D&R Greenway News

D&R Greenway Transitions Leadership of Urban Farm to New Local Nonprofit

Princeton, NJ — August 26, 2020

Mission Accomplished: Capital City Farm Grows into a Healthy, Vital Place — A New Life for Capital City Farm, Trenton’s Food Oasis
Princeton: ~ D&R Greenway has permanently preserved over 30 farms in the Garden State, totaling 8,500 acres.  Yet there is something very special about the smallest of them all, the 2-acre Capital City Farm in Trenton.

Too many city neighborhoods are “food deserts” without ready access to fresh food.  Once a trash-strewn lot, Capital City Farm has become a food oasis in Trenton, following D&R Greenway’s preservation of the property in 2014. Over the past six years, we saw a good idea flourish and grow.

D&R Greenway spearheaded preservation after learning the land was to be sold for a tow yard, alerted by a volunteer at the adjacent Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) .  We envisioned an urban farm to beautify the neighborhood and uplift patrons of TASK and the nearby homeless shelter.
How Capital City Farm Happened
 
D&R Greenway negotiated for preservation, acquired the land with Mercer County funds, and transferred ownership to the City of Trenton.
Following the closing, we managed the clean up of the site; secured funds to hire farm staff, build fencing and a hoop house, establish irrigation and refrigeration; sowed seeds for vegetable crops and planted an orchard; provided free healthy produce to TASK and neighbors; and provided support to nourish development of the new nonprofit.

The project won the 2016 Smart Growth Award from New Jersey Future (see page 4 of our 2016 newsletter). Our Vision is now realized with transition of CCF to the newly formed nonprofit Garden State Agrihood.

“For the past two growing seasons, with farm leadership provided by Beth Feehan, Garden State Agrihood has successfully grown crops, welcomed neighbors and local children, and improved on what we started. This is the best outcome. CCF is ready to passionately pursue its own mission, at a time when it is meeting an extraordinary need.  We are proud that it has become a healthy and vital member of the local community.”  – Linda Mead, President & CEO, D&R Greenway Land Trust
Painting of Capital City Farm by D&R Greenway Board Vice Chair James Fiorentino
Part of our Portraits of Preservation virtual exhibit here. Order prints at info@drgreenway.org.
Sales support our mission to preserve land and farms in the Garden State.

 

BACKGROUND:

D&R Greenway Land Trust, an accredited nonprofit, is close to reaching a new milestone of 21,000 acres of land preserved since 1989. By preserving land for life and creating public trails, it gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. The land trust’s preserved farms and community gardens provide local organic food for our neighbors—including those most in need. Through strategic land conservation and stewardship, D&R Greenway combats climate change, protects birds and wildlife, and ensures clean drinking water for future generations. D&R Greenway’s mission is centered in connecting land with people from all walks of life.

D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center, home to its art galleries in Princeton, is currently closed to ensure health and safety due to COVID.  D&R Greenway Land Trust, One Preservation Place, Princeton NJ 08540

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Our Mission: To Preserve & Care for Land and Inspire a Conservation Ethic, Now and Forever

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