SKY FARM LIC

 

VBGCQ acquired a rooftop farm in the summer of 2023!

Sky Farm LIC (SFLIC) is a 1 acre rooftop farm and education program run by the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens (VBGCQ), located in Long Island City. Over the course of each season we grow over 4,000 pounds of food which we distribute totally for free to VBGCQ families and farm guests, and reach over 1,200 students and community members through our free programming. SFLIC offers a variety of programs including After School and Summer Camp to VBGCQ families, as well as field trips to schools in Queens and surrounding boroughs, farm tours for NYC clubs and organizations, and special events for the public.  

To see updated information about our programs and learn how to book them, please visit our program site, linked below. 

https://sites.google.com/varietyboysandgirlsclub.org/sflicprograms/home 

To ask a question, please contact this email: sfliceducation@varietyboysandgirlsclub.org

What is a rooftop farm? 

A farm on a rooftop! Using organic farming techniques and special lightweight “soil” otherwise known as a growing medium, we grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers from May to November. 

How much food do you grow up there? Where does it go? 

We grow over 4,000 pounds of food annually! More than 75% is given to VBGCQ. Excess is given away to LaGuardia Community College and Astoria Food Pantry, and shared with our farm guests. Keep an eye on this number, it goes up every year!

Our Mission

To create transformative learning experiences in urban agriculture that connect food, community, and sustainability. Through our rooftop farm, we grow nutritious food, steward the land responsibly, and explore the connections between agriculture, home economics, the arts, and the sciences

Core Values

  • Inclusivity

  • Kindness

  • Curiosity

  • Care

  • Resiliency & Optimism 

  • Critical Thinking   

  • Responsible Stewardship

  • Commitment to Community 

Meet the Farm Team

Farm Manager, Alexa Curnutte (she/her)

Alexa Curnutte has been farming for nearly six years across diverse landscapes—from rooftop gardens to ground farms, spanning the high desert of Central Oregon to the coastal edges of Long Island.

Born in North Carolina, Alexa majored in Creative Writing at Interlochen Arts Academy in Northern Michigan and was named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts in 2017. After graduating, her journey took her to Hawaii, Oregon, and finally New York, where she immersed herself in the world of food. She's worked as a grill and pastry cook, produce and flower farmer, tractor operator, chicken wrangler, and more—gaining hands-on knowledge with every role. During this time, she also earned a degree in Food Culture and Media from The New School.

When she's not at the farm, Alexa enjoys ice skating, horseback riding, hiking, camping, crafting, and attending writers' workshops.

Farm Crew, Shyanne Washington (she/her) 

Shyanne Washington was born and raised in the Bronx, where her passion for sustainability and environmental education took root. Witnessing the lack of green spaces and limited access to environmental programming in her neighborhood, she felt called to be the change she wanted to see.

After graduating from the Farm School of NYC in 2020, Shyanne dedicated herself to stewarding land, people, and all living things—driven by the belief that our collective efforts can keep the earth habitable for generations to come. She has facilitated educational workshops across all five boroughs, teaching farming and gardening, carpentry, health and wellness, and recycling and reuse practices. She also holds a BS in Dietetics, Food and Nutrition from Lehman College.

When she's not gardening, Shyanne enjoys cooking, reading, making music, and knitting.

Thank you to our partners!