Bowery Mission Rooftop Farm

The Bowery is derived from the Dutch word Bouwerij, which translates to “farm.” For the second year running, the 133-year-old Bowery Mission is embracing such roots by tending to a six-story-high rooftop farm all its own. Self-sustenance is one of the goals here, to help supplement their kitchen.

Dreamed up by Director of Operations Matt Krivich, the Lower East Side anchor first started growing the garden last summer. In fact, the inauguration was during the Festival of Ideas for the New City. Homeless transients lodging there seem to enjoy the gardening duties. Krivich noted at the time that “many of the homeless men here take tremendous satisfaction cultivating the farm. It’s rewarding for them to learn to contribute to a steady, sustainable supply of fresh food.”

The cultivating continues this year with even more farming. ABC reports that seeds planted this spring are already producing peppers, eggplant, and squash. Thanks to a generous $30,000 onetime grant from the United Way, the Bowery Mission was able to construct the farm.