Clucking chickens, historic barns, and fields of vegetables are not images usually associated with the busy metropolis that is New York City. However, over the East River and through the subways, lies one such pastoral haven in eastern Queens.
Open to the public year round, the Queens County Farm Museum spans over 47 acres of land. It is the only working farm in New York City, and has been in operation since 1697. Like their predecessors over 300 years ago, farmers can be spotted planting and tilling seeds, feeding livestock, and gathering produce across bucolic fields.
“We grow about 2 1/2 acres of organic produce, and probably over 50 different varieties of heirloom and hybrid vegetables,” said Sarah Myers, a buyer for the Queens Farm. “Tomatoes, kale, lettuces, beets, broccoli, cabbage…you name it, we grow pretty much everything.”
Produce is sold on site, and at the Union Square Farmer’s Market in Manhattan. The farm sells more than vegetables too. Eggs and honey are produced locally on the farm, and are in high demand among consumers. “Our honey is super popular here,” says Myers. “I get dozens of people coming in wanting local honey for their allergies.”
In addition, the farm sells it’s own wine, with both red and white grapes that are grown on site. “They’re really good grapes,” said Myers enthusiastically. The grapes from the farm are mixed with grapes from Long Island, and the wine is bottled in Mattitick, NY.
The farm sells three wines: a chardonney, a merlot, and a red blend, which contains cabernet, merlot, and cabernet franc.
The farm is not just popular for its food items. Visitors can be spotted viewing the many animals that live there, including goats, horses, and cows. “It’s just a great place to bring kids,” said Abbi Nori Nelson, as her four-year-old daughter Heidi smiled and waved at sheep in a nearby pen. “It’s really educational. They get to see animals close up.”
Not only can visitors watch the animals, but they also can feed them with bags of alfalfa that the farm sells, thus providing a truly interactive experience. Children are often spotted squealing in delight as goats clamor against fences, licking little hands that hold out food.
“She loves coming here,” said Nelson, as she pointed to her daughter, who now had her face pressed against the pen containing the baaing woolly creatures. “Every time we drive by, she’s like, ‘Oh, let’s go to the farm!’”
The farm is open year round, seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located at 73-50 Little Neck Parkway in Floral Park, Queens. Admission is free, except on occasional weekends, when festivals and events are taking place. An admission fee will then apply. An event calendar can be viewed at the Queens County Farm Museum website.
