture
Council Member Brewer inquires about the existence of a dashboard or report detailing available public buildings for urban agriculture. Qiana Mickie responds that while research is ongoing, a dashboard is …
1:11:49
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32 sec
Discussion on hydroponics in schools and challenges with using produce in school lunches
Council Member Brewer raises concerns about the Department of Education not allowing hydroponically grown produce from schools to be used in student lunches. Qiana Mickie acknowledges the barriers and discusses …
1:12:22
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142 sec
Discussion on local food procurement for schools and city agencies
Council Member Brewer inquires about efforts to increase local food procurement for city agencies, particularly referencing a DCAS law requiring best efforts to purchase locally. Qiana Mickie responds with information …
1:14:45
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68 sec
Discussion on processing facilities for urban and local agriculture
Council Member Brewer inquires about updates on processing facilities for urban and local agriculture, emphasizing their importance for selling produce to schools and other institutions. Qiana Mickie responds with information …
1:15:53
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127 sec
Urban agriculture projects and initiatives facilitated by the Office of Urban Agriculture
Council Member Farías inquires about the number of urban agricultural projects facilitated by the Office of Urban Agriculture since its establishment. Qiana Mickie explains that they have established 7 different …
1:18:09
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157 sec
Process for identifying urban agriculture sites and measuring environmental benefits
Council Member Farías inquires about the process for identifying potential urban agriculture sites and measuring their environmental benefits. Qiana Mickie explains the Office's approach to gathering comprehensive information and measuring …
1:20:47
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91 sec
Ensuring economic sustainability of urban agriculture projects beyond initial funding
Council Member Farías asks how the Office of Urban Agriculture is working to ensure urban agriculture projects are economically sustainable beyond initial grant funding. Qiana Mickie outlines their approach to …
1:22:19
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71 sec
Partnerships developed with agricultural experts and organizations
Council Member Farías inquires about partnerships developed with agricultural experts and organizations. Qiana Mickie describes the various ways the Office engages with stakeholders and supports their work. - The Office …
1:23:31
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97 sec
Role of emerging technologies in New York City's urban agriculture landscape
Council Member Farías asks about the role of emerging technologies like vertical farming in New York City's urban agriculture landscape. Qiana Mickie explains the Office's approach to incorporating these technologies. …
1:25:09
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151 sec
Importance of integrated communication systems in urban agriculture efforts
Council Member Farías emphasizes the importance of integrated communication systems in urban agriculture and food security efforts, drawing from her experiences during the pandemic and current community infrastructure challenges. - …
1:27:40
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93 sec
Reimagining farm to school initiative and connecting urban agriculture partners
Qiana Mickie explains how the reimagining farm to school initiative addresses the need for better connections between urban agriculture partners and supports food sovereignty in New York City. - The …
1:29:13
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123 sec
Food education roadmap and grant distribution to schools
Rachel Atcheson provides information on the food education roadmap and the expansion of grant distribution to schools for urban agriculture initiatives. - Last year, $11,000 in grants were distributed, reaching …
1:31:16
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26 sec
Discussion of apple orchard on school campus and potential for community food forests
Council Member Farías mentions an apple orchard on her school campus, leading to a discussion about its potential and the concept of community food forests. Qiana Mickie provides insights on …
1:31:43
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3 min
NYC School Food EATS program goals and partnerships with urban agriculture
Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez inquires about the goals and long-term vision of the NYC School Food EATS program and its partnerships. Qiana Mickie, Executive Director of the NYC Mayor's Office …
1:35:46
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4 min
Prioritizing communities and schools for urban agriculture initiatives
Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez inquires about the communities and schools being prioritized for urban agriculture initiatives. Qiana Mickie explains the criteria and process for selecting target areas and schools for …
1:40:18
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144 sec
Council Member Gutiérrez advocates for Introduction 693 and urban agriculture planning
Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez expresses her support for Introduction 693 and emphasizes the importance of planning for urban agriculture, despite the administration's stance that legislation may not be necessary. She …
1:42:42
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140 sec
Mapping underutilized city land and criteria for urban agriculture models
Qiana Mickie explains the process of mapping underutilized city land for urban agriculture and discusses the criteria used for identifying urban agriculture opportunities. The office is working on creating a …
1:45:02
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3 min
Council Member Sandy Nurse questions timeline for urban agriculture site criteria
Council Member Sandy Nurse inquires about the timeline for developing criteria to identify and expand urban agriculture sites beyond those already active. Qiana Mickie from the Mayor's Office of Urban …
1:48:36
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161 sec
Soil research collaboration with Cornell University
Council Member Amanda Farías inquires about the collaboration with Cornell on soil research and climate resilience metrics. Qiana Mickie explains the ongoing relationship with Cornell, focusing on soil science and …
1:51:19
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97 sec
Incorporating soil research findings into policy recommendations
Council Member Amanda Farías asks how research findings are incorporated into policy recommendations. Qiana Mickie explains the process of evaluating the soil research results and their potential impact on urban …
1:52:56
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72 sec
Environmental assessments on existing industrial sites
