Finca La Florecita
Contact Us
Room: M-Building, M-141
Phone: (718) 482-5995
casa@lagcc.cuny.edu
Monday- Friday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Upcoming Events
Finca La Florecita is an urban farm located at LaGuardia Community College, the first institution in New York City to offer an Associate of Science in Sustainable Urban Agriculture. In Spanish, Finca La Florecita translates to “Little Flower Farm”—an homage to the college’s namesake, Fiorello LaGuardia, whose first name is “Little Flower” in Italian.
Finca La Florecita serves as a dynamic center for hands-on learning, community engagement, and sustainability, rooted in the principles of regenerative agriculture—a holistic approach that not only maintains but restores the land. Featuring 21 raised beds, a Gothic high tunnel, a three-bin composting system, and a rainwater harvesting system, Finca La Florecita blends innovation with practical education.
Our Mission
Our mission is to cultivate the next generation of Urban STEM agricultural leaders by offering educational and career pathways in agriculture, soil science, food justice, and urban ecosystem enhancement. We also work to strengthen social bonds within our community while addressing food insecurity by providing fresh, nutrient-dense produce to the college’s food pantry.
A Learning Lab
The farm is a vital part of the AS degree in Environmental Science: Sustainable Urban Agriculture option, serving as an outdoor classroom where students engage in courses such as:
- Soil Science: Learning about soil health and its role in regenerative agriculture.
- Principles of Botany: Understanding plant biology in an urban environment.
- Sustainable Urban Agriculture: Exploring food systems, climate impact, and sustainable growing methods.
- Sustainable Vegetable Production: Applying techniques to produce nutrient-dense crops.
- Hydroponic Research: Growing crops in a soil-less medium and comparing growth rates by modifying nutrient medium.
- 21 Raised Beds: Growing a diverse range of vegetables with seasonality, soil enrichment, crop rotation, and food sovereignty as cornerstone.
- Gothic High Tunnel: Protecting crops and extending the growing season, our four-season high tunnel is 20’W x 48’L x 14’H. Additional features include:
- Roll-up sidewalls;
- Swale around the outside of the tunnel to prevent collecting rainwater from the runoff;
- Exhaust and circulation fans with louvers controlled by a thermostat; and
- Drip irrigation system.
- Composting System: Recycling organic waste to nourish the soil.
- Rainwater Harvesting System: Capturing and using rainwater to irrigate the farm.
Our Impact
Our farm has had transformative impacts since its inception:
- Twenty percent increase in Sustainable Urban Agriculture .
- Over 570 students have engaged in AgSTEM career events on-campus in 2024.
- Produced 178 lb. of fresh, organic produce to stock at the LaGuardia CARES Food Pantry (in just 8 months!).
- 87% of students who have attended our events reported confidence in applying agriculture knowledge to their future careers.
- Our degree is articulated with SUNY Cobleskill and Brooklyn College.
- Our farm has hosted students and collaborators from the LAGCC Fine Arts, TV and Film, and Photography programs, as well as the Health Sciences department.
- We collaborate with the Long Island City Boys and Girls Club and Sky Farms.
- Our curriculum is funded and supported in part by the USDA Hispanic Serving Institution grant.
- We have a new lecturer who has joined our crew – Chelsea Encababian.
Join Us
Want to be part of the next generation of urban agricultural leaders? Here’s how you can get involved:
- Students: Explore our degree programs in Environmental Science and Sustainable Urban Agriculture.
- Partners: Collaborate with us to provide internships and career pathways for students.
- Community Members: Attend events, support urban agriculture efforts, or join our farm crew!