There is a working one-acre farm on Randall's Island, in the water between Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx, and on Sundays it needs hands. You do real chores — bed prep, weeding, harvest — and work the five-bin compost system with the NYC Compost Project and Big Reuse, which is where the farm's soil actually comes from. If you want a day that ends with dirt under your fingernails and the Hell Gate Bridge overhead, take this.
What to expect
Meet at the Urban Farm and get assigned whatever the farmers need that day: bed prep, weeding, harvesting or turning compost. It runs several hours outdoors in full sun with tools provided. Expect a small group rather than a crowd, since the farm caps unbooked parties at five people and asks larger groups to arrange it in advance.
Good to know
- Walk the 103rd Street footbridge from East Harlem, or take the M35 bus from 125th Street; the farm is signposted from the island paths.
- New volunteers must register through the organizer's page before turning up.
- Wear closed shoes and clothes you do not mind ruining, and bring water and sunscreen.
- Under-16s need an adult volunteering with them, and 16- and 17-year-olds need a signed waiver.
- Groups larger than five have to email the park alliance in advance rather than just arriving.
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Common questions
Do I need farming experience?
No. The farmers assign the tasks and show you how; new volunteers turn up every week and are the norm.
Is it free?
Yes. It is volunteer work on a public park farm, not a paid program, though new volunteers do have to register first.
Can I bring my kids?
Yes, with an adult volunteering alongside anyone under 16. Teens aged 16 and 17 can come alone if a parent has signed the waiver.
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