Public Education Programs
Experience the farm in a different way — learn new skills for your garden, kitchen, home & lifestyle. Have ideas for programs you’d like to see? Email us at hello@queensfarm.org to share your ideas for future classes.
Program Menu
For Groups: Insider Tours
Offered Year-round
Available weekday afternoons or weekends
This in-depth tour, led by a farm educator, explores our four season growing operation through visiting our greenhouses, cold frames, growing fields, annual & perennial gardens, and composting area. Get to know our heritage livestock and how they contribute to our integrated, sustainable practices. See what it takes to grow a wide variety of organic crops and to produce value-added items like eggs, yarn, honey and more.
Fee: $12/person
For groups of 5-20 people, ages 16 & up
Raising Backyard Hens
4 dates: Saturday, March 4 & 18, 2023; Sunday, March 12 & 26, 2023
10:00am–12:00pm
More timeslots added as of 3/2/23! March 12, 18 and 26, 1:00pm–3:00pm
Learn what it takes to raise your own chickens in New York City! Led by Queens Farm’s Director of Agriculture, this class will focus on how to keep your own healthy flock of laying hens and collect fresh, delicious eggs straight from the backyard. The course explores the benefits of raising hens, NYC rules and guidelines, flock management, an introduction to different breeds, housing and outdoor space requirements, health maintenance, disease prevention, and cost considerations. Appropriate for those who already keep hens, or for the novice who is interested in starting a flock. A visit to our chicken coops will bring the learning experience to life. This program is presented in partnership with Northwell Health, Queens Farm’s Health & Wellness partner.
This program is FREE; Pre-registration required
This class is part of the Public Education Program at Queens Farm and is open to ages 18+.
To learn more about Raising Backyard Hens, check out USDA’s Defend the Flock Resource Center, USDA’s Raising Healthy Backyard Chickens Broadcast, and Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Backyard Chickens Resource Page. Download the NYS Wildlife Health Program’s Avian Influenza Fact Sheet here.
Planning Your Veggie Garden
Saturday, March 25, 2023
10:00am–12:00pm
Build the skills you need to grow your own food! Interested in growing food, but not sure how to start? Through this class you will learn the basics from Queens Farm’s experienced farmers so you can plan your vegetable garden with confidence. Get useful tips on how to turn any backyard site into a garden, choose your crops, propagate plants, care for seedlings, encourage pollinators, and more. The class will emphasize organic methods so that you can grow fresh, healthy food that’s as good for your body as it is for the planet.
Fee: $48/person; Pre-registration required
This class is part of the Public Education Program at Queens Farm and is open to ages 18+.
Art on the Farm Series: Watercolor, Pen & Ink
4 dates: Thursday, June 1; 8; 15; 22, 2023
10:00am–1:00pm
Find your inner artist on the idyllic grounds of Queens Farm! Experiment in the media of watercolor and pen & ink with the farm landscape as your inspiration. Queens-based artist Denis Ponsot will provide guidance and live demo tips, tricks and techniques. Beginning and experienced students are welcome and classes are relaxed and flexible to help each student develop their own style. Supply list will be emailed to students in advance of class.
Fee: $170/person for full series; $45/person for single class; Pre-registration required
This class is part of the Public Education Program at Queens Farm and is open to ages 15+.
Cheesemaking 101
2 dates: Wednesday, June 7; 14, 2023
6:00pm–8:30pm
Say cheese! The art of cheesemaking dates back thousands of years. This introductory, hands-on class with cheese aficionado Carol Johnson of Monger’s Palate will guide you through this rich history and teach you the science behind your curds and whey. Practice making two types of delicious soft cheese and leave with samples, recipes, and clear instructions to confidently make cheese in your own kitchen.
Fee: $55/person; Pre-registration required
This class is part of the Public Education Program at Queens Farm and is open to ages 18+.
