Our previous visits (here and here) to Randall's Island have not included a visit to the island's Urban Farm. We remedied that lapse last weekend for the best possible reason: cocktails. Made, naturally, with ingredients grown right on the little farm (little, but bigger than you imagine on first entering) on that little-talked-about but heavily used island at the nexus of Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx.
Just outside the farm, a big party had hired a traditional Mexican band.
But as good as they were, our goal wasn't musical, but agrarian – and bibulous.
The Urban Farm on Randall's Island is an educational one, hosting kids from schools in the surrounding neighborhoods of East Harlem, western Queens, and the Bronx so they can get their hands dirty getting experience and knowledge about how real food is actually grown. It's a laudable mission led by an enthusiastic staff. But a visit here is enlightening and enjoyable for adults too – especially when there's a focus on cocktails and a resplendent spread of snacks (many of the ingredients grown here) to go with it.
A big crowd attended Saturday's event. We got a lesson in cocktail making and made our own delicious La Flor Mayor (an Urban Garden invention) that included elderflower liqueur and fennel syrup, plus fennel fronds for garnish, sourced from the garden.
Afterwards, the farm's manager, the knowledgeable and infectiously friendly Farmer C – one of Park Odyssey's new heroes – gave us a tour of the dozens of crops grown here. There are many vegetables, some fruits, and, surprisingly, rice.
The garlic was ready for harvest.
The crops looked healthy and strong. Even the raspberry bushes, which were dotted with invasive spotted lanternflies, didn't seem to be suffering from the invasive carpetbaggers.
Cabbage and chard were among the many photogenic plantings.
As we walked along the shoreline towards the footbridge that would take us back to Manhattan, this humid and cloudy day, which had threatened storms all along – storms that never came – had lapsed into a beautiful evening.
Wearily we trudged back to Manhattan over the footbridge.
But however you get to the Urban Farm at Randall's Island – on foot, by car, by bike, or by public transportation – you should really go. It's open to the general public on weekends. And if you feel like getting your own hands dirty, you can even volunteer to help out on Sundays from 10 to 1 (no sign-up needed).
All photos © Oren Hope
