PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Megan Nordgrén, Director of Development & Government Relations at NY Sun Works
2:07:26
·
138 sec
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, reaching 140,000 students annually, primarily in Title 1 schools and food deserts.
- NY Sun Works' hydroponic classrooms have the capacity to grow 200,000 pounds of vegetables per year
- They have implemented an urban agriculture workforce development program in about 10 high schools
- The organization supports the bill (likely referring to Introduction 693)
Megan Nordgrén
2:07:26
Hi.
2:07:27
Thank you so much.
2:07:30
Oh, thank you, Chairwoman Farias, and, of course, Council Member Brewer, and Council Member Nurse and, Council Member Gutierrez and virtually, Council Member Salamanca.
2:07:40
We've had the pleasure of working with all of you, to bring hydroponic classrooms to your schools over the years.
2:07:47
That was it.
2:07:48
Thank you.
2:07:48
Now.
2:07:49
Thank you.
2:07:51
So, appreciative of the opportunity to speak today and so appreciative of all of your support in the past.
2:07:57
Excited to join our colleagues from the Food Ed Hub to support citywide access to the public schools.
2:08:11
And in these farm classrooms, we are using the hydroponic, technology to classrooms, we are using the hydroponic, technology to educate students and teachers about the science of sustainability and bring quality STEM education through the lens of urban farming.
2:08:20
We envision a generation of environmental innovators empowered to create solutions to our global climate challenges.
2:08:32
And since opening our first hydroponic classroom in 2010 in, the wonderful district 6, we've partnered with over 350 schools, including in all of your districts, reaching more than a 140,000 students annually, in New York and beyond.
2:08:49
And each year, our school partners are training tens of thousands of New York City students.
2:08:55
The vast major majority of whom are in title 1 schools and many who live in food deserts to grow food from seed to harvest.
2:09:03
And these students are then bringing with tremendous pride and joy, these vegetables, the fresh vegetables and fruits that they're growing in their classroom, home to share with their families.
2:09:15
Our hydronic classrooms across the city had the capacity to grow £200,000 of vegetables per year.
2:09:23
Further, our urban agriculture workforce development program that we're implementing in about 10 high schools across the city, is giving the students the skills they need to enter the emerging workforce, and farming industry and green economy.
2:09:39
Thank you.
2:09:41
We support the bill.
2:09:42
Apologies.
2:09:42
I've Thank you.
2:09:44
Please