Root to Rise: Farm Yoga
4 dates: Saturday, June 3; 10; 17; 24, 2023
10:00am–11:00am
We welcome you to relax and unwind in this free 4-part wellness series outdoors on the farm. Flow through 60 minutes of Vinyasa yoga with instructor Theresa Rossini. Guided breathing and movement through dynamic poses will leave you feeling refreshed and de-stressed. Open to practitioners of all experience levels. This program is presented in partnership with Northwell Health, Queens Farm’s Health & Wellness partner.
This program is FREE; Pre-registration required
This class is part of the Public Education Program at Queens Farm and is open to ages 15+.
Urban Beekeeping
Saturday, June 24, 2023
10:00am–12:00pm
Get the buzz on bees at the largest apiary in NYC. This workshop is designed for beginners and will cover the basic biology and anatomy of honey bees as well as apiculture essentials such as colony care, honey extraction, parts of the hive, beekeeping equipment, and disease prevention. We will review the mechanics of manipulating the different hive components as well as cover strategies for colony management throughout the cycle of the seasons.
Fee: $40/person; Pre-registration required
This class is part of the Public Education Program at Queens Farm and is open to ages 18+.
Apiary Talks: Milk & Honey Month
4 dates in June, TBA
10:00am–12:00pm
June is Milk & Honey Month at Queens Farm! Meet the beekeeper during this informal Q&A and find out what’s buzzing in our hives this season.
This program is FREE
This offering is part of the Public Education Program at Queens Farm and is open to all ages.
Wild Edibles
Thursday, August 10, 2023
6:00pm–7:30pm
See your environment with fresh eyes on this guided edible plant walk! Queens Farm is host to a variety of wild edible plants in our woodlands, pollinator gardens, and pathway edges. Join plant expert and author Marie Viljoen for this outdoor exploration of the farm and learn to safely identify and sustainably harvest wild, seasonal ingredients. We’ll discuss the evolving ethics of foraging, how to collect native wild plants, pollution issues, invasive versus native plants, and biodiversity — all tying into Marie’s approach of conservation foraging. The walk ends with a refreshing, wild-inspired drink. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a water bottle, and a notebook and/or camera to document your discoveries.
Fee: $55/person; Pre-registration required
This class is part of the Public Education Program at Queens Farm and is open to 18+.
18th Century Hearth Cooking
Saturday, November 4, 11, 2023
11:00am–2:00pm
Experience historic cookery at Queens Farm. Join us in the kitchen of our historic farmhouse and learn how early settlers prepared food using an open hearth. Original 18th-century recipes, seasonal ingredients, traditional cooking utensils, and the warm embers of the fire will bring history to life as participants assist in preparing and sampling several delightful dishes. Participants will receive modern adaptations of all recipes to try at home.
Fee: $48/person; Pre-registration required
This class is part of the Public Education Program at Queens Farm and is open to ages 18+.
Wreathmaking Workshop
Two weekends: December 2, 3, 9, & 10, 2023
10:00AM – 12:00PM & 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Craft your own bespoke evergreen wreath! No experience necessary. We’ll show you the ropes and provide the materials; just bring your own garden shears. Queens Farm has been offering this signature holiday event for over 30 years.
Ticket price includes evergreen boughs, 1 wire wreath frame, floral wire, and 1 red bow. (Note: Ticket does NOT include pruners/shears or additional embellishments.)
For ages 18 & up
Online Tickets Only: $38
Farm Members entitled to $5 off this program; Email hello@queensfarm.org to confirm your membership & receive Member promo code.
Adriance Farmhouse Tours
Select weekends year-round
11:00am–4:00pm
Tour the historic Adriance Farmhouse and learn all about the oldest surviving structure on Queens County Farm Museum’s property! Queens Farm exemplifies the 300-year history of agriculture and farming as a way of life in New York City. The restored Adriance Farmhouse, the centerpiece of the farm complex, was first built as a three-room Dutch farmhouse in 1772. The farmhouse and surrounding area mirror the evolution of this unique tract of land from a colonial homestead to a truck farm that served the needs of a growing city in the early twentieth century.
This program is FREE
This offering is part of the Public Education Program at Queens Farm and is open to all ages.
