About 600 urban farmers are being evicted from their Williamsburg plot by Two Trees Management without enough time to harvest their last batch of crops. The farmers, working for Oko Farms, have been using Two Trees’ vacant plot since May 2021 as part of a deal that granted them free rent but allowed the real estate company to give them three months’ notice to vacate the land. In August, the farmers were informed that they needed to leave by November, leaving them without enough time to reap the benefits of their harvest.
Oko Farms, which provides fresh produce to low-income Brooklynites, uses a unique aquaponic system that relies on fish waste to fertilize plants. This closed-loop system helps to filter water for the fish and uses 80% less water than traditional soil farming. The group has been facing challenges with land access since its inception, as urban farming often struggles with securing land. Oko Farms is appealing to Two Trees to reconsider the sudden eviction and allow them to stay through the mid-winter, giving them more time to harvest their crops and find a new location for their operations.
While Two Trees has offered an extra week on the plot and storage for the group’s equipment until March, they have stated that extending the lease is not feasible due to the upcoming construction on the site. Two Trees is preparing to begin construction on the last building at the Domino development, which will consist of luxury waterfront apartments, including affordable housing units. The new building is part of the River Ring development, which will include beaches and a nature walk, with most of the planned units being sold at market rate.
The eviction of the farmers marks the second time in 10 years that Oko Farms has been forced to move, with their original location in Bushwick operating for a decade before moving to the Williamsburg lot last year. The sudden eviction highlights the challenges that urban farmers face in securing and maintaining land for their operations. Oko Farms plays a vital role in providing fresh produce to low-income communities in Brooklyn and their eviction could impact the availability of locally grown food for those in need. The group is hopeful that Two Trees will reconsider their decision and allow them to continue their operations until a new location can be secured.
The abrupt termination of the lease has left the farmers in a difficult position, as they will now have to quickly pack up and move without being able to harvest the remaining crops. Oko Farms is a volunteer-based organization that relies on community support to operate, and the eviction has disrupted their ability to provide fresh produce to those in need. The farmers are calling for more support for urban farming initiatives and greater access to land for sustainable agriculture projects to ensure the continued availability of fresh, locally grown produce in urban areas like Brooklyn.
