Our staple introductory course, taught bi-weekly.

You'll investigate various Urban Agriculture projects around the city, discussing benefits & drawbacks to each one, and hear about what opportunities exist to engage further in this emerging field. You'll also learn about hydroponics, one of the more popular methods for growing food in confined urban environments, and leave having measured out a nutrient solution for your own mini-hydroponic container.

Finally, by taking this course, you'll be invited to join our digital network of researchers, career transitioners, & entrepreneurs all exploring topics around the future of sustainable food systems.

What past participants have said:

"I knew I would learn about hydroponics, but walked away with so much more!" -Elyssa, 7/30/17

"I left the class more excited than ever to learn how I can find my role in the urban agricultural movement." - Kevin, 11/29/17

Our first in a 3-part series, this class will examine the science behind aquaponics.

• What considerations need to be taken into account to ensure a healthy operation?
• How does each living organism survive and add value to the larger ecosystem?
• How does the nutrient cycle work?
• How is balance achieved?

You'll learn all this and more, from the comforts of AgTech X - New York's only co-working lab dedicated to sustainable food & agriculture (coffee included!)

About the Instructor

Yemi Amu is the co-founder of Oko Farms and the Farm Manager at the Moore Street Farm. She directs all of Oko Farms' programs including education,  design/build projects and community related activities. She has facilitated the creation and maintenance of 20 edible spaces (in NYC) at schools and community organizations including a rooftop farm in Crown Heights and a 1/4 acre farm at the Weeksville Heritage Center that included poultry and bees. 

The second of a 3-class series. Start the day with a DIY aquaponics build at AgTech X, where you'll learn how to construct and break down your own home system. Then take a hands-on tour of Oko Farms, where you'll get to observe up-close this unique outdoor aquaponics facility. Finally, you'll leave with a full materials list and the confidence to get your own home system up and running.

[Rain date will be 11/10 after Class 3]

About the Instructor

Yemi Amu is the co-founder of Oko Farms and the Farm Manager at the Moore Street Farm. She directs all of Oko Farms' programs including education,  design/build projects and community related activities. She has facilitated the creation and maintenance of 20 edible spaces (in NYC) at schools and community organizations including a rooftop farm in Crown Heights and a 1/4 acre farm at the Weeksville Heritage Center that included poultry and bees. 

Back for Round 3 of this popular class!

This class will give you the tools and knowledge to make a rooftop farm or green space possible on a variety of budgets. You'll leave with a deeper understanding for how building type, creative design, and available resources can help you create a realistic plan for turning grey into green.

We will cover:

• Successful rooftop green space - a range of examples
• Possibilities for your building - what’s legal
• The Department of Buildings and your Certificate of Occupancy
• Understanding common building structures and loads
• The anatomy of a successful design team
• How to select and work with your structural engineer
• Tools to maximize your greenspace from layout optimization to load reduction
• Step by step project case study
• Project costs

About the Instructor: Eugene Gurevich, PE, LEED AP, is a Senior Structural Engineer at RAND Engineering & Architecture, DPC, as well as a guest lecturer at City College of New York.

*This class is eligible for AIA certification for 1-hour continuing education credit (AIA CES).

In our final class of this 3-part series, you'll learn best practices for making decisions about your operation as well as troubleshooting issues that may arise.

• What types of fish make sense to raise based on your environment?
• How do you attract the bacteria needed to break down your fish waste?
• What plants can be grown in an aquaponics system?

You'll get answers to all this and much more.

About the Instructor

Yemi Amu is the co-founder of Oko Farms and the Farm Manager at the Moore Street Farm. She directs all of Oko Farms' programs including education,  design/build projects and community related activities. She has facilitated the creation and maintenance of 20 edible spaces (in NYC) at schools and community organizations including a rooftop farm in Crown Heights and a 1/4 acre farm at the Weeksville Heritage Center that included poultry and bees.