By: Pamela Honey
Last week, Murry Bergtraum Educational Campus and Urban Assembly Maker Academy celebrated an incredible milestone with the launch of a state-of-the-art Teens for Food Justice hydroponic urban farm in one of their classrooms. It was a day filled with hope, pride, and big ideas for a greener future. One of the highlights was a powerful speech from Fiona C., a junior who has been part of Maker Eats and Maker Feeds since her freshman year. Fiona’s speech reflected both her deep connection to Maker and her passion for hydroponics as a solution for the future. She opened with a playful nod to Shakespeare, immediately engaging the crowd:
“Friends, Makers, countrymen, lend me your ears. I’ve come to grow plants, not to bury them.”
This mix of humor and sincerity set the stage for her message: this farm isn’t just about growing food—it’s about cultivating knowledge, sustainability, and community. She shared how her love of science fiction fueled her fascination with hydroponics, drawing connections between speculative futures and the real-world innovations happening at Maker today. From The Martian to The Expanse, she highlighted how hydroponic farming plays a critical role in futuristic survival, just as it does in addressing today’s challenges.
Fiona also spoke to the vital role of schools in preparing students for the unknown, likening education to science fiction—both are about imagining and shaping the future while responding to immediate needs. This hydroponics program exemplifies this balance, providing students with hands-on experience in a forward-thinking agricultural system that maximizes space and conserves water.
“By opening this teaching farm, Maker is saying that we need a greener New York City, that makes better use of its urban space to produce the food we need and maximize the resources we have. Students in the new hydroponics track will be prepared to work towards these goals when they graduate high school. That’s for the future.”
But as Fiona emphasized, this farm is not just about what’s ahead—it’s also about the here and now. With the ability to produce over 9,000 pounds of fresh produce each year, the farm will provide nutritious food to the school community, making a tangible impact on food access.
“Having a steady, local supply of fresh fruits and vegetables helps address the ongoing issue of food deserts.”
As Fiona spoke, the excitement in the room was palpable. Her words reminded us that this farm isn’t just a space to grow plants—it’s a place where students grow as advocates for sustainability, innovation, and community health. She perfectly captured the spirit of the day: a celebration of community, innovation, and the next generation of leaders in sustainable urban farming. Her vision and voice are a powerful reminder of what’s possible when young people are given the tools to grow as learners and changemakers.
At Teens for Food Justice, we are proud to partner with schools like Maker to empower students to lead the charge toward a more sustainable and equitable food system. This farm represents a step forward in that mission, and we can’t wait to see how it transforms both the school and the surrounding community.❦
Pamela Honey is the Communications & Content Coordinator at Teens for Food Justice.
