Oko Farms looking for new space for its urban farm
The fish and crop make up the urban farming system at the Williamsburg farm that must leave its lot by November.
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Nearly 1,000 fish and the plants they fertilize at Oko Farms need a new home. The urban farm, located at North Third and River streets, has been operating in Williamsburg since 2021. The farm utilizes an aquaponic system where fish waste fertilizes crops, recycling water from the fish tanks to the plant beds.
The farm provides fresh produce to low-income Brooklyn residents while using 80% less water than traditional soil farming. However, they must vacate the property by November.
Twin Trees, the lot’s owner, had invited Oko Farms to temporarily use the space, with a lease that could end at any time. In August, the company exercised its right to terminate the agreement.
“We were caught off guard because we had just signed a new agreement,” said Yemi Amu, the farm’s director. “But I respect that they have plans for development.”
Amu is now working with local organizations and council members to advocate for designated urban farming spaces across the city, to prevent similar situations for other farms. “It would be a disservice not to use this opportunity to ensure no one else has to go through this,” Amu added.
The owners of Twin Trees offered storage space for the farm’s fish through March, but Oko Farms still faces the challenge of relocating their entire operation.
If you’d like to volunteer, you can reach Amu at yemi@okofarms.org
