Lessons from NYC: Days 4, 5 & 6

Journal entries chronicling my reflections & recollections from my class at Barnard College which examines the food system of NYC and the broader region through a sustainable farming, policy-forward lens.

07.28.2026

South of Manhattan, my class and I took a trip to Governers' Island today and visited GrowNYC's Teaching garden. Large and spacious, not only did we get to learn and explore from the farmers and teachers helping on the farm, but enjoy the island's landscape and time away from the hustle and bustle of the City.

"Today, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to travel to Governors Island to have a more detached agriculture experience from the traditional New York City life I have been enjoying the past week. The experience was overall, quite relaxing, and forced me to reflect on some barriers I had encountered in city agriculture and compare it with more suburban/rural models, such as that in my home region.

Unlike the tight, vertical constraints of urban plots, my home community thrives on a circular, community-based agricultural system. For instance, right next to my neighborhood, Granny May’s Strawberry Farm and stand allows residents to buy directly from the source, which minimizes supply chain waste and fostering immediate local connection. I also recognize my experience may not be representative of all experiences In suburban and rural communities— living in a wealthy, fertile region with beautiful landscapes and a rich agriculture presence definitely contributes to by viewpoint.

What was especially enlightening was the Farm Education Lead’s conversation about indigenous people and their land rights. I was shocked to hear that they had self-sustained for 10,000 years before colonizers forced them out of their land. Additionally, I was surprised to hear how remnants of their legacy and treatment are still visible in modern city life, such as the name “Wall Street”’s reference to a physical barrier trapping out the natives.

Lastly, I was empowered and hopeful to hear about the farm’s education campaigns. Knowing that they expose low-income children (who may not have the opportunities to experience the abundance in space that I have enjoyed and learned from in my lifetime) was a profound reminder of why equitable climate and food education matters in terms of the long-term."