Behind the Scenes: Expanding Our Farm

Take a look at our progress as we transform more urban spaces into productive growing areas. Here's what's happening behind the scenes at Charlotte's Farms.

From One Backyard to Multiple Sites

What started as a small backyard garden has grown into something much bigger. We're excited to share our expansion journey with you.

Site Selection Process

Finding the right locations for urban farming involves several considerations:

Sunlight: We need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

Water Access: Reliable water source for irrigation

Soil Testing: Ensuring the space is safe for food production

Community Support: Partnering with local businesses and residents

Current Expansion Projects

#### Site #2: Commercial Rear Yard

Our second location transforms an unused commercial rear yard into productive growing space:

- 2,000 sq ft of growing area

- 40 raised beds

- Rainwater collection system

- Composting facility

#### Site #3: Rooftop Farm (Coming 2025)

We're planning our first rooftop installation:

- Structural engineering assessment complete

- 1,500 sq ft growing space

- Hydroponic and soil-based systems

- Year-round growing capability

Challenges We've Faced

Soil Contamination

Urban soils often contain contaminants. Our solution:

- Professional soil testing

- Raised bed systems with clean growing medium

- Regular monitoring protocols

Water Management

City water can be expensive and treated. We're addressing this with:

- Rainwater harvesting

- Drip irrigation efficiency

- Greywater recycling systems

Community Integration

Being good neighbors is essential:

- Regular community meetings

- Addressing concerns proactively

- Sharing harvests with neighbors

What's Next?

2025 Goals

- Open 3 new growing sites

- Increase production by 300%

- Launch educational center

- Begin farmers market sales

Long-term Vision

By 2030, we aim to:

- Operate 10+ growing sites across Brooklyn

- Feed 1,000+ families weekly

- Train 100+ new urban farmers

- Become NYC's largest urban farm

Get Involved

Want to be part of our expansion? We need:

- **Volunteers** for site preparation

- **Partners** with available space

- **Sponsors** for new site development

- **Community supporters** spreading the word

Follow our progress and join the movement toward a more sustainable, locally-grown food system in Brooklyn!