Council Member Amanda Farías inquires about conducting environmental assessments on existing industrial sites, focusing on potential contamination issues and soil remediation. Qiana Mickie outlines the Office of Urban Agriculture's approach …
1:54:09
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75 sec
Criteria for soil remediation and contamination testing
Council Member Amanda Farías seeks clarification on the criteria for conducting research on soil remediation and contamination testing for industrial sites being converted to urban agriculture. Qiana Mickie explains the …
1:55:24
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48 sec
Closing remarks and next steps for urban agriculture initiatives
Council Member Amanda Farías provides closing remarks for the hearing, thanking the participants and outlining next steps for urban agriculture initiatives in New York City. - Plans to follow up …
1:56:12
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49 sec
Testimony by Oliver Gonzalez-Yoakum, Research Associate at Laurie M. Tisch Center For Food Education and Policy, Teachers College, Columbia University
Oliver Gonzalez-Yoakum, a research associate at the Laurie M. Tisch Center For Food Education and Policy, provides testimony on the importance of access to fresh produce and the potential of …
1:58:55
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112 sec
Testimony by Yibing Zhou, Doctoral Student at Laurie M. Tisch Center For Food Education and Policy, Teachers College, Columbia University
Yibing Zhou, a doctoral student at the Tisch Food Center, presents testimony on the importance of access to fresh produce in New York City and the disparities in this access …
2:00:50
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110 sec
Testimony by Christine Torrison, Masters Student at Laurie M. Tisch Center For Food Education and Policy, Teachers College, Columbia University
Christine Torrison, a master's student at the Tisch Food Center, testifies in support of the bill to convert unused industrial spaces into urban agriculture sites in New York City. She …
2:02:41
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112 sec
Testimony by Dr. Natalie Greaves-Peters, Postdoctoral Senior Research Associate at Laurie M. Tisch Center For Food Education and Policy, Teachers College, Columbia University
Dr. Natalie Greaves-Peters, a postdoctoral senior research associate at the Tisch Food Center, testified on the benefits of urban agriculture and its potential to strengthen community resilience, create jobs, and …
2:04:38
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126 sec
Testimony by Megan Nordgrén, Director of Development & Government Relations at NY Sun Works
Megan Nordgrén from NY Sun Works testified about their hydroponic classrooms in NYC public schools, which provide STEM education through urban farming. The organization has partnered with over 350 schools, …
2:07:26
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138 sec
Testimony by Jesse Miller, Farm Manager at Spring Creek Towers Farm
Jesse Miller, Farm Manager at Spring Creek Towers Farm in East New York, Brooklyn, testified about the positive impact of their urban farm on the community. He highlighted how the …
2:10:07
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136 sec
Testimony by Emily Miller, Director of Development and Communications at Teens For Food Justice
Emily Miller from Teens For Food Justice (TFFJ) expressed strong support for Introduction 693, emphasizing the organization's work in combating food insecurity through indoor hydroponic farming in schools. She highlighted …
2:12:27
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127 sec
Testimony by Rae Gomes, Leader of National Black Food and Justice Alliance
Rae Gomes, a food justice organizer and leader from National Black Food and Justice Alliance, spoke in opposition to the proposed bill due to concerns about the process and lack …
2:14:36
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144 sec
Testimony by Beth Bainbridge, Education Programs Director of Sylvia Center
Beth Bainbridge, representing the Sylvia Center, testified in support of the plan to convert unused industrial areas into urban agriculture sites. She emphasized the importance of fresh food access for …
2:17:02
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158 sec
Discussion on using hydroponic produce in school cafeterias
Council Member Gale A. Brewer inquires about the challenges of using hydroponically grown produce in school cafeterias, particularly noting the disconnect between high-quality hydroponic lettuce and subpar salad bars. Representatives …
2:19:49
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125 sec
Council Member Brewer concludes panel discussion
Council Member Gale A. Brewer concludes the panel discussion by asking if there are any other questions from the committee members. - This brief remark serves to wrap up the …
2:21:56
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1 sec
Testimony by Iyeshima Harris-Ouedraogo, Director of Advocacy and Programs at Green Guerillas, on Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens
Iyeshima Harris-Ouedraogo, representing Green Guerillas, testified in support of Intro 693 while raising concerns about challenges faced by community gardens. She emphasized the importance of community gardens to the city's …
2:22:22
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160 sec
Testimony by Joanna Dorsey, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Black Farmers United NYS
Joanna Dorsey, representing Black Farmers United NYS, testified in support of Intro 693, emphasizing the importance of including BIPOC farmers in urban agriculture initiatives. She highlighted the potential for the …
2:25:31
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146 sec
Testimony by Yvonne Saint Luce, Member of the Public
Yvonne Saint Luce, a regular citizen who moved to New York 2 years ago, commends the efforts of the council and expresses support for urban agriculture initiatives. She shares her …
2:28:05
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87 sec
Testimony by Yemi Amu, Urban Farmer, on Urban Agriculture and Land Security
Yemi Amu, a black urban farmer specializing in aquaponics, testified in support of bill 693 (incorrectly referred to as 692 in the transcript) while emphasizing the challenges faced by small-scale …
2:29:43
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134 sec
Acknowledgment of virtual participants and black women farmers
Council Member Amanda Farías expresses gratitude for the virtual participants, with a special emphasis on black women farmers. She acknowledges the importance of their perspective on the hearing topic and …
2:31:58
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16 sec
Closing remarks and future outlook for urban agriculture initiatives
Council Member Amanda Farías concludes the hearing with appreciative remarks and emphasizes the importance of ongoing dialogue. She highlights the community-driven nature of the efforts to address local problems and …
2:32:16
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36 sec
