Heritage Farm grows food on Staten Island and composts the campus's organic waste back into the beds that grow it, which is a genuinely closed loop you can walk around in an hour. The tour covers what is in the ground that week, how the compost operation works and why urban farming on this scale is harder than it looks. If you compost at home and have wondered whether it actually scales, this is the version you can ask questions of.
What to expect
A guide walks you through the planting beds and the composting operation, explaining the season's crops and how the farm's soil is built. Expect working farm conditions rather than an ornamental garden, with dirt, tools and beds in various stages. Family-friendly and well under two hours.
Good to know
- Free ferry to St George then the S40 bus to Snug Harbor
- Ten dollars or under; the tour departs from Heritage Farm
- Wear shoes you do not mind getting muddy
- Working farm ground, so paths are uneven in places
- Good for families and for anyone who composts at home
- The Heritage Farm Stand on the same site sells what is harvested
Get Saturday planned every Thursday
One email a week — the best of the NYC weekend board. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Common questions
Is this a working farm?
Yes. Heritage Farm actively grows food on the Snug Harbor campus, and the tour covers the crops in the ground.
What is the compost part?
The site composts organic waste and returns it to the growing beds; the tour explains how that operation works.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, it is family-friendly, though the ground is uneven working farmland.
More this weekend